If any vessel, oil terminal or construction operation is in danger or distress through fire, explosion, collision, stranding or whatever cause within the Petroleum Ports limit, the Master or Person in charge shall immediately report the fact by the quickest means to the Port Control/VTIS. The Port Controller/VTIS will inform the Harbour Master immediately.
This emergency communication should be achieved, if possible, by VHF radio channel 16 and 9 and the call prefixed with the words “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY” or by the shore port telephone system.
The Port has tugs available that are fitted with fire-fighting gear and maintain a listening watch on VHF channel 09,16 and 21.
The Master of the vessel or the person in charge shall also take such steps as may remove or abate the danger or distress until further assistance arrives, provided that no ship shall move from its berth for the purpose unless so instructed by the Harbour Master.
For emergency assistance in the case of an incident or accident on board and to order and to alert the police, fire fighters, ambulances department /ambulance service) or patrol vessel of the Port Authority, directly contact the VTIS / Port Control. Details to be reported: name of ship, name and number of berth, nature of calamity.
VTIS station is installed in Ruwais Port Control Room;
VHF frequencies as follows:
Ruwais Marine / Port Control and Fire tugs: VHF radio channel 21/16/9 24/7.
Telephone: Ruwais: Tel: +971 260-21606 / 21607 & Fax No.00971 260-21600
"Port Operations: Tel. +971 2 6021666/6021777".
Email : pparuwais@adnoc.ae
The Master of the vessel or the person in charge shall also take such steps as may remove or abate the danger or distress until further assistance arrives, provided that no ship shall move from its berth for the purpose unless so instructed by the Harbour Master.
For vessels at an OPCO, the Terminal provides the vessel with its own emergency procedures and contacts. For this information, see the appropriate website.
Fire-fighting equipment, instruments and tools, including main fire pumps and emergency pumps, shall be ready for immediate use. The ship’s Master shall be responsible for ensuring that all on board the ship is aware of the shore fire-fighting arrangements.
Firefighting / pollution control/berthing tugs and Mooring Boats are always available at Ruwais. All the port tugs are fitted with foam / water monitors, international shore connections and dispersant spray booms.
The coordinating centre for the port is the Port Control, VHF 9 / 16
Each Terminal within the Port has its’ own emergency procedures. For further details refer to the terminal handbooks.
In the event of any of the above, the Port Authority must be immediately informed by all available means. Details to be reported: name of ship, position, nature of situation. See section 2.2 for contact details.
In the event that pollution of the Port water occurs, regardless of the cause, the person in charge or responsible for the operation, work or location where the pollution was initiated should immediately report the incident to the Port Control/VTIS.
The Master of the vessel concerned or the person in charge shall also take such steps as may stop further pollution and contain or clean up any spillage of oil, etc. on the vessel’s deck or terminal surfaces to minimize the fire hazard.
Masters are advised that the use of dispersant chemicals for response to oil pollution on the sea is prohibited.
All Vessels should have their oil spill response materials in a stand-by condition near the manifold.
Vessels using terminals are required to observe the International Conventions relating to pollution of the sea and are advised that violations will involve the Master, Owner and Agent in severe fines.
Owners and vessel operators shall be liable for all expenditure incurred in the clean-up operations.
All port users and operators are advised that the failure to report a pollution incident is an offence and persons found contravening this requirement will be prosecuted in Abu Dhabi Courts and be liable to heavy fines.
If any person suffers a serious injury or sickness within the port limits and immediate medical attention becomes necessary, the master of the vessel concerned or the person in charge of the location shall notify the emergency to the Port Control of the respective port in a similar manner as the provisions of reporting of an emergency. Masters of all vessels are hereby advised that a brief but clear description of the injury or sickness must be stated at the time of reporting.
The Master of any vessel within the port for which medical or police assistance is required, shall make a request for such assistance through the Harbour Master / Agent. The transferring arrangement of the ship’s crew will be under the ship’s agents’ responsibility.
The Port “MEDIVAC / CASEVAC” system for such emergencies will be put into immediate effect by the Port Control.
In the event a crew member has to be disembarked for hospitalization, the following items should accompany the casualty:
Masters of vessels which are not berthed alongside Petroleum ports jetties, should prepare invalid cases for landing in a fast launch or for picking up by helicopter, e.g. Neil Robertson stretcher, and afford a weather lee (if possible) in adverse weather conditions.
A medical Officer and hospital facility are available, subject to the Company’s discretion, to vessel’s crews.
Charges for attention, treatment and associated facilities are billed to the vessel account. Request for the medical attention must be made through the Harbour Master.
The ship’s agent should notify the hospital in advance.
An Agency representative will accompany any casualty/interpreter to the hospital, and the casualty/interpreter will not be permitted to visit any other facilities.
A duly filled up Fire Notice in the following format must be prominently displayed on the vessel.