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The St Helena Government (SHG) welcomed the proxy audit carried out in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS).
St Helena is part of the Red Ensign Group having a Category 2 Ship Registry whereby standards must be maintained on safety and operational practices as mandated by international requirements.
Under the guidance of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency UK, St Helena’s maritime operations are upheld to comply with safety regulations and international conventions.
Last week, a dedicated team, Richard Pellew, Graeme Carnegie and Jim Morrison, was on island conducting an audit and monitoring visit for St Helena’s maritime activities. This audit stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of our maritime operations.
The Maritime Authority expresses their appreciation to all officials/stakeholders involved for their invaluable support and cooperation throughout this process.
Further information on the IMSAS can be found on the IMO website at https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/MSAS/Pages/Default.aspx
Photo
Minister Jeffrey Ellick with the Maritime Audit Team: Richard Pellew (far left), Graeme Carnegie and Jim Morrison
#StHelena #MaritimeAuthority #IMO #MCA
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The cruise ship Azamara Quest will arrive in St Helena at 08:00 on Saturday 01 March 2025. There are 607 passengers on board.
James Bay is currently experiencing rough, swelly seas which is forecast to persist throughout the weekend. Consequently, the Captain, in liaison with Port Control, will make a decision on whether it is safe to land passengers on Saturday morning.
If able to land, passengers have booked on-island tours. Tours will depart at 09:00 from the Jamestown Wharf.
There is a wide range of nationalities on board, with the main nationalities being: Australian, Canadian, British and American.
It is expected that the passengers will carry the following currencies: Euros, Dollars and Great British Pounds (GBP). Currency exchange rate information is available from the Bank of St Helena and the Tourist Office.
The Azamara Quest will depart St Helena at approximately 18:00.
Temporary One-Way Traffic System
If passengers do come ashore, a temporary one-way traffic system will be in effect from 09:00 to 16:00 to manage increased traffic during the Azamara Quest cruise ship’s visit.
This system, designed to improve safety and reduce congestion, will direct traffic from Gordons Post towards Hutts Gate along Tomb Road. Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction will be diverted from Hutts Gate to Gordons Post via The Dungeon, as shown on the map below.
This is a familiar procedure, used during previous cruise ship visits, and likely to be implemented again in the future.
The one-way route will be clearly signposted and will be removed as soon as it is no longer necessary.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank the public for their understanding in this matter.
Recent sea conditions have again exposed the undersea fibre optic cable pipework which lands at Rupert’s Beach.
The cable itself is undamaged. However, a small amount of the protective housing encasing it remains exposed on the beach, with some of the casing in the waters leading away from the beach detached from the seabed and exposed.
Following a risk assessment, authorities are satisfied that the general public pose little risk to the piping and, with suitable precautions observed, the piping poses little risk to the public.
Whilst it is expected that the regular movement of sand at the beach is likely to naturally rebury the piping in time, the public are advised to take caution when on Rupert’s Beach or when swimming in Rupert’s Bay.
Beach users
There is no risk of electric shock or electric exposure, but the piping does have metal bolts and joins which could cause injury, so members of the public should be mindful when near it. Much like beach rocks, it could pose a trip hazard or a risk of injury were someone to fall onto it.
Swimmers
Members of the public are also advised to avoid swimming near the areas of exposed piping in the water. Whilst it may not look dangerous, swell and waves can quickly drag or push you into the piping, which could then result in injury.
Boat operators
As anchoring could pose a risk to the underwater piping, boat operators are advised that no anchoring is permitted inside of Rupert’s Bay between the end of the Jetty and Birddown. Outside of this area, anchoring should be avoided within 100m either side of the piping.
To report any concerns, please call the Harbour Master on 22750 or VHF Channel 14.
SHG
27 February 2025
The MT Ardberg is scheduled to arrive in St Helena at 14:00 on Wednesday, 26 February 2025. Once clearance is complete, the vessel will dock at Rupert’s Jetty, however, due to the current sea conditions it is not known when bunkering will take place.
The public are therefore advised that the whole of lower Ruperts, including the beach area, will be closed during the time that the ship is docked until the bunkering of fuel is completed. Due to the floating pipeline, all mariners are advised that Rupert’s Bay is also closed.
These areas will be strictly prohibited and access will be limited only to those persons who have made prior arrangements with St Helena Port Control.
The public are thanked in advance for their patience and co-operation.
SHG
25 February 2025
Please be advised that following requests from the public, there will be changes made to Route 1 of the Public Transport Service (PTS) timetable effective from Saturday, 01 March 2025.
Journeys from Bottom Woods into Jamestown will depart 5 minutes earlier. Instead of travelling via Longwood Avenue and Longwood Gate, these journeys will now travel to the lower Deadwood area, via the Colt Sheds Road. Please note that pick-up points into Jamestown from Longwood Gate will remain the same.
Journeys starting from Cape Villa to Bottom Woods will continue as per the published timetables. However, upon arriving at Longwood Gate, the bus will travel to lower Deadwood Haul Road, then on to Longwood Green, and finally to Bottom Woods via Colt Sheds. This will result in an arrival time approximately 5 minutes later than in the published timetables.
The PTS timetables will be updated to reflect these changes and posted on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/public-services/publictransportservice/.
St Helena continues to experience a north-westerly swell which is likely to continue until 3 March 2025. This may result in unsettled sea conditions in both James and Rupert’s Bay. Boat owners are advised to ensure their vessels are securely moored during this period.
Swimmers should exercise extreme caution when entering the water in James and Rupert’s Bay and refrain from using life rings and other lifesaving equipment for recreational swimming.
Vehicle owners are advised to avoid parking near the rails on the seafront and individuals are asked to use caution when in close proximity to the railings due to the potential risk of wave overspray and associated hazards.
The Emergency Planning Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further updates as needed.
The MV Karoline is scheduled to arrive at James Bay at 10:00 on Monday 24 February 2025. Weather permitting the vessel will dock alongside Rupert’s Jetty and cargo operations will commence as soon as practicable.
The public are therefore advised that the Port of Jamestown and whole of lower Ruperts including the beach area, will be closed from 08:30 on Monday 24 February 2025, until all cargo operations are completed.
These areas will be strictly prohibited and access will be limited to those who have made prior arrangements with St Helena Port Control.
Boat owners and operators are advised that mooring on the ‘span’ mooring rope near the landing steps at the Jamestown Wharf is prohibited for the duration of cargo operations.
The public are thanked in advance for their patience and co-operation.
The Highways Authority has approved a road closure on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, from 09:00 to 15:00. The closure will affect the section of road from the top of Rosemary Plain to Sunnyside Junction. This is to facilitate tree removal by the Forestry Section.
Emergency services will have access as needed. The Forestry Section apologises for any inconvenience caused and thanks the public for their understanding and co-operation.
The Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio (ESE) will be hosting Careers Fair 2025 on Thursday, 20 March 2025 at New Horizons and the Leisure Park. The fair will open at 11:00 and close at 19:00. Emergency Services will be located in the Mule Yard.
The aim of the fair is to provide attendees with essential career advice, explore employment opportunities, and promote career development.
This event brings together employers, business owners and representatives from a wide range of organisations to showcase various career paths.
Whether you are looking for career advice to help guide your professional journey, seeking hands-on experience and potential employment opportunities with business representatives, or eager to explore a diverse career path, Careers Fair 2025 has something for you.
There are still stalls available for registration, however, spaces are limited. To secure a spot, please contact the Career Access Office by telephone on 25832 or email Career Access Manager, Glen Yon, at Glen.Yon@sainthelena.gov.sh or Support Officer and Placement Co-ordinator, Sherrilee Phillips, at Sherrilee.Phillips@sainthelena.gov.sh.
ESE encourages interested parties to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
St Helena is forecast to experience a north-westerly swell from Friday, 21 to Monday, 24 February 2025. This may result in unsettled sea conditions in both James and Rupert’s Bay. Boat owners are urged to ensure their vessels are securely moored during this period.
Swimmers should exercise extreme caution when entering the water in James Bay and Rupert’s Bay.
Vehicle owners are advised to avoid parking near the rail on the seafront and individuals are asked to use caution when in close proximity to the railings due to the potential risk of wave overspray and associated hazards.
The Emergency Planning Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further updates as needed.