Gibraltar authorizes bunkering on East side, 'in good weather and light'

GIBRALTAR (EuropaSur) After much debate on either side of the Frontier, Gibraltar is authorizing bunkering on the East side of the Rock, but only in daylight, in good lighting and weather. The measure is aimed at boosting Gibraltar's important bunkering business. The Port Authority Handbook points out that Government first mooted the prospect in June last year, following an Environmental Impact report on the possibility, providing the same precautionary measures were taken as on the Western side. The final go-ahead is based on a new vigilance system presented recently;>
At the beginning of January the Port Authority presented a latest generation VTS system, in which it invested £700,000, that will allow for improvements to maritime safety on both sides, as well as optimizing port space, commercial capabilitie and rescue operations. bThe system will permit officers to identify and track each and every vesel appeaing on screen, the image on which which is updated every 20 seconds. Complementary to the VTS is a CCTV system that covers all moorings, also on both sides of the Rock, and also allows computer billing, up-to-the-minute information on port activities, among other things.