COPY OF ALL ADVISORIES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE PANAMA CANAL WEB PAGE AT http://www.pancanal.com FOR ETAS OR DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH OUR OFFICES: REFER TO NOTICE N-3-2010 July 6, 2010 OP’S ADVISORY TO SHIPPING No. A-11-2010 TO : ALL STEAMSHIP AGENTS, OWNERS, AND OPERATORS SUBJECT: 2010 SAFE BOARDING WEEK The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) considers proper boarding facilities to be an absolute necessity to ensure the safety of their personnel, as well as others using these facilities while transiting the Canal. In order to promote awareness and compliance with Canal requirements by vessels in Canal waters, the ACP will hold its Annual “Safe Boarding Week” from July 12 through 16, 2010. During this period, the ACP will emphasize and encourage safe boarding practices on all vessels arriving at the waterway. “Safe Boarding Week” activities will involve inspections of boarding facilities by teams representing groups who normally board vessels, such as Canal Port Captains, Pilots, Transit Vessel Inspectors, Chemists and Emergency Response personnel, Admeasurers, Deckhands as well as ship’s agents. The ACP will continue promoting preventive measures to be taken in order to avoid the tripping hazard created by the retrieving line attached to the pilot ladder as well as the excess portion of the pilot ladders, which is very often laid out on deck. The ACP suggests the use of a box-like structure to be placed over the excess portion of the ladder that may be encountered at the embarkation point on deck. This will provide for a flat, non-slippery surface as persons transfer from the ladder to the deck of the vessel. This structure may be permanent or may be constructed so that it is lightweight and portable allowing for it to be used only as the situation warrants. Vessels at both Cristobal and Balboa anchorages will be boarded to inspect their boarding facility arrangements utilizing the enclosed inspection checklist. Vessels’ Masters will be provided with the results of the inspection. Those vessels deserving special recognition for excellence will be presented with plaques that will be delivered immediately after the inspection. Any vessel with boarding facilities determined to be below accepted standards, will have to correct the deficiencies prior to transit. This document is cancelled automatically for record purposes on July 30, 2010. ORIGINAL SIGNED Manuel E. Benítez Executive Vice-President of Operations Enclosure