Contact: Tony Clatworthy, tel 01489 576387

email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report summarises the activities and events on the river from 27 June 2003 to date. It also briefs Members of progress with various projects being undertaken.

2. Report

2.1 The river has been patrolled daily by the duty staff from 0600 hours through to 2200 hours. From 5 September the Harbour Office commenced the winter routine and was manned from 0700 hours to 1830 hours. Every Sunday has been very busy, with good weather encouraging another last trip of the season. The Harbour Staff have responded to a number of incidents throughout the period, those of note are reported below. A full record of responses carried out by patrols is attached as Appendix 1.

Incidents

2.2 At approximately 2115 hours on the evening of 31 July 2003, a patrol discovered a cow stuck in the mud in the upper Hamble. The RSPCA was immediately contacted, who then called Hampshire Fire and Rescue. A total of 38 people were involved in the rescue of the animal, finally removing the cow from the mud at 0130 hours.

2.3 On 3 August the patrol pumped out a 12.2 metre vessel found sinking on the public moorings. The vessel was in imminent danger of sinking as the water was up to the deck level. The vessel was removed from the water and the owner informed.

2.4 On 24 July a patrol boat rescued a drifting yacht found at the entrance to the river, a HUNTER Delta 25 foot that had broken free. The vessel was secured and the owner informed.

2.5 On 2 September two small fishing boats were seen illegally fishing in the area of D12-13. As the patrol officer was single handed he was unable to carry out any further investigation. Fisheries Protection was called, who met the two vessels when they arrived back at their dock on the River Itchen.

2.6 On 7 September, Mr Stuart Simms (80 years old) whilst getting aboard his boat fell from his tender into the river. He had been returning to his vessel alone. He was in the water for half-an-hour before being rescued. He did not have a life jacket on.

2.7 On 25 September, Ocean Scene came alongside the Harbour Master's Jetty at Warsash to allow a casualty to be taken off in an emergency situation. The casualty was an 80 year old gentleman who had suffered a stroke. Harbour Authority staff gave immediate first aid until the arrival of the ambulance.

2.8 On 5 October a petrol fuel spill was reported from Port Hamble. At first it was believed to be a large spill therefore the Fire and Rescue was requested to attend the scene. The incident occurred during a refuelling operation from a road tanker. The barge was closed for 24 hours to allow for residual fuel evaporation and it was confirmed that approximately only 5 to 10 litres had been lost. The Harbour Authority have now inspected the updated risk assessment and the re-written operational procedures and staff training programme.

2.9 On 5 October, a 40 foot vessel sank whilst alongside the Elephant boatyard outer pontoon. The vessel was successfully recovered with the aid of divers and lifted from the water.

2.10 On 18 October, at approximately 12.50 pm, the yacht "McCloud" collided with a yacht on fore and aft moorings (HB95c) "Mina". The harbour patrol took photographs of the damage and contacted the owner of "Mina" to inform him of the damage.

2.11 On 1 November, a vessel (33 foot yacht ) broke away from its moorings and was driven ashore in the high winds. It was re-floated on 2 November.

2.12 On 1 November , a vessel (30 foot) broke away from its moorings and was found partially adrift by the harbour patrol and re-secured.

3. Daniel Nolan

3.1 Sadly, following an investigation by the police and the conclusion of DNA testing, it has been confirmed that the human remains found on the south Dorset coast were those of Daniel Nolan, who went missing from the Hamble Jetty on the night of New Year's Day 2002.

4. Maintenance

4.1 Winter maintenance has commenced, with vessels moving off in prearranged blocks. Moorings have been made available on the visitors' pontoon for any displaced vessels and pontoons.

4.2 Upper Hamble Country Park jetty has been the subject of vandalism and damage caused by fires and barbeques. The planking has now been replaced by patrol staff.

4.3 Maintenance to the Solent School of Yachting buildings, including the re-painting of the workshop, small building, metal gates and posts, has now been completed.

4.4 Both Harbour Authority patrol vessels have now had the plastic screens replaced with toughened glass, and the dory has been winterised and placed in the workshop.

5. Closed Circuit Television

5.1 This will be the subject of a verbal report.

6. Maintenance Piles and Associated Works

6.1 The maintenance piles at Warsash have now been replaced with new wooden piles. The piles have been driven and spaced to accommodate smaller and medium-sized vessels. Larger vessels will also be able to lay alongside comfortably. The Harbour Staff will fix a depth gauge to two piles indicating water level from the base of the pile. The Harbour Office have received a complaint that the edges of the piles are to severe. Investigations will take place with a view to rounding off the edges at minimal cost.

6.2 Beacon No. 7 has now been drawn and replaced with two metal piles, with the "Welcome to the River Hamble" sign fixed between the piles. The twin piles have been moved approximately 21 metres west into 1.5 metres of water chart datum.

6.3 The plastic pile removed from Beacon No. 7's location has been re-driven to replace the temporary starboard hand mark at the ferry hard Warsash side. The triangle will be removed from the redundant marker and banded to the new post.

7. Planning Consents Update

7.1 An updated version of this publication will be distributed at the meeting.

8. Schedule of Decisions

8.1 A schedule of formal decisions made by the Executive Member for the Environment is attached to this report as Appendix 2.

9. Dredging Plan

9.1 The works order for phase 1 of the Dredging Plan has been placed with ABP mer at a total cost of £12,065. The timescale will hopefully mean completion of phase 1 by the end of February 2004 at the latest. A meeting of the steering group will then be held to confirm the way ahead.

10. Visitors Centre/Solent School of Yachting Building

10.1 Hampshire County Council's Professional Services have been requested to carry out an investigation of all reasonable business options available, and work is well underway. From this investigation a business plan will be written and decisions will then be made. Attached to this report as Appendix 3 is the option appraisal progress report from the consultancy.

11. M27 Run-Off

11.1 Following ongoing talks with the Environment Agency and the Highways Department a verbal update report covering this subject will be given at the meeting.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8425A/TC

APPENDIX 1

RESPONSES TO INCIDENTS May 2003 through to October 2003