Contact: Tony Clatworthy, tel 01489 576387

email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report summarises the activities and events on the river from 20 April 2005. Any incidents taking place after this report is distributed will be reported verbally.

2. Corporate Strategy

2.1 This report supports Aims 1 to 5 of the Corporate Strategy (Maximising Life Opportunities, Stewardship of the Environment, Achieving Economic Prosperity, Building Strong and Safe Communities and Improving Services) by contributing to the statutory duties entailed in the management of the River Hamble.

3. Report

3.1 The River has been patrolled daily from 0830 to 1830 hours during April and from 0600 to 2359 hours since 1 May by the duty harbour master and coxswains.

4. Incidents

4.1 On 26 April the Duty Harbour Master completed a report for violence and aggression following a refusal to pay visitors' mooring fees. The yacht `Rosa Maria' was pursued by the Duty Harbour Master who was eventually successful in collecting mooring and visitors' fees. The Police Marine Unit was informed and spoke to the man involved.

4.2 On 2 May at approximately 0300 hours, a 24 foot cabin cruiser hit pile G68. This is immediately downstream from Mercury marina on the western bank of the river. The impact was at a speed estimated to be above 20 knots causing the following damage: navigation light; both moorings irons bent and not serviceable; and the pontoon damaged beyond repair. Other costs involved the removal of the downstream pontoon and boats to allow repairs. This incident is the subject of action by the Marine Police Unit of Hampshire Police. Harbour Authority costs have been recovered.


The Harbour Authority received a file from Hampshire Police on the incident and Marine Enforcement has been instructed to act on the Harbour Authority's behalf regarding the possibility of a further prosecution.

4.3 On 20 May Solent Coastguard requested information on a speed boat named `Maid of Ale' which had been manoeuvring at speed very close to other boats in the Solent. The Duty Patrol located the vessel and reported the details to the Coastguard.

4.4 On 30 May two jet skiers (personal water craft/PWC) were pursued on the river. Speeds exceeding 30 knots were estimated before they were stopped. Court action is being pursued by the Marine Police Unit of Hampshire Police.

4.5 Also on 30 May the Duty Harbour Master was informed of a fire on Hook Spit and on further investigation informed the Coastguard that the Fire Brigade should attend. The patrol boat, after beaching at Hook, also retrieved a young boy who required first aid and brought him to the Harbour Office to attend to his injuries His parents were also in attendance.

4.6 On 31 May the Duty Patrol was unable to stop a PWC travelling too fast on the river. The PWC exited the river before the patrol was able to take any action.

4.7 On 2 June the Duty Harbour Master witnessed a small white RIB travelling at speeds in excess of 20 knots in the Upper Hamble. The patrol pursued the RIB until it disappeared under the bridge at Curdridge. The patrol boat was unable to follow and waited until 2355 hours but the RIB did not return. No further action was taken.

4.8 On 10 June the Harbour Office received a call from Solent Coastguard informing the Authority that a small cabin cruiser was reported as being on fire at the entrance to the river. The Coastguard helicopter had been scrambled and the lifeboat from Calshot was in the process of being launched at that time. A patrol boat was dispatched and heard the distressed vessel issue a `May Day' while en route to the scene. On arrival at the scene the situation was quickly assessed and it was decided to remove the six passengers and crew (including a child and a pregnant woman) immediately and leave the boat to be recovered and dealt with by the lifeboat on its arrival. The lifeboat was expected within ten minutes. The passengers and crew were recovered to Warsash Jetty along with the boat. On investigation by Fire and Rescue Services a hydraulic pipe was found to have been spraying oil onto the hot engine producing smoke and fumes and on instruction not to enter or look into the compartment by Solent Coastguard a fire was assumed. Following the incident a full investigation took place of the Harbour Authority's actions and responses to ensure procedures remain safe and swift. Following this incident the opportunity was taken to fully liaise with the local Chief Fire Officer and confirm further actions and procedures and to organise a joint exercise both on the water and at the slipway at Warsash.

4.9 Three incidents occurred on 19 June. At 1320 hours a very small tender being rowed with one elderly gentleman aboard was in collision with a yacht just off the Harbour Master's Jetty at Warsash. The tender capsized and the elderly gentleman was thrown into the water. The emergency ladder on the Harbour Master's Jetty was used by the man to recover himself to the jetty. The tender was recovered by the owner, bailed out and immediately proceeded downstream. The yacht was in the process of coming alongside at the time of the collision. The yachts helmsman did not see the tender prior to the accident. The tender was very small with a very low freeboard. At the time of the accident the river was very busy with yachts and dinghies and the patrol had been engaged in other activities and was therefore unable to speak to the gentleman who disappeared, rowing downstream. The patrol was only able to record the incident from witnesses in the area. The person in the tender was not wearing a lifejacket and did not take advantage of using the route under the walkway bridge which would have guided him through a safer and less congested area. At the time of the incident the tide was ebbing with calm conditions and good visibility.

4.10 At 1830 hours the Duty Patrol received a report from Solent Patrol (SP) that a RIB with no-one aboard was going around in very fast circles. The location was reported as at the entrance to the river near Hamble Point, South Cardinal Mark. HM Coastguard had been informed. As there was a danger that people might be in the water, the patrol boat attended at full speed. On arrival at the scene the RIB was still proceeding at speed in circles and the crew had been picked up by a passing yacht. On hitting a large wave both crew had been thrown out of the boat. Unfortunately a `KILL CORD' had not been used which might have saved the crew's lives if the boat had come back at them. The patrol boat attempted to halt the RIB by laying a mooring warp in its path, with a fender tied to the end, but this failed. The decision was taken to ram the RIB with the Calshot Lifeboat, which was successful. The RIB and crew were then recovered to Warsash Harbour Master's Jetty.

4.11 At 2330 hours the patrol received instructions from HM Coastguard that the yacht `Hangover II' had gone aground off Hamble Spit and lost one person overboard who they were unable to recover at that time. The patrol boat proceeded from Bursledon Pool to the Hamble Spit at speed, with the blue light and siren when required. Although after dark it was decided by the crew that visibility was excellent because of a near full moon and a quick response was required as a person was reported as being lost overboard. The person was recovered from the water and another crew member was quickly taken to the Harbour Master's Jetty suffering from a heart attack. Calshot Inshore Lifeboat and Lifeboat then arrived and assisted with medical aid until the arrival of the ambulance team who then evacuated the casualty to hospital at 0045 hours. The ambulance was called by the patrol at 2350 hours and did not arrive until 0040 hours.

5. Dinghy Sailing and Ownership of Risks

5.1 A number of risks involving dinghy sailing and dinghy racing from the Warsash Sailing Club line have been identified. Following a meeting with the Commodore of the Warsash Sailing Club it was agreed that ownership of the risks should be shared between the Harbour Authority and the Warsash Sailing Club. Therefore a number of procedures have been introduced to manage the risks. A letter to the Commodore of Warsash Sailing Club, along with copies of the Risk Assessment Notice to River Users and agreed procedures to help manage the identified risks, are attached as an appendix. The letter states that the Harbour Authority supports dinghy sailing and will do all within its power to ensure dinghy sailing continues as a safe activity in the river.

6. Audits and Inspections

6.1 The Harbour Authority has undergone the following Audits and inspections with excellent results:

(i) Trinity House: navigational marks and lights inspection; and

(ii) Marine Coastguard Agency: oil spill response plan.

7. Training

7.1 A full training programme for members of staff was completed after the 20 April 2005 meeting of the Management Committee. Training was supplied from outside agencies and also in-house training from Hampshire County Council. Courses undertaken included:

(i) Advance risk assessment no cost;

(ii) Oil spill response management and beach master

(required under the oil spill regulations) £2,667;

(iii) Fire fighting £1,578;

(iv) Computer courses no cost;

(v) Health and safety no cost;

and

(vi) First aid no cost.

A two week induction process was undertaken by all the summer incremental staff (coxswains).

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

377/TC

APPENDIX 1

Mr Derek Morland

The Commodore

Warsash Sailing Club

Shore House

Shore Road

Warsash

SO31 9FS

13 May 2005

Dear Derek

Lobster Quay-Risk Assessment and Ownership of the Risks

As you are aware, the Harbour Authority recently produced a number of risk assessments identifying risks that must be managed to ensure the safety of all river users. I know that subsequent reports have left many members of Warsash Sailing Club with grave concerns about the future of dinghy sailing (and racing in particular) on the River Hamble in an era when risk assessments seem to dominate all our lives.

The Port Marine Safety Code Audit, which took place earlier in the year, brought to light a number of issues regarding dinghy sailing and racing. Risk assessments completed by the Harbour Authority also highlighted a number of risks that must be managed to ensure the safety of all who use the harbour.

Thus, I thought it important and appropriate to write to you in order help put in place various procedures and to confirm my continuing support for dinghy sailing and to offer my help in ensuring its survival regardless of the increase in traffic and other trends being experienced in the River at this time. I am very aware of the importance of the activities of all sailing clubs on the River and the benefits these activities bring to the community and to sailing as a whole. Warsash Sailing Club's large number of dinghy sailors who launch from Lobster Quay are dependant on the facilities of Lobster Quay, as is the club dependant on their membership for the survival of the club.

My aim is to ensure that dinghy sailing continues as a major part of life on the River and, at the same time, ensuring it remains as safe as we can possibly make it without detracting from the original reason why people take part in the sport. Obviously, the Lobster Quay jetty forms a vital element of dinghy sailing activity at Warsash and I am most anxious to ensure that it continues to be fully accessible and safe to use. Establishing safe procedures now will help to ensure that the practice of launching and sailing from Lobster Quay is seen as an established activity that should be protected in the future by those who manage the River.

Notwithstanding the above, I have to take account of the ever growing pressures on the River as a result of increases in recreational and commercial traffic. Other river users and operators believe that they must have equal support to enable them to succeed, which of course I acknowledge.

As you will be aware, the Harbour Authority was required to complete a risk assessment of the current situation at Lobster Quay and from that a number of risks were identified. Some of the risks are the responsibility of the Harbour Authority and therefore will be managed by me in order to reduce the risk to `As Low As Reasonably Possible' (ALARP). However, a number of the risks are `owned' by the Club and should therefore be managed by the Club on behalf of its members.

I am confident that all such risks can be successfully managed to bring them to an acceptable level (ALARP) without too much trouble or inconvenience. I therefore wish to offer my assistance and the Harbour Authorities assistance in managing the risks that have been identified and would confirm my confidence that all risks will be able to be managed successfully.

The risks that the Harbour Authority believe the Warsash Sailing Club should manage are set out in Annex A to this letter, which is an extract from my modified risk assessment. Annex B is an example of draft wording for a sign that the Warsash Sailing Club could erect to inform its members and therefore help manage the risks that have been identified. This is an example of allowing those that partake in activities to be fully aware of any risks that might exist and therefore enabling the risks to be taken into account, allowing people to make an informed decision on the safety of the activity. Annex C gives proposed actions by the club in briefings to those racing in the River. Annex D is a copy of the Notice to River Users giving notice of all races from the club line.

I hope the procedures set out above and in the enclosed Annexes give the Warsash Sailing Club confidence that both myself, as Harbour Master and the Harbour Authority will work with the club in partnership to ensure the safe continuance of dinghy sailing from Lobster Quay. The adoption of the procedures will also help to ensure that dinghy sailing continues well into the future.

The development of Dinghy sailing must therefore be considered as part of the continuing process of change on the river. It is therefore important to put in place the recommended safe working procedures now and establish them as the norm. The procedures that are adopted now will then become recognised and will be required to be taken into account by those who manage the river in the future.

This letter will be recorded in the Port Marine Safety Code Audit Action Plan as a required action by the Harbour Master. It will be the subject of follow-up action by the inspection team later in the year. The new procedures will also be the subject of a report to the Harbour Authority Board to demonstrate how this activity is being managed safely.

Please do not hesitate to ask if you require any additional advice or guidance on the above.

Yours sincerely

Tony Clatworthy

Harbour Master

Annex A - Notes on the Risk Assessment

Annex B - Draft wording for proposed sign

Annex C - Racing in the River Procedures/Briefings

Annex D - Notice to River Users 6 of 2005

Annex A to Harbour Master letter

dated May 2005

Extract of Risk Assessment

Current Situation

Launching Dinghies at Lobster Quay

"The risks associated with launching dinghies in the vicinity of the existing Stone Pier Yard are presently unacceptable. The Harbour Master is continuing to liaise with the [Warsash Sailing] Club involved so that appropriate precautions can be put in place. Accordingly the Harbour Master wishes to reiterate the precautions that should be taken to manage the risks associated with launching dinghies in the vicinity of Stone Pier Yard. The Harbour Authority acknowledges that some of the precautions mentioned below are already standard operating procedures by Warsash Sailing Club.

· The Warsash Sailing club must ensure that those taking part in launching or recovering from Lobster Quay and other slipways are fully aware of the dangers.

· A sign warning of strong currents should be erected on the WSC dinghy launching jetty at Lobster Quay. The Harbour Authority understands the difficulty that Warsash Sailing Club would have in controlling all those who launch at Lobster Quay. One suggestion would be a well positioned sign to draw attention to the dangers. The sign should be worded most carefully as it should not put off those launching in good or fair conditions. For example, a badly worded sign, not fully understood, may wrongly deter parents from allowing their children to take part in safe activities.

· Dinghy sailors are advised to always wear lifejackets or buoyancy aids, even with a wetsuit.

· Consideration should be given to positioning a club safety vessel in the main channel prior to large groups of dinghies launching. This will be an added safety measure as dinghies enter the unsighted main channel.

· Prior to large groups of dinghies entering the main channel from the Lobster Quay jetty, Consideration should be given to using the club safety vessels to tow groups of training dinghies to the nursery sailing area. This would only be required during high volumes of traffic or very strong tides.

· Consideration should be given to launching novice dinghy helms from the public slipway or the slipway at Shore House when wind and tide conditions might make launching from Lobster Quay dangerous.

The Harbour Authority will continue to take the following precautions to assist in the management of the identified risks:

· Harbour Patrols on station during busy periods or when heavy volumes of traffic are anticipated


· Widely publicised speed limit.

· Signs at entrance to river.

· Continued education of all River users.

· Control or limit the entry of larger vessels at peak times.

· Harbour Patrols on station during the start sequence of racing, or when requested by the Club.

· Control of entrance or departure to the River of all commercial craft. Commercial vessel deemed a danger will not be allowed entrance during periods of heavy volumes of traffic.

· If necessary an escort will be given by the harbour patrol vessel.

· Publicise the use of life jackets when travelling in small tenders. Signs displayed at Warsash Sailing Club Jetty.

Annex B to Harbour Master Letter

Dated May 2005

Suggested Wording for Warning Sign

Annex C to Harbour Master letter

Dated May 2005

Racing in the River Hamble

Procedures and Briefing Notes

The following should be brought to the attention of all who race dinghies in the River and take part in Starts from WSC Jetty.

1. When forming up for starts keep clear of the western secondary channel as this channel will be used as an alternative route for larger craft.

2. Always take account of larger boats manoeuvring in the main channel and obey the rules regarding restricted channels. Sailing dinghies do not always have priority. The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS), rules 6, 7, 8 and 9 do apply and should be fully understood.

3. Dinghy helms must be aware that large powered craft do not have the ability to come to a controlled or immediate halt and some will find it extremely difficult to manoeuvre slowly in strong tidal conditions in a confined channel.

4. Dinghy helms must be aware that some masters of approaching powered or sailing boats may be novices and not fully aware of their responsibilities regarding the IRPCS.

5. The Harbour Authority will always try and have two patrol boats in the area during starts. They will attempt to divert craft during the starting procedures to use the secondary western channel.

6. The harbour patrol boats will give a warning to all craft on VHF channel 68 at the 30 and 15 minutes prior to the start and after the start, as the dinghies clear the area.

7. All large commercial vessels will not be allowed into the river during the starting procedures. This will be controlled by the Duty Harbour Master on the patrol boat.

Annex D to HM Letter

Dated May 2005

RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR AUTHORITY

NOTICE TO RIVER USERS 6 OF 2005

DINGHY RACING

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Warsash Sailing Club will be commencing dinghy races in the River at dates and times shown in Annex A attached. The start line will be off the Warsash Sailing Club Jetty in the main channel and will involve twenty to thirty dinghies. Dinghies are normally present in the start area 15 minutes prior to the start of each race and before the fleet departs the River.

2. Masters of boats entering or departing the River should be prepared to take avoiding action or to make a detour through the secondary eastern channel that will remain clear of dinghies. The secondary eastern channel commences at B1 through to B16. Masters of larger vessels are requested to remain out of the area until the racing fleet have departed. Commercial vessels will have restricted entry during these periods.

3. Dingy sailors are reminded that the manoeuvring capabilities of large vessels are limited and should be taken into account, especially in confined channels. Dinghy sailors should not take for granted any priorities that they think they might have. The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, rules 6, 7, 8 and 9 do apply and should be fully understood.

4. Normally a Harbour Authority patrol boat will be in attendance and a safety RIB from the yacht club.

5. Details will be broadcast on VHF channel 68 at 15, 10, 5 minutes and the start of each race by "Hamble Radio" or "Hamble Patrol".

A G Clatworthy

Harbour Master River Hamble

Shore Road

Warsash

SO31 9FR

5 May 2005

All River Hamble Notice to River Users can be found at:

www.hants.gov.uk/hambleharbour