Contact: Tony Clatworthy, tel (01489) 576389

email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report summarises the activities and events on the River from 9 July 2005. Any incidents taking place after this report is distributed will be the subject of a separate annex to be distributed at the meeting.

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 0600 hours to 2359 hours by the duty Harbour Master and Coxswains.

4. Incidents

4.1 On 11 July at 1510 hours police were called to youths jumping from the A27 road bridge and removing the fencing. Police attended.

4.2 On 11 July at 1710 hours police were called to 12 youths jumping from A27 road bridge and throwing rocks/stones at passing vessels. Both patrol boats were hit by stones thrown from the bridge. Police did not attend. Harbour Patrol staff briefed on policy regarding stone/rock throwing, which is `Do not put yourself in danger and report the incident either to the harbour office or the police'.

4.3 On 14 July Patrol officers were called to Hamble Jetty where 12 youths were causing a disturbance by sinking tenders and disturbing River users. Police called but unable to attend. Patrol Officers dealt with problem by removing youths from jetty. They returned once Patrol departed.

4.4 On 15 July children removed tender from Hamble Jetty using all the fuel in the engine and leaving the tender full of water. Patrol attended, police not available.

4.5 On 16 July at 1345 hours a vessel alongside at Warsash Harbour Master's Jetty reported fire in engine. Fire Brigade and Coastguard attended. Engine overheating.

4.6 On 16 July children were moving fencing and jumping from the bridge. Deacons Boatyard reported children jumping from bridge and climbing on moored craft. Police called. Patrol called to Hamble Jetty where children were jumping in the path of the ferry. Patrol dealt with the situation.

4.7 On 17 July a waterlogged canoe was found mid-channel by M27 bridge. Search undertaken and reported to Coastguard. Later a woman reported that children had been seen playing with the canoes at Brixdone Farm. Canoe believed to have been pushed in and abandoned by them.

4.8 On 18 July at 1900 hours there was a report of a small boat departing the River with three persons on board and very little freeboard. Forecast of force 7 and squalls. Patrol left River to look for boat and found them fishing inside Cathead buoy. Informed about impending weather but did not appear to worry. Did not have any lifejackets, radio or phones and wearing street clothing. Boat not seen, so at 2300 hours Patrol went to look for them and escorted them to Hamble Jetty (no navigation lights or torch).

4.9 On 22 July a patrol officer attended a meeting at Queen Elizabeth Country Park regarding an incident involving youths fighting near the Upper Hamble Country Park Jetty. A Country Park ranger was injured in this incident. Police requested that all incidents be fully reported to enable them to fully understand the local problems and build a better picture of problems and also help their case to obtain a beat officer.

4.10 On 23 July three outboard engines and three tenders were stolen and two tenders sunk at Hamble Jetty.

4.11 On 23 July at 1600 hours Patrol rescued four youths in a small dory in the Upper Hamble. The outboard engine had pulled the transom off the boat and it was sinking. Boat and youths taken to slipway at Swanwick.

4.12 On 23 July a child injured his arm while jumping from the A27 road bridge. Not seen by Patrol or reported but seen on Swanwick Marina closed circuit television (CCTV).

4.13 A number of tenders were recovered at various locations throughout the River and returned to Hamble Jetty. An outboard engine was recovered from the water at Bursledon Bend.

4.14 On 30 July a man was thrown out of his RIB by heavy wash from Red Jet. However, had a kill-cord fitted and was carrying a marine radio, and was also carrying small flare pack on his person. He was therefore rescued and reunited with his RIB.

4.15 On 31 July at 0030 hours RIB was reported/seen entering the River at approximately 30 knots. Switched off navigation lights and continued up river at same speed.

4.16 On 31 July there was a report from a fisherman who had been fishing in the River at 0200 and had been disturbed by a number of RIBS entering the River at very high speeds and creating dangerous wash to his small boat.

4.17 On 31 July a vehicle was stuck in mud at Warsash slipway.

4.18 On 3 August children were attempting to break the windows of the ferry at Hamble and also jumping from the bridge into an inflatable tender.

4.19 On 5 August the Patrol rescued three fishermen from a shingle bank off Hamble Point. Cut off by incoming tide.

4.20 On 5 August between 2130 and 2359 hours approximately 800 to 900 vessels returned to the River on completion of the Cowes fireworks display. A very high percentage of masters/skippers acted very responsibly but unfortunately a number of vessels failed to show the correct lights and exceeded the speed limit by a few knots. A number of vessels did not use the correct side of the channel and therefore became a danger to vessels departing the River. One owner has been written to requesting that he removes his vessel from the River as he claimed that he could not control his vessel unless he made a speed of at least 10 knots through the water. Following accidents in previous years a number of measures were undertaken this year by Harbour Masters in the Solent and Marine Police Units from Sussex and Dorset were present on the water assisting Hampshire's Marine Police Unit.

4.21 On 6 August at 2120 hours the patrol received a call from MV Princess Caroline requesting berthing facilities and help with a young lady with breathing difficulties. Vessel moored at Port Hamble and ambulance attended to passenger with assistance of the patrol staff. Young lady sent home in taxi once it was ascertained that she was suffering from effects of drink combined with motion sickness.

4.22 On 9 August at 1230 hours a 20 foot yacht was found taking in water on its midstream mooring. Patrol pumped out vessel and informed owner.

4.23 On 10 August at 1840 hours the patrol was waved down by a man on the Harbour Master's Jetty at Warsash. He reported that his friend had telephoned him from his mobile phone on a personal water craft (PWC) at the entrance to the River Hamble. The PWC was sinking and he was requesting assistance. The patrol attended the area and found a PWC semi-submerged. The patrol rescued the man aboard the PWC and then made it fast alongside and returned to Warsash. When the original report was made the PWC was reported at the mouth of the River but was found to the north of Coronation buoy and 400 metres off-shore.

4.24 On 12 August at 1830 hours, report of a light aircraft going down at Fawley. Patrol proceeded to the area and commenced a search with Southampton Harbour Masters patrol. Nothing found and later received confirmation that reported aircraft had landed safely after reporting to be in difficulties.

4.25 On 14 August at 1420 hours Hamble lifeboat brought a casualty to Warsash jetty with a head injury. Patrol attended along with Ambulance and gave first aid. Hospitalisation not required.

5. Speeding Vessels

5.1 During this period a number of vessels have been stopped for exceeding the speed limit. They have been introduced to the bye-laws and informed that they may be prosecuted if stopped again. During Cowes week reports were received of RIBs travelling up and down the River at speeds of 30 knots plus (0100 hours through to 0300 hours). Patrols were carried out from 2359 hours through to 0130 hours during Cowes Week but no vessels were identified not conforming to the speed limit. A pair of night vision binoculars has been obtained on loan from the police that should assist in identifying such vessels in the future.

5.2 The Patrol has experienced difficulties in stopping speeding PWC which are capable of speeds of 40 knots. Owing to their speed it is not possible to reproduce good CCTV coverage or take photographs for later identification. PWC are causing difficulties to other harbours in the Solent and the number of incidents on the River Hamble has increased markedly this summer.

5.3 The use of the radar gun has proved a deterrent and it is now taken out on most days by the patrol.

5.4 At Fareham Magistrates court on 12 August, the Harbour Authority brought a prosecution against the master of a sports boat for exceeding the Harbour Master's Direction Number 1, not reporting a collision and causing a wash and disturbance. Fareham Magistrates fined him £800 and also ordered him to pay £1,147 costs and £2,381 compensation for damages.

6. Navigation Marks and Lights

6.1 A number of navigation lights have failed and have had to be replaced and the Easterly Cardinal mark was damaged by collision. The £3,000 navigation light budget will therefore be exceeded.

6.2 Six years ago it was decided to replace all existing navigation lights with fully enclosed and sealed units which are solar powered. The replaced navigation lights were extremely costly as each light required a 12 volt battery, backup battery , a bulb changing mechanism and replacement bulbs. The 24 navigation lights for the River required a continuous rolling maintenance and recharging programme which was a costly manpower drain and not environmentally sustainable. These units cost in the region of £275 each and last from 5 to 8 years and are now being replaced as they fail.

6.3 The easterly cardinal mark was hit by an unknown vessel which took away the top mark, damaged the mounting and bent the access ladder. A claim against the Hampshire County Council self insurance scheme is being investigated.

6.4 Replacements and works to date include:

(i) 3 x solar lights end of life (£825);

(ii) damage by collision to easterly cardinal mark (£2,434);

(iii) replacement of A27 bridge light (£250); and

(iv) Warsash sector light currently in repair.

7. Navigation Lights - Tenders

7.1 A large number of tenders transiting the River in the dark fail to show any lights at all. They seem unaware of the dangers they are putting themselves and others in. On a night with cloud cover it is impossible to see small vessels. Mooring holders associations and yacht clubs are requested to remind their members to show some form of light from tenders as a warning to other vessels. The Harbour Office will continue with a publicity campaign to remind users of the dangers involved in not showing any lights. Those not showing lights on small tenders must be made fully aware of the rogue boat owners who break the six knot speed limit endangering all river users.

8. Hamble Jetty

8.1 Following meetings with the Hamble Community Committee, (involving Hamble Parish Council, Police, Community and Youth Worker and others) a way ahead for Hamble Jetty and the problem with youths was explored. It was decided to erect the following worded sign:

HAMBLE PUBLIC LANDING Public Access ONLY to boat owners and the Hamble/Warsash Ferry Persons UNDER 18 YEARS MUST be accompanied by an adult unless using the Ferry or accessing a boat No Bicycles - except those using the ferry No Diving or Swimming - from the walkway or pontoon No Fishing - except with the permission of the Harbour Master No person upon the River shall intentionally obstruct any officer of the County Council in the execution of their duty. CONTRARY TO THE RIVER HAMBLE BYELAW NO. 25 By Order of the HARBOUR MASTER

8.2 Patrol Officers will attempt to remove all unaccompanied children (under 18 years old) from the jetty for the children's own safety.

9. Port Marine Safety Code Six Monthly Audit

9.1 Marine Enforcement Limited, the designated person for the Port Marine Safety Code, completed the six month audit in July. The audit report is attached, along with the Harbour Master's Action Plan, as an appendix.

10. Runaway RIB

10.1 The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has commenced investigative action regarding the incident that took place earlier in the year, at the entrance to the River Hamble.

11. Impact Assessments

11.1 Since no formal decisions are required as a result of this report no impact assessment is required.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

536/TC