Contact: Tony Clatworthy, tel 01489 576 387

email: [email protected]

1.1 This report summarises the activities and events on the River from 15 September 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 by the duty Harbour Master from 0700 hours until 1830 hours under the winter routine.

4. Incidents

4.1 On 15 September the Patrol assisted resident of `I' piles, vessel was taking in water through the stern glands. Boat lifted out at Mercury Marina.

4.2 On 15 September the Patrol assisted `Sea Scamp' a 50 square metre windfall yacht which found itself in difficulties on the scrubbing piles at Warsash.

4.3 On 16 September the Patrol assisted a yacht aground between beacon 9 and 7. Owner had gone below to stow gear and found himself aground on returning from below decks.

4.4 On 17 September the Patrol was called to a vessel on the A piles that was taking in water. Moved boat to Hamble Point Marina for lift out.

4.5 On 18 September-a vessel on the `M' piles was found slewing into the main channel. No pile warps, breast ropes or springs used by owner. An undersized line being used as a warp had parted.

4.6 On 18 September the Patrol towed XOD back to its berth; no wind and a strong tide had put the boat in danger.

4.7 On 24 September there was a report of dinghy stolen from the Royal Air Force Yacht Club pontoon.

4.8 On 25 September the Patrol assisted a 38 foot yacht entering the river with failed steering.

4.9 On 25 September the Patrol assisted an RIB drifting without engine with two people aboard.

4.10 On 1 October the Patrol recovered a dinghy found drifting in the river. Following further investigations it was established that the dinghy was from Netley Sailing Club. No persons involved.

4.11 On 4 October raw sewage was found coming from an area below the slipway at Hamble-le-Rice. After a long investigation and discussions with the Environment Agency and Southern Water the source of the leak was reported as being a sewage pipe which was blocked further up the hill in Hamble. The sewage was then flowing into the surface water drains and then into the river. The Environment Agency and Southern Water attended and it was reported that the blockage was corrected.

4.12 On 10 October a water main burst on the A27 road bridge. Agencies responsible were informed.

4.13 On 12 October there was a sewage leak again at Hamble Slipway. The Environment Agency and Southern Water were called again.

4.14 On 12 October the Patrol attended with salvage pump and generator to Warsash Marine. Outer pontoon taking in water in metal buoyancy tank. Tank pumped dry and repairs carried out.

4.15 On 15 October the Patrol attended three boats moored at Bursledon Bend that had been broken into. Break-in had occurred some time in the last seven days. Various items were stolen, which included electronic equipment and waterproofs and these items were listed. Police informed. Owners informed and boats made secure. CCTV did not show anything of significance. All commercial operators, marinas and boatyards on the Hamble informed through the "River Hamble Crime Net Scheme".

4.16 On 15 October - damage to tenders on Hamble jetty overnight. Seats slashed and other damage done.

4.17 On 16 October (near miss). At 1620 hours a small rowing boat was proceeding across the main channel in heavy driving rain and poor visibility at dusk. No life jackets were being worn by the two occupants. On crossing the main channel the small rowing boat was very nearly run down by a vessel which was forced to go full astern. Contravention of Rule 9 (d). The occupants of the dinghy were completely unaware of the presence of the boat in the main channel or the near miss.

4.18 On 23 to 24 October H17-18 "Katya" bowline parted during bad weather, and as no warp to pile the boat was found out in main channel. Patrol re-moored vessel.

5. Patrol Activities

5.1 During bad weather over the period 23/24 October many boats were found not to be moored correctly after the storm. No lines to piles and incorrect springs and breast ropes led to many adjustments having to be made by the patrol. Many fenders popped out which were replaced by the patrol to limit damage done to hulls.

5.2 Patrols have been active during the Winter Series helping to overcome conflicts in the main channel. Boats cutting the corners and using the incorrect side of the channel were, in some cases, a danger to oncoming boats. A report was sent to the class secretary and a note was placed on the events website. The following week all boats were found to be fully observing the correct Collision Regulations - The Convention for the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (with amendments adopted from November 1989) (COLREGS).

6. Safety and Ownership of Identified Risks

6.1 It is the responsibility of the Harbour Master under the aims of the Safety Policy for the River Hamble Harbour Authority and further responsibilities under the Port Marine Safety Code to ensure all risks are assessed and reduced to `as low as reasonably practical'. As part of that ongoing process risks have been identified which are associated with events and facilities provided by yacht clubs to launch and recover small craft, dinghies and tenders. Other areas of concern include the wearing of lifejackets and understanding and complying with byelaws and the COLREGS.

6.2 Events and the associated risks are managed with the use of the River Hamble Code of Practice which all yacht clubs and event organisers understand and conform to. The Code has proved a great success and is used as a tool to ensure that events organised on the River Hamble are run as safely as practically possible.

6.3 Where facilities for launching and recovery of small boats are provided the clubs responsible must ensure Members are fully informed of any safety implications associated with the provision of those facilities. The provision of that information allows Members to make informed decisions concerning their own and their children's safety before proceeding with the activity. That activity might be an organised event or a family outing.

6.4 Harbour Patrols have discovered that a percentage of those who use the river do not understand or are even aware of COLREGS and how those regulations should be observed even in the confines of the harbour. Many are not aware of the River Byelaws or Harbour Master's Directions. This lack of knowledge has an impact on the use of small channels, rights of way and navigation lights. Even understanding green is starboard and on the right and red is port and is on the left has stretched some river users when questioned. The use of COLREGS, byelaws and Harbour Master's Directions will be part of the ongoing publicity programme for the Harbour Authority. It is the responsibility of all those who go afloat to familiarise themselves with these laws. Those who do not comply with the law may be prosecuted.

6.5 The wearing of life jackets in small craft has improved over the last three or four years but still a great number of mainly elderly people can be seen in small craft and tenders without them. It appears that elderly river users have in the past not worn lifejackets and they appear not to see any reason to start wearing them now. Observing a person alone in a tender at dusk on a rainy cold dark evening not wearing a lifejacket is very worrying (see paragraph 4.17 above). During the winter months and after dusk there are not many people on the water to react or initiate a rescue therefore the wearing of lifejackets is strongly recommended. Lifejackets will also be a subject of the ongoing Harbour Authority publicity programme.

6.6 To assist the clubs in carrying out their responsibilities and to further publicise these safety measures Notice to River Users 33 of 2005 has been published and is reproduced as an appendix to this report. The Harbour Office will continue to publicise and educate all river users where possible.

6.7 There is an awareness that it is most important not to over regulate these leisure activities or place impossible restrictions on those that enjoy them. Everyone should be able to enjoy the full range of activities currently enjoyed but sensible safety measures and procedures must be observed.

7. Oral Reports

7.1 There will be oral reports on closed circuit television and disposal of flares/pyrotechnics at the meeting.

8. Impact Assessments

8.1 This report provides a position statement only, therefore an impact assessment, in terms of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act, has not been undertaken.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

698(B)/TC

Safety on the River Hamble

RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR AUTHORITY

NOTICE TO RIVER USERS 33 OF 2005

1. The Harbour Authority does not wish to over regulate the use of the River and wants everybody to be able to enjoy the full range of activities presently enjoyed. No one type of vessel or activity has priority or primacy. The River Hamble is getting busier and greater numbers of vessels of all descriptions compete for a finite amount of space. Larger vessels use the River regularly and at times, especially at its entrance, the River may become congested.

2. The Harbour Authority has a responsibility to manage the risks associated with marine operations to ensure that they remain as low as reasonably practicable. It is appreciated that going afloat can never be free of risk and everybody who uses the River, especially those in control of vessels, has an important role to play to ensure the River remains safe.

The Harbour Authority wish to reiterate the following:

a. The Master, Skipper or person in charge of a vessel, regardless of type or size, remains responsible for its safety. This is not the case where the participants are children, where adults, event organisers or Clubs will have additional responsibilities.

b. All vessels using the River must comply with the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), Byelaws and Harbour Master's Directions. It is the responsibility of all those who go afloat to familiarise themselves with these laws. Those who do not comply with the law may be prosecuted.

c. There may be times when it is not safe to participate in a particular activity. Before taking to the water those in charge of vessels, adults responsible for children and those organising events and races need to carefully consider the prevailing weather, tidal and traffic conditions.

d. The location chosen to launch a trailered dinghy or vessel needs particular consideration especially if the launch area is close to a main channel at a busy time and/or there are adverse weather or tidal conditions. Likewise the timing and location of race start needs careful planning by the Clubs involved.

e. There may be times when a planned use of the River has to be adjusted or cancelled. This is common sense and basic seamanship. This is reflected in the modern requirement to assess risks and put appropriate precautions in place.

f. Clubs have a particular responsibility to ensure that events which they organise or facilities which the Club provides are run to acceptable safety standards and that their members are kept appraised of the standards required and any possible dangers involved.

g. The River Hamble Harbour Authority has developed a Code of Practice for Races, Events and Regattas and the Harbour Authority looks to all Clubs to continue to comply with this Code.

Safety on the River Hamble is a joint effort.

The Harbour Authority does not wish to have to impose restrictive regulations.

REMEMBER !

Take sensible precautions !

&

Always wear a lifejacket or a buoyancy aid !

A G Clatworthy

Harbour Master River Hamble

Shore Road

Warsash

SO31 9FR

27 October 2005

All River Hamble Notice to River Users can be found at: www.hants.gov.uk/hambleharbour