Archived decisions

Contact: Tony Clatworthy, tel 01489 576 387

email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report summarises the activities and events on the River from 20 January 2006. 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 31 January a diesel oil slick was observed in the area of Universal Marina and Swanwick Marina. This was investigated by the patrol but the source was not discovered.

4.2 On 1 February a light bulb was changed on the fixed navigation light at Hamble Jetty. This was achieved through the use of seven contractors, one harbour patrol and a scaffold tower. Question: `How many men does it take to change a light bulb at Hamble?' - Answer: `Seven, and lots of scaffold (at no cost to the Harbour Authority)'. The light boom is now being fitted with a hinge to enable it to be swung down.

4.3 On 2 February the Assistant Harbour Master (Environment) managed the cutting back of branches and foliage in Botley Creek and also the recovery and disposal of plastic containers and other rubbish. Following this work the patrol can now reach the Mill at Botley.

4.4 On 3 February the patrol found a pontoon not moored correctly because the chains were not connected. A contractor was instructed to attend this privately-owned pontoon.

4.5 On 4 February:

(i) A yacht fouled on the trot moorings at Hamble, and the patrol gave assistance.

(ii) The patrol completed a survey of all boats moored to piles that did not have warps leading directly to piles. Many boats moor incorrectly relying on single lines to either a pontoon or their neighbour and not laying a line to the pile iron. Letters were sent to all offending boat owners.

4.6 On 7 February the patrol found the boat used for taking disabled people out from the Upper Country Park drifting without power and towed it back to Upper Country Park.

4.7 On 10 February:

(i) A yacht on swinging moorings at Bursledon Bend was found to be low in the water owing to water seeping through the stern gland. The owner was informed who attended immediately. The patrol stood by to give assistance if required.

(ii) The patrol found a pontoon with two chains parted owing to poor maintenance. The contractor was instructed to rectify and make safe.

4.8 On 13 February:

(i) The patrol discovered a pontoon with connecting chain worn down to 2-3 millimetres. The owner was instructed to ensure this is replaced as soon as possible.

(ii) A 20 foot log was found drifting in the entrance to the River and was removed by the patrol.

4.9 On 19 February the patrol found stern mooring lines on a fore-and-aft mooring cut through. They made safe and reported to the owner.

4.10 On 20 February the patrol secured two flogging foresails, one on a yacht on the Royal Air Force Yacht Club pontoon and one on the J piles.

4.11 On 26 February the patrol found lines on a fore-and-aft mooring parted. The patrol secured the vessel and reported to the owner.

4.12 On 27 February the patrol found a yacht on A piles with a parted stern line, only secured by the bow warp. The patrol secured the vessel and reported to the owner.

5. Port Marine Safety Code Audit

5.1 The six monthly Port Marine Safety Code Audit was completed by the Designated Person, Marine Enforcement Limited, on 17 January 2006. The report is attached as Appendix 1 and the Action Plan is at Appendix 2.

5.2 It has been noted in the Audit Report that the Board's executive responsibilities have yet to be defined and acknowledged. The Board has yet to sign off the `Mission Statement' and `Policy Statements' in the Port Marine Safety Code Safety Management System. There is a report on this subject elsewhere on the agenda.

6. Impact Assessments

6.1 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.

888/TC

APPENDIX 1

Harbour Master Report

River Hamble Harbour Board

24 March 2006

Mr A Clatworthy

Harbour Master

River Hamble Harbour Authority

Shore Road

Warsash

Southampton SO31 9FR

19 January 2006

Dear Sir

PORT MARINE SAFETY CODE COMPLIANCE AUDIT 17.01.06

The Port Marine Safety Code requires that the Designated Person audits the Harbour Authority's compliance with the Code and provides independent assurance to the duty holder. We report accordingly and ask that this report be presented to the Board.

We enclose a Certificate of Compliance confirming compliance with the Code subject to the contents of this report. This should be filed in Volume 4 under Tab 4 of the Safety Management System. We also enclose a notated Audit Report Form.

1. OBSERVATIONS:

1.1 Municipal Ports Review:

After much delay a final draft of the Municipal Ports Review has been released. We are assured that the final will not vary greatly to this draft.

That being so it is clear that the River Hamble Harbour Authority has already considered all of the issues raised in the review and that the present executive structure reflects the recommendations made in it.

1.2 Refuelling Facilities on the River Hamble:

Each of the 3 refuelling facilities on the River are visited annually to ensure that the pollution control measures adopted by the respective operators meet recognised standards. The annual visit to the refuelling facility at Swanwick Marina is now overdue.

1.3 Pollution Records:

The patrol boat log sheet for 19.10.05 indicates that an oil spill occurred; the check sheet is notated with a tick. The patrol boat log sheet for 11.09.05 records "Fuel slick from Port Hamble". Whilst these spills may have appeared minor, full details of all spills and the action taken must be recorded. Whilst oil spill reports are analysed (see Annex 1) by the Assistant Harbour Master (Environment) the analysis is devalued if full reports of each spill are not made at the time of the spill.

1.4 Sunken Vessel at Universal Marina:

On 28.12.05 a workboat sunk at Universal Marina. The response by the Harbour Master and his staff to contain the resultant pollution was immediate. The area around the casualty was boomed off and the small amount of pollution recovered from the River. Full costs were recovered. The response to this incident is a demonstration that the Harbour Authority has in place robust procedures, the correct equipment and suitably trained personnel to deal with such incidents.

1.5 Staff Meetings:

Operational meetings are held weekly. More formal staff meetings are held throughout the year when health and safety and port marine safety matters are discussed. The last minutes of a staff meeting are dated 05.10.05. Whilst the next meeting was scheduled for 14.11.05 it did not take place because of operational reasons. A formal staff meeting to discuss safety issues is now due.

1.6 CCTV:

At the time of this audit only the camera in the Harbour Master's office was operational. Repairs and refinements are ongoing.

1.7 Shellfish Dredging:

River Hamble Byelaw 7 requires that shellfish dredging can only take place if the Master has the written permission of the Harbour Master. The risks associated with this activity in the mouth of the River has been assessed and accordingly the number of "permissions" granted has been limited to 6. Each "permission" runs for 2 years from the date of issue. The oyster dredging season runs from 1^st November to 28^th February. Notwithstanding the permission required by the Byelaw each vessel involved needs to comply with the requirements of the MCA, DEFRA and the South Sea Fisheries District Committee.

The "Permissions" granted by the Harbour Master are given on a first come first served basis. So far this has not caused conflict. However it is suggested that to avoid potential conflict "permissions" should be granted for each season to 6 vessels. Should more than 6 vessels apply for "permissions" the Harbour Master may need to reconsider the procedure for granting his permission.

1.8 Health and Safety:

It is our view that the management of shore side risks (Health and Safety Executive) and marine risks (Port Marine Safety Code) should follow similar regimes. The Harbour Authority is part way through dovetailing both systems. Wisely, responsibilities for checking areas of the Health and Safety regime are distributed among the staff. The last record of a Health and Safety audit was 21^st August 2003 and whilst not within our remit, we urge that the audit provisions of the Health and Safety regime are reviewed, if only to ensure that internal audits are regularly conducted and records are kept and that deficiencies are rectified.

1.9 Definitive Map of Jurisdiction etc:

It is noted that Hampshire County Council are, thus far, unable to locate the definitive map that delineates the limits of the jurisdiction of the Harbour Authority. Further it is noted that the Board's executive responsibilities have yet to be defined and acknowledged. This issue remains with Hampshire County Council Legal. Once this has been resolved the Board should sign off the "Mission Statement" and "Policy Statements" in the Port Marine Safety Code Safety Management System.

1.10 Drills and Exercises:

An emergency exercise with the Coastguard and Marine Police is scheduled for March 2006. Emergency exercises are an integral part of the Safety Management System and should be held frequently.

2. NON-CONFORMITIES:

2.1 None.

3. CONCLUSION:

The River Hamble Harbour Authority continues to demonstrate its commitment to the Port Marine Safety Code. Its Safety Management System is robust yet proportional to its function. The Harbour Authority meets the National standards imposed on it and its staff are professional in all respects.

The forward thinking of Hampshire County Council in reviewing the Governance of the River Hamble Harbour Authority was timely in that the Harbour Authority has already positively addressed all of the recommendations in the soon to be published Municipal Ports Review.

The role of the Designated Person is to provide independent assurance to the Harbour Authority that the Safety Management System is working effectively. I can, subject to the comments detailed in this report, confirm this is the case. I also confirm that I have had direct access to the highest level of the Harbour Authority.

Yours faithfully

Mark G Capon

Managing Partner

Enc:

APPENDIX 2

Harbour Master Report

River Hamble Harbour Board

24 March 2006

ACTION PLAN

for

Port Marine Safety Code Audit completed on 19 January 2006 by Marine Enforcement Limited