Archived decisions

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 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 incorrectly moored 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 a boat used for taking disabled people on river trips on the Hamble from the Upper Country Park was found drifting without power. The patrol towed it back to the Upper Hamble 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 and he 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. A 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.

4.13 On 1 March:

(i) the barge `Tim' was moved, to be demolished, from Salterns Marina to a site on the western side of the River immediately downstream of the A27 motorway bridge. `Tim' was a 70 foot wooden ammunition dumb barge built in 1903 for use by the Admiralty on the Thames. It had been converted into a houseboat and was moored in Salterns Marina. The barge was broken up and removed from the area conforming to all environmental legislation. The demolition site was fully restored to its original condition by the contractor on completion of the demolition. The disposal of the barge was organised by the project manager, Mr Jim Branston from Salterns Marina, with help from the Harbour Authority, English Nature, the Environment Agency, a local landowner and Eastleigh Borough Council. The whole operation was managed extremely well and the project can be held up as an example of a well-planned and well thought-out activity involving all agencies with responsibilities towards the environment and navigational safety. The barge had to be moved or a decision taken to allow it to stay on the marsh and break up in its own time, with all the problems that might bring.

(ii) An object found in the River was reported as a possible unexploded bomb. Because of its location it was not reachable by foot and when a boat could get to it the water was too deep to reach the object. However, bomb disposal confirmed the object was clear and no danger.

(iii) A large cylindrical water tank was removed from the River bed.

4.14 On 4 March:

(i) There was liaison with the Southampton Patrol regarding a small fast power boat crossing the bows of a commercial vessel in Southampton Water. Vessel entered the River and was dealt with by the Southampton Harbour Master.

(ii) There was a fire in Mercury Gardens, scrub and marsh, attended by Hampshire Fire and Rescue.

4.15 On 6 March the patrol removed an abandoned speed boat from Hamble Slipway and reported the vessel details to the police.

4.16 The weekend of 11/12 March was very busy in the River as the first week of the Spring Series and Warming Pan (dinghy racing within the River). The patrol worked very closely with the racing committee and oversaw the racing within the River. The event was very well-organised with only minor problems.

4.17 On 13 March a small fuel spill was reported in the area of Warsash Marine which was immediately checked by the patrol. The source was not found after confirming the fuelling point had not been used for over two hours. The slick was broken up by the patrol boat and the incident reported to the MCA.

4.18 On 14 March a small fuel spill was again reported in the main channel in the area of Warsash Marine. The patrol found a suspect boat with automatic bilge pump operating, which is under investigation by the Harbour Master and the MCA.

4.19 On 18 March the patrol rescued a man from the water off the Harbour Master's Jetty at Warsash. The man had been in the water for at least five minutes and was found clinging to a Laser SB3 which he had fallen from when attempting to stop the outboard engine falling into the River. The patrol ensured the recovered person was fit and well before allowing him to proceed. An ambulance was not called on this occasion. A life jacket was not worn by the casualty and thus he could not move away from the boat to attract attention. Because the first signs of hypothermia were setting in he did not have the energy or strength to keep afloat without help. Therefore he kept clinging to the boat and was not seen by three passing boats. The man was extremely lucky: if the patrol had not chanced across him when they did he would undoubtedly have become another statistic. This is another case of "it will never happen to me". The man gave his assurances that in future he will always wear a lifejacket. As an aside to this incident it is amazing the number of elderly and young persons, moving about the River in small tenders, with low freeboards, who do not wear a lifejacket.

4.20 On 20 March:

(i) All piling and new pontooning was completed at Eastlands Marina.

(ii) Two piles were driven to secure the Country Park Jetty which allows the chains and anchors to be removed from the bed of the River. These works were undertaken on behalf of the Countryside Service of Hampshire County Council who financed the project.

4.21 On 22 March a 10 foot red dory was stolen from Deacons Boatyard, and the police informed.

4.22 On 26 March:

(i) Bow lines parted from a vessel on a Hamble River Sailing Club berth. The lines were re-secured with new lines and the Club informed.

(ii) A RIB used for instruction was found drifting in the River and out of fuel. This is the second time this has occurred with this particular sea school. The Royal Yacht Association, which licences the school, was informed.

4.23 On 27 March the patrol removed an old Admiralty mooring pontoon from under the trees at Bursledon Bend to Riverside Boatyard for demolition. This pontoon was part of the Section 106 compensation agreement with Fareham Borough Council prior to the build of the Fishermen's Jetty at Warsash.

4.24 On 27 and 28 March gale force winds produced a number of mooring related incidents attended to by the patrol. A number of small tenders also were retrieved from the River.

4.25 On 29 March the patrol stood by and then gave assistance to a 34 foot yacht with engine failure. This was recovered to Mercury Marina.

4.26 On 30 March a man fell from the stern (bathing platform) of his moored motor launch at the Harbour Master's Jetty at Warsash. He was in the water for two minutes before being pulled out of the water by passers-by. A lifejacket was not worn.

4.27 On 1 April the patrol assisted a yacht with engine failure, re-ran a snapped bow line on a public mooring and assisted a yacht having difficulties mooring. A 16 foot motor cruiser was found hard against the south side of Institute Jetty, swept by wind and tide after engine failure. The patrol had difficulty in towing the vessel to safety and was assisted by Hamble Lifeboat. Two persons were on board, and the vessel was recovered to Warsash Jetty.

4.28 On 2 April:

(i) The patrol assisted a yacht experiencing engine failure in the main fairway. The vessel was towed and recovered to moorings. This quickly turned into a rescue situation and the patrol was forced to intervene to limit possible injuries or damage.

(ii) The patrol's attention was drawn to a small speedboat speeding along the eastern bank. It went aground dramatically at speed and found itself on the mud on a falling tide. The patrol towed the boat clear of the mud twice. There were four youths on board (no lifejackets) who then received a lecture on the introduction to safety and seamanship. No further action was taken at this time but vessel and master's name was recorded.

(iii) Two children were found navigating the River on a polystyrene float with poles as oars. The children were only dressed in normal street clothes and were without life jackets. They abandoned the float and ran off across the marshes.

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. This has now been rectified and the Harbour Board has signed off the `Mission Statement' and `Policy Statements' in the Port Marine Safety Code Safety Management System. The relevant MCA department has been informed that this has now been completed.

6. Port Marine Safety Code Navigational Safety: Risk Assessment

6.1 An update of the general risk assessment for navigational safety is currently taking place. This will include the main fairway, channels and traffic levels. Comments have been requested in writing from 205 associations, agencies, groups, organisations, boatyards and marinas, 605 mooring holders and all individual masters and owners of vessels over 18 metres. Comments have been requested on all navigational safety matters and the suggested following subjects:

NtRU 4 of 2006

Procedures governing fishing in the main fairway

Procedures governing control of the College Jetty

Operation of the Hamble Warsash Ferry

Diving Operations

Fore and Aft moorings close to the main channel

Procedures governing dredging and piling works

Use of tenders and other low freeboard craft

Dinghy racing starts in the main channel

Movement of large craft such as barges and piling platforms

Use of the fuelling and bunkering barges

Knowledge of any incidents or near misses (specific information about the incident to enable the Authority to investigate further would be required)

Current navigation marks and lights

Large tourist-type vessels using the River

The use of VHF channel 68 ` Hamble Radio'

The use of CCTV for vessel traffic management.

6.2 It is hoped that a report with any recommendations will be ready to go before the next meeting of the Harbour Management Committee on 3 July 2006.

7. Annual Incident Report

7.1 The River Hamble Harbour Board has instructed the Harbour Master to produce an annual listing of incidents from which lessons may be learnt by all River users (see paragraph 4.19 above). This will form part of the Harbour Master's Report on 3 July 2006.

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.

909/TC

APPENDIX 1

Harbour Master Report

River Hamble Harbour Management Committee

3 May 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 Management Committee

3 May 2006

ACTION PLAN

for

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