Archived decisions

Contact: Tony Clatworthy, tel 01489 576387 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report summarises minor alterations to the consent for works at Universal Shipyard, previously granted by the River Hamble Harbour Authority. The minor alterations were changes to the plans which were originally given conditional Harbour Authority works consent on 15 February 2005. The report is presented to the Harbour Board to formalise the consent for these minor alterations.

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. Consent History

3.1 On 15 February 2005 conditional consent was granted by the Harbour Authority for the dredging, refurbishment and realignment of marina berths at Crableck and Universal Marina under the statutory duties of the Harbour Authority.

3.2 The Harbour Office observed a number of smaller working alterations to the plans for this project since this date and one plan alteration came to the Harbour Office's attention during September and was the subject of a series of correspondence with no final conclusion (ie consent was not altered).

3.3 Universal Shipyard was advised that consent was required before such alterations could proceed.

3.4 In late February 2006 an official request from Universal Shipyard for minor alterations to the original plans was received. The request involved minor alterations to the original conditional Harbour Works Consent which was granted on 15 February 2005.

3.5 Such minor alterations to plans within the curtilage of marinas and yards are normally delegated to the Harbour Master, who makes an assessment of the original consent and any effects that minor alterations might have on navigational safety. He then makes an informed decision. Such an arrangement is necessary to allow the day-to-day business of the harbour to proceed without undue delay. On this occasion the Harbour Master decided to refer the matter to the Harbour Board, requesting a site meeting of all available Harbour Board Members. An informal meeting of the Harbour Board, with five members present, together with the Chairman of the Management Committee, was held in the afternoon of 8 March 2006.

3.6 The request to alter the consented plans were detailed in a drawing - DRG 8686/22 dated January 2006 - were concentrated upstream and downstream of the drop dock in Universal Shipyard and consisted of the following:

(i) Upstream: 3 x 19 metre finger berth pontoons giving 8 berths of 20 to 22 metres (+1 berth on the hammerhead pontoon).

(ii) Downstream: 3 x 14 metre finger pontoons giving 7 berths of 14 to 15 metres (+1 berth on the hammerhead pontoon).

(iii) There were also a number of smaller alterations which reduced several 11 metre and 12 metre moorings to 8 metres.

4. Harbour Master's Recommendations

4.1 The Harbour Master recommended the following conditions be imposed should the Harbour Board grant minor alterations to the original consent:

(i) The Harbour Authority has not agreed to an increase in boat numbers within the marina and therefore the original advice given to the Environment Agency and English Nature that there will be no increase to disturbance does not change.

(ii) Only 8 boats may be berthed in the proposed new upstream berths at any one time (not including the hammerhead).

(iii) Owing to the restricted manoeuvring area on the approaches to the drop dock and the reduction in area available to allow larger vessels to manoeuvre and berth, the operator is required to give the Harbour Authority a copy of its risk assessment for this area which will be placed within the Harbour's Safety Management System Records.

5. Outcome of the Meeting

5.1 The informal meeting of the Harbour Board agreed to allow the works to continue, with the following conditions:

(i) The number of vessels allocated to moorings within Universal and Crableck Marina does not increase from 252 boats broken down into the following sizes of vessels:

(a) 9 metres = 22 (maximum size vessel expected to be allocated these moorings);

(b) 15 metres = 17;

(c) 25 metres = 12;

(d) 10 metres = 132;

(e) 8 metres = 48; and

(f) 5 metres = 20.

The Harbour Authority will confirm and measure the moorings once the new layout at Universal Marina has been completed.

(ii) To conform to the boat count within the River Hamble and within Universal Marina, as set out in section (i) above, larger pontoon docks may not be utilised to moor two smaller vessels if that increases the boat count within Universal Marina. As an example, using a 19 metre pontoon to moor two 8 metre vessels is not permitted.

(iii) The Harbour Master requires a copy of Universal Marina's risk assessment for vessels manoeuvring between piers `H' and `I' and the drop dock, along with any procedures to be adopted to reduce any risks identified to "As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP)." The risk assessment and any procedures will then be inserted into the Safety Management System records held at the Harbour Office.

(iv) Universal Marina to establish and maintain, at its expense, fixed double vertical navigation lights on each hammerhead; to be established as the pontoons are located in place.

(v) Before proceeding all other appropriate consents to be in place and copied to the Harbour Master, to include:

(a) FEPA and CPA licence; and

(b) Fareham Borough Council (planning consent);

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 the River Hamble Harbour Board ratifies its decision to allow works to continue and formally grants conditional Harbour Authority consent for the works.

940/TC