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 3 May 2006. Any incidents taking place after this report is finalised 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 1 May at varying times from 0600 hours through to 2000 hours, 2200 hours or 2359 hours. The four summer Coxswains commenced work on 1 May and underwent an induction and training period of 14 days before being permitted to conduct lone working patrols.

4. Incidents

4.1 18 May: Patrol took on board a paramedic and delivered him to a yacht in Southampton Water, which had reported there was a casualty aboard. Casualty recovered to Harbour Master's Jetty at Warsash.

4.2 20 May: Patrol attended badly injured yacht crew member who had been recovered to the Harbour Master's Jetty at Warsash. Casualty taken away by ambulance.

4.3 During this period the Patrol attended many moored craft to adjust moorings, replace fenders, stow flapping sails and generally make them safe and secure.

5. Patrol Boats

5.1 The engines on the patrol boats have undergone the annual replacement with new 50 horse power outboards. The replacement is completed under the long term contract with Honda. The patrol boats have also undergone a winter refit to make them ready for the coming season. Mobwatcher devices have been fitted to the patrol boats to act as a kill cord. The operator carries the electronic key in his pocket and if he moves more than a couple of metres from the boat both engines switch off. The system was fitted by Holts free of charge and is an ideal solution to the many incidents reported in the Solent of crews being thrown overboard from RIBs and the vessel continuing at speed.

5.2 The Harbour Authority dory `Kingfisher' has been commissioned ready for the summer season. The dory will be used to reduce speeding and other bye-law infringements in the upper Hamble, making it safer for canoeists and other River users.

6. The Fishermen's Jetty

6.1 The Fishermen's Jetty at Warsash has been commissioned and is now being used by fishermen to unload their catch and carry out maintenance to their boats. The jetty has halted the bad practice of transporting the sometimes heavy and bulky catch from the midstream pontoon to the slipway in low freeboard craft. The six fishing boats based in the Hamble now have a safer working environment, with a marked reduction in risk to themselves and all other River users.

6.2 Dinghy sailors, and others who launch at Warsash, are finding the jetty an added bonus and have made good use of it. The jetty has proved very useful for fishermen, dinghies and small craft launched on the slipway.

6.3 The Harbour Master is happy for others to use the jetty to help them launch their craft but the fishermen have priority. Signs have been erected stating this fact and also warning members of the public that it is a working jetty. The Harbour staff will discourage inappropriate use of the jetty.

7. New Buoyage System

7.1 Three starboard hand buoys have been laid at Warsash to indicate the main channel upstream of the College Jetty. This now gives an excellent line of approach, defining the channel at Warsash extremely well, especially at night.

(i) The first buoy, No. 11 - (Q.G. 2M) sits directly under the Warsash sector light (Dir Iso. WRG. 6s 5m 4M). Because of the buoy's location, directly under the white sector of the Warsash sector light, it has become easier to identify the light. In the past it was found difficult, mainly owing to light pollution from Warsash village.

(ii) As the starboard side of the channel is now better marked it has been observed that vessels using that part of the channel do not cut the corner but take a much wider and better line of approach. The well-marked channel has reduced the number of vessels cutting across into the course of other vessels departing, thereby reducing the possibility of a collision.

(iii) The next buoy, No. 13, acts in conjunction with the Fl (2+1) R 10s 2M on the first pile of the central visitors' pontoon. This now becomes a well-defined gateway and buoy No. 15, sitting off the Harbour Master's Jetty, along with buoy No. 13 clearly indicate the main channel.

(iv) Removing all the fore and aft moorings from the Harbour Master's Jetty and Stone Pier Yard has opened up the area giving better lines of sight and safer manoeuvring areas.

8. Hamble River Raid (The Hamble Gig)

8.1 The annual gig race took place on Saturday 13 May with 9 boats racing from Hamble Quay to the A27 road bridge and back to Hamble. The Hamble Gig is a 14 foot rowing boat manned by 2, 4 or 6 rowers, some with a coxswain.

8.2 Two patrol boats covered the race, ensuring other craft in the main channel were not affected. A course had been agreed which highlighted danger areas, mainly at crossing points of the main channel. The Harbour Master allowed the start and finish to take place at Hamble Quay to help make the event more visible. Starting at Hamble Quay did add more risk but with the patrols in place these risks were reduced to a manageable level. The patrol boats and Duty Harbour Master were involved in this activity for some time during a busy weekend, ensuring that the race was a success with no impact on other river users.

9. Impact Assessments

9.1 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.

963/TC