Archived decisions
28th June 2006
Mr A Clatworthy
Harbour Master
River Hamble Harbour Authority
Shore Road
Warsash
Southampton SO31 9FR
Dear Sir
PORT MARINE SAFETY CODE COMPLIANCE AUDIT 20. 06.06
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.
The Audit on this occasion was performed by another officer of Marine Enforcement. This enables a "fresh pair of eyes" to examine the system, documentation, records and activities on the river. In particular the new buoyage and channel approaches were viewed. The changes to buoyage and channels are a significant improvement and should greatly assist in the management of risks.
This Audit reviewed the issues identified as Observations in the January Audit and it is pleasing to note that items 1.2 to 1.8 and 1.10 have been satisfactorily actioned. Item 1.1 concerned the Municipal Ports Review (MPR) which has now been published. All of the recommendations made in the MPR have already been addressed by the RHHA. We recommend that if the Municipal Ports Sector establishes a "beacon scheme" RHHA should apply for the recognition it deserves. Item 1.9 required action from HCC to locate the definitive map of the HA jurisdiction and that remains outstanding. The map maybe lost.
Attention was given to two areas recently identified during an MCA/port industry meeting. These were the compliance and communication with the Trinity House Inspector of Seamarks and compliance with the Data Protection Act. These two issues, which some other ports have found difficult to address, have been dealt with and satisfactory records are kept.
1. OBSERVATIONS:
1.1 Record keeping.
The Safety Management System and the day-today activities of the RHHA generate a considerable amount of paperwork. Unfortunately this is a necessary evil and attention must be continually applied to the minutiae of the records. There were some problems with:
· Incident Report Forms not signed off
· Incident Report Forms not completed consistently by river staff - particularly the Risk Assessment section
· Pollution Report Forms not signed off and completed differently by different staff.
· Log sheets missing referenced Incident Report Forms.
We leave it for the Harbour Master to address these minor issues.
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 the staff are professional in all respects.
The fact that the only Observation resulting from this Audit concerns minor record-keeping details is evidence that the system is functioning very well and all staff are to be congratulated on their commitment.
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
Capt. Mick Caulkin
Managing Partner
Enc: