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 16 November 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. Reason

2.1 This report promotes safe navigation on the River Hamble.

3. Report

3.1 The River has been patrolled daily by the Duty Harbour Master from 15 November from 0700 hours through to 1830 hours.

4. Incidents

4.1 The incidents reported below reflect those that may have affected the Safety Management System; other matters concerning day-to-day harbour operations are not recorded in this report. The annual report of incidents due to be published in April 2007 will list and categorise all incidents. The report will be presented to the Harbour Board at the earliest opportunity after that date.

4.2 17 November: 40 foot yacht found by patrol with parted mooring warps on bow. The vessel had swung round and lay alongside downstream vessel. Vessel returned to its moorings and made secure, owner informed.

4.3 19 November: a dud pre-1939 mine found on beach just outside River Hamble Harbour Authority jurisdiction by a member of the public. Dealt with by Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Unit.

4.4 22 November: patrol took over the tow of an RIB from Southampton Patrol. RIB recovered to the River.

4.5 25 November: very bad squall and strong winds; patrol involved in a number of small incidents making safe moored vessels.

4.6 26 November: very bad squalls and strong winds; patrol involved in a number of incidents, including:

(i) dinghy capsized in main channel and recovered by patrol;

(ii) patrol towed a 38 foot sailing boat, that had lost its rudder, into the River;

(iii) patrol secured a pontoon that had become unstable following the breaking of its mooring chains; and

(iv) patrol recovered vessel caught on mooring buoy.

4.7 1 December: patrol found midstream moored yacht with broken warps swinging out into the main fairway. Yacht recovered and moored correctly and the owner informed.

4.8 3 December: patrol found eight boats with broken warps both fore and aft and ten boats with sails blown out. Two boats found sinking which were pumped out and made secure. Owners were informed and advised of damage.

4.9 4 December: patrol pumped out a sinking cabin cruiser and recovered the boat to the Harbour Master's Jetty.

4.10 5 December: On checking mooring warps the patrol found five that required replacing owing to fraying. Owners informed.

4.11 6 December: patrol replaced and retied a number of mooring warps. Also found two boats with cleats pulled out.

4.12 7 December: a Westerly 22 broke free from its mooring during the night and was recovered by the patrol from the shore at Stone Pier Yard. A number of mooring lines were replaced by the patrol.

4.13 10 December: patrol found a number of minor effects from the gales which included loose lines, fenders lifted and sails requiring repacking. All owners informed.

4.14 11 December: patrol pumped out a vessel on the mid-stream moorings.

4.15 During the period 2 to 11 December, the River experienced very strong sustained winds and driving rain. Because the wind was from the south large seas were experienced at the river entrance. During these periods the patrol were constantly attending to moorings, warps and fendering, making boats secure. It was noted that many very valuable boats were moored with totally inadequate warps.

5. Establishing and Alterations to Navigation Lights

5.1 Following the Safety of Navigation survey the following navigation lights and marks have been changed or established:

(i) the navigation light at Bursledon bend has been changed from a Fl. R 4s 2M to a Q.R.2M and a port hand mark fixed to the beacon;

(ii) the navigation light on pile G68 has been changed from a Fl.R.4s 2M to a Q.R.2M;

(iii) a navigation light has been established at 50º52. 155' N. 01º 18. 421W. Q.G.2M. The light is obscured from 335º through to 90º; and

(iv) a starboard hand beacon will be established upstream of Universal Marina to mark the mud bank that lays 15 metres upstream of the marina. To be established by Universal at its expense 50º52' 64N, 1º18' 09W.

6. Harbour Master's Jetty

6.1 The Harbour Master will give an oral progress report to the Harbour Board regarding the Harbour Master's Jetty at Warsash.

7. Impact Assessments

7.1 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.

1173/TC