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

1. Summary

1.1 This report summarises the activities and events on the River from 17 June 2007. Any incidents taking place after this report is distributed will be the subject of a separate annex to be distributed at the meeting.

2. Recommendations

2.1 That the contents of this report be noted.

3. Report

3.1 The River has been patrolled daily by the duty Harbour Master and Coxswains from 0600 hours to 2200hrs, 2300hrs and 2359 hours until 4 September and from 0700 hours until 1830 hours thereafter (when autumn routine came into effect).

4. Incidents

4.1 19 June; Patrol found a yacht in difficulties at the River entrance suffering from engine failure. Recovered the yacht to the HMJ.

4.2 22 June; The Harbour Office reported to Southern Water a very strong pungent smell of sewage. Sewage was then traced to a surface water drain into the River. It appeared that because of a blockage in the system in Warsash the sewage was finding its own level and was `ponding' in the immediate area and draining into the surface water pipe before flowing into the River. Blockage cleared and overflow ceased.

4.3 23 June; Patrol recovered two yachts from Hamble Spit.

4.4 24 June; Patrol found a yacht on a mid-stream mooring drifting after breaking free from its mooring. On investigation found warps worn through. Vessel secured and owner informed.

4.5 24 June; Following a call from Solent Coastguard patrol joined the lifeboat and police launch in searching for people reported as being in difficulties in the area of the Maritime College footpath. Following a detailed search ashore and afloat nothing found.

4.6 25 June; Patrol re-moored a yacht on a mid-stream mooring that had broken free. Owner informed.

4.7 28 June; Patrol rescued the crew of a Laser dinghy and recovered the dinghy to Warsash Sailing Club.

4.8 29 June; Patrol attended after a small collision involving a yacht hitting a moored vessel while coming alongside. Absent owner informed and photographs taken of damage.

4.9 30 June; Harbour Master's Pursuit Race took place with dinghies racing from HMJ to Crableck on a circuit for 1.5 hours.

4.10 1 July; Patrol attended to yacht on mid-stream mooring which had started to come adrift with inadequate mooring warps. Patrol secured the vessel and informed the owner. Owner was invoiced for the work completed.

4.11 6 July; Patrol received a radio request from a yacht that had lost its steering as it was entering the river. Patrol got a line aboard and towed the vessel as far as Hamble Spit Buoy. The tow then became unmanageable and the Calshot Lifeboat was requested to attend as the conditions were very bad with strong winds and high seas. Calshot Lifeboat attended within 20 minutes and started to attempt to recover the vessel. At that point the yacht skipper reported he had repaired the steering and was then escorted into the River.

4.12 6 July; (2245hrs) Received a call from the Coastguard regarding a report of a small power boat in difficulties at the entrance to the River. On investigation by the patrol they found a small sports boats with engine failure and no lights. Towed the boat into deeper water and investigated further. The young man only had street clothing and no torch or lights, no radio or telephone and was also asthmatic. He had very recently purchased the boat from a friend. Recovered to HMJ Warsash. Very lucky young man given a cup of tea and a good talking too.

4.13 7 July; Patrol lifted a casualty from a yacht in the main channel at the entrance to the River. Casualty had cut his finger off. First aid given, ambulance called and recovered to hospital with finger in attendance.

4.14 7 July; Patrol assisted Hamble Lifeboat to recover a large catamaran into the River and moor on Hamble Jetty. While mooring, experienced difficulties with youths who got in the way and were made to depart the jetty.

4.15 7 July; Patrol took over the tow from Venture Rescue RIB and brought the yacht to HMJ Warsash.

4.16 7 July; Hamble Week fireworks display with no incidents.

4.17 8 July; Patrol recovered large yacht with rope around propeller and assisted the vessel onto the scrubbing piles.

4.18 8 July; Patrol came across two swimmers in the main channel at Bursledon and removed them from the water. Apparently they were training for a triathlon. Asked not to use the main channel again.

4.19 9 July; Patrol intervened between ferry operator and canoeists who were obstructing the ferry. Canoeists asked to be more careful in future.

4.20 11 July; Fresh organs (liver attached to an intestinal tract) found on Warsash slipway by a member of the public. They had been hooked by a fishing line. Police SOCO officer collected them and on further investigation it was reported that they were the organs from a deer which may have been killed by poachers in the Upper Hamble.

4.21 13 July; Patrol attended a collision between an International 6 metre yacht (without an engine) and a moored yacht. Damage assessed, details taken and owner informed. 6 metre escorted out of the River by the Patrol.

4.22 14 July; Patrol received a call from the Coastguard regarding a 16 foot angling boat with loss of power at the River entrance. Patrol attended and recovered the vessel to HMJ.

4.23 14 July; Patrol attended to a dinghy capsized in the River with three people aboard. Recovered to Warsash Sailing Club.

4.24 21 July; Patrol recovered a casualty with a dislocated shoulder from her vessel to the Harbour Office. Ambulance called and recovered casualty to hospital. Patrol then assisted in returning vessel to its moorings.

4.25 28 July; Patrol used powered bilge pump to pump out a sinking vessel on a mid-stream mooring. Owner informed and requested to attend to his vessel.

4.26 28 July; Patrol completed a violent and aggressive behaviour report after dealing with a person who was illegally moored.

4.27 28 July; Esso at Fawley oil terminal venting and burning off heavy oil which resulted in a fall out of soot and particles being deposited on boats. Esso established a compensation and washing scheme for boats which appears to be working well. It only affected boats which were moored above Mercury Marina and in the area of Bursledon. Helpline number: 0800 2946711.

4.28 31 July; Patrol attended to catamaran which had broken adrift and was forced against another moored vessel. Patrol recovered the boat and moored it on the visitors pontoon. Owner contacted.

4.29 31 July; A disused sewer outfall marker post in the Upper Hamble was damaged due to a collision. Remains of marker cut away and made safe. Marked with a buoy. Southern Water are now in the process of establishing a new port hand warning mark at their cost.

4.30 5 August; Patrol found a woman in the water clinging to a pontoon on the `V' run of moorings. She was unable to climb out on her own accord. Assisted in her recovery.

4.31 6 August; Patrol found a yacht anchored just out of the main channel opposite Hamble. Boat had a jammed gearbox. Patrol recovered vessel which had fouled other moorings with its anchor.

4.32 7 August; Patrol found a dinghy launching trolley floating in the river. Recovered to Hamble River Sailing Club.

4.33 7 August; Patrol gave assistance to a dinghy that had lost its outboard over the side.

4.34 11 August; Patrol towed large motor yacht with engine failure to Mercury Marina.

4.35 13 August; Patrol attended to a report of a stolen dinghy at Swanwick Marina. The patrol collected a police officer en route and was able to chase the youths who left the dinghy at Riverside Boatyard. The police aircraft tracked the youths and other police units then caught and arrested them.

4.36 13 August; On returning from the above incident the patrol came across six youths in a boat which looked suspicious as they only had one paddle. The patrol managed to arrest three youths as the rest made off. Three youths handed over too the police for questioning. Youths charged with theft.

4.37 13 August; Patrol came across two youths in a rubber dinghy in the main channel. They gave them assistance and were able to contact the parents of the youths. The youths then received strong and direct verbal instruction regarding safety from their mother.

4.38 15 August; Vessel on a mid-stream pontoon broke its mooring lines and was re-secured by the patrol. Owner informed.

4.39 15 August; Patrol assisted two yachts with engine failure into the River.

4.40 16 August; Patrol towed two yachts into the River and moored a yacht that had come adrift from a mid-stream mooring.

4.41 16 August; stones thrown at Patrol by youths at Lands End.

4.42 16 August; Patrol rescued two youths in a RIB experiencing difficulties and also assisted the parent vessel, a 40 foot Sunseeker, that almost went aground in the entrance to the River. Patrol assisted vessel to come alongside as the competence of the skipper was in doubt. Two youths safely reunited with parents. During a discussion that took place following the incident advice was offered to the skipper and family regarding safety and seamanship.

4.43 18 August; Patrol received report of a collision between a 34 foot sailing vessel and two moored craft. Fully investigated by patrol. Al owners contacted and matter resolved.

4.44 18 August; Patrol assisted a yacht with failed engine and re-moored another with broken warps.

4.45 19 August; Patrol assisted police during questioning of Vietnamese/ Chinese cockle pickers on Hamble Spit.

4.46 19 August; Patrol assisted a yacht whose had engine failed to start when entering the river.

4.47 19 August; Patrol traced a fuel spill to a vessel moored in a marina. Vessel entered and automatic bilge pump switched off. A leak in the fuel line was discovered which was emptying fuel into bilges. Sussex police contacted vessel owner. Marina and owner dealing with incident. Vessel owner invoiced for equipment and staff time.

4.48 19 August; Patrol assisted two yachts with engine failure.

4.49 20 August; Patrol assisted two yachts suffering from engine failure.

4.50 22 August; Fuel jetty at Stone Pier Yard was discovered to be held down at one end as the tide flooded. Flooded compartments were successfully pumped out. Harbour Master instructed Stone Pier Yard to close the fuel jetty to the public and the fuel and electric lines to be isolated until the Harbour Master is satisfied on its stability and safety. Harbour Master requested a survey of the jetty to establish its condition.

4.51 22 August; Pontoon on a private mooring experienced a broken chain coming adrift at one end. Patrol secured and contacted owner.

4.52 25 August; Patrol towed a small power boat with five people aboard to safety after it had experienced engine failure.

4.53 25 August; RSPCA contacted by Patrol regarding a swan with fishing tackle in its bill. RSPCA inspector attended.

4.54 26 August; Patrol towed a power boat with engine failure into the River.

4.55 27 August; Patrol recovered a 20 foot yacht found drifting in the main channel with a broken engine.

4.56 27 August; Patrol recovered a 40 yacht who requested a tow after experiencing engine failure. As he requested a tow directly to his mooring he was charged £47.

4.57 28 August; Office received reports of a RIB speeding in the River after midnight .

4.58 29 August; Collision reported by a Royal Southern Yacht Club safety RIB that was escorting small dinghies. The RIB was in collision with a 30 foot blue hulled yacht which damaged the RIB's A frame and smashed the navigation lights. The yacht did not stop and the description of the yacht was not good enough to help trace the boat. The patrol visited all the marinas looking for a yacht with damage to its bow but was not able to trace the boat.

4.59 30 August; Following a request for assistance from the Royal Southern Yacht Club the patrol assisted in escorting the fleet of Optimists across the main channel to their training area.

4.60 1 September: The Office received a report regarding a collision between the River Bus and a fleet of rowing skiffs in the area of Bursledon Regatta. Statements taken and a report given to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Enforcement Brach of the Maritime Coastguard Agency as the River Bus is a coded boat allowed to carry 35 passengers.

4.61 1 September; The Office received a report of a collision between a moored boat and a yacht. Patrol investigated the circumstances of the collision and the incident report showed that the accident was caused by the yacht and no further action was required.

4.62 1 September; Patrol recovered a 10 metre yacht which had suffered engine failure and drifted broadside against other moored boats.

4.63 5 September; Two patrol boats set the finishing line for Jeff Holt as he completed his round Britain single handed attempt. The patrol boats then headed the procession of Jeff and the escorting fleet to Royal Southern Yacht Club.

4.64 6 September; Patrol came across a sailing dinghy near the A27 road ridge which was almost foundering. It was taken in tow and recovered, along with the crew to the Warsash Sailing Club.

4.65 6 September; Report of a collision within Hamble Point Marina. Vessel causing the collision had failed to halt. The Harbour Authority reported the description of the absconding vessel to the Marine Police and all harbours on the south coats.

4.66 9 September; Patrol attended Hamble jetty to deal with children swimming in the main channel. Police were not called.

General Points

4.67 Their appears to be a sharp rise in the number of yachts suffering from engine failure who rely on the Harbour Patrol to tow them to their moorings. Other incidents that the Harbour Patrols were involved in included slowing vessels down to the correct speed to reduce their wash and issuing verbal or written warnings to speeding boats. Patrols attended many incidents of poorly moored vessels, and had to either fit new lines or adjust existing mooring warps. The police were called on a number of occasions to help in dealing with children and youths either on public jetties, jumping in front of vessels or jumping from bridges including the M27 motorway bridge. Police did attend many of the reported incidents and the Harbour Office now records the crime number for each incident. Following the successful arrest of a number of youths an excellent liaison between the Harbour Office and the local police has been established. Police officers have also been taken on familiarisation trips on the patrol boats. Harbour Patrols have been present for various dinghy events ensuring competitors safety during such events, and as can be seen by the incidents recorded above, rescued a number of dinghies and crews. The Warsash Sailing Club and the Royal Southern Yacht Club's annual junior and youth training events took place during the school holidays.

5. Hamble Regatta Week and Bursledon Regatta.

5.1 Both Hamble and Bursledon regattas were successful with excellent fireworks displays conforming to the required safety requirements established through risk assessments. Patrols attended both regattas ensuring the Gig racing and other events received assistance if and when required. The Gig racing was also given assistance from the Harbour Patrols. The River was closed for the duration of both firework displays. Excellent liaison now exists between the Harbour Master and both event organisers.

6. Navigation Marks and Tidal Gauges

6.1 A summer maintenance programme has now been completed to ensure that all navigation marks and tidal gauges have either been replaced or painted to the required standard. The two sector lights have undergone their six monthly maintenance programme.

7. Pontoons

7.1 The Harbour Office has carried out an audit of all privately owned pontoons advising owners where necessary of any maintenance required. A number of pontoon owners have also been advised that their pontoons have reached or are about to reach the end of their useful life and have therefore been requested to remove them.

8. Relocation of Navigation Marks

8.1 Clearance has been obtained from Trinity House to re-locate both starboard navigation marks at Swanwick and Crableck bends. The relocating of these navigation piles/beacons nearer to the edge of the main channel will providing a safer and clearer indication of the main channel. The relocation will also help protect the fore and aft moorings in the vicinity. This work will be completed during the winter of 2007/2008.

9. Netting for Mullet in the River

9.1 Following a request by local commercial fishermen to net for mullet in the River the Harbour Master has given consent with the following conditions:

a. The location and planned start and finished times of the fishing to be provided to the Harbour Master prior to commencing the planned activity.

b. Netting may only take place in pre-designated areas which are charted on the netting licence.

c. Any Bass caught during the restricted period must be returned to the River, any bass taken outside of 1^st May - 31^st October must be greater than the minimum landing size in accordance with European Legislation.

d. No nets to be left unattended at any time.

e. Nets and other tackle to be kept clear of all moored craft and moorings.

9.2 The River Hamble is a designated bass nursery and bass fishing is not allowed between the 1^st May and 31^st October. Allowing netting has not been a popular decision with some rod fishermen but advice on the matter was taken from the Southern Sea Fisheries. The catch has been examined on a number of occasions determining that only mullet are being landed. Consent was given as per River Hamble By-law number 7.

10. Signage

10.1 A sign replacement programme has now been completed ensuring that all signs throughout the River conform to a corporate image and provide the correct information in a simple format. The replacement programme has focused on reducing the amount of written words and keeping the directions or advice provided to a minimum.

11. Harbour Master's Charity Pursuit Race

11.1 The Harbour Master's Charity Pursuit Race was held during the morning of the 30 June. The Hampshire Autistic Society received a cheque for £250 which came from the proceeds of the registration fee and a raffle. The prizes were presented by Councillor John Bryant, Chairman of the Harbour Board, in the Warsash Sailing Club on the same day. The success of the event relied heavily on the help from the River Hamble Combined Clubs who ran the event. Thanks must go to those who gave up their spare time to help organise the event and also to all the commercial operators throughout the River who donated prizes. Without this help the event would not have been such a success. Next year we are looking forward to even more competitors when the chosen charity will be the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).

12. Harbour Master's Jetty Walkway & Dock Wall (Situation Report)

12.1 The piles supporting the walkway leading to the Harbour Masters Jetty at Warsash and the dock wall have recently undergone a survey by a civil engineering company to evaluate the condition of the supporting piles. The supporting piles have lost their steel jackets through corrosion, exposing the concrete to the elements. A survey was required to establish the condition of the concrete and to discover if the piles had internal stainless steel or mild steel reinforcing bars. The condition of the piles was established by using electronic scanning procedures. The supporting piles are in a safe condition considering their age and the severity of the conditions to which they are exposed, particularly within the tidal splash zone where the steel and concrete are subject to repeated wetting and drying.

12.2 There is still more work required on the assessment of loads and advice obtained regarding maintenance and repair. Hampshire County Council engineers are assisting in this process. A cost benefit analysis will be completed before a decision can be made on what actions are required.

12.3 The harbour wall around the Harbour Master's office also underwent a survey at the same time. It has been established that the structure is not unsafe or unserviceable but work is required. Investigations and discussions are still underway with Hampshire County Council Engineering and Property Services, and the Civil Engineering company to establish the most appropriate long term solution.