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

1. Summary

1.1 This report summarises the activities and events on the River from 18 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. Al1 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.

4.67 13 September; Patrol attended to mid-stream moored boat with parted mooring warps.

4.68 14 September; Patrol halted a dory that was trawling/spinning for bass. Verbal warning given with an explanation of the fishing rules appertaining to Bass fishing in an area classified as a Bass Nursery.

4.69 16 September; Patrol attended and helped rescue a man who had fallen from his yacht.

4.70 19 September: Patrol refurled headsail on mid-stream moored yacht.

4.71 23 September; Patrol assisted Hamble Lifeboat in the rescue of a dinghy sailor and his dinghy from Hamble spit. Man was suffering from the cold following a capsize in the river entrance. Recovered to Warsash Sailing Club.

4.72 27 September; Patrol received a telephone call from a `Zap-Cat' trapped between the two piles at beacon number seven. Patrol attended and recovered `Zap-Cat' to Harbour Masters Jetty Warsash.

4.73 30 September: Patrol recovered from the River a number of railway sleepers.

4.74 2 September; Patrol stood by with pumping equipment during vessel moving in the main channel which was in danger of sinking.

4.75 6 September: Harbour Master approached and spoke to commercial bait diggers who were working in the Warsash area. The meeting became confrontational therefore the bait diggers were informed that permission from the landowner must be given before commercial digging can proceed. The bait diggers departed soon after the meeting.

4.76 7 September: Patrol stood by large vessel which was towed into the River.

4.77 9 September: Patrol re-furled head sail of yacht on mid-stream mooring. Owner informed.

4.78 12 September: Jet-Skier observed exceeding the 6 knot speed limit. Owner of the vessel was interviewed pending a possible prosecution.

4.79 15 September: Harbour Authority signs on Hamble Jetty vandalised with spray paint. Paint removed successfully.

4.80 17 September: Patrol had great difficulty in re-furling a yachts headsail. Owner informed.

Incidents - General Points

4.81 There 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.

5.2 There was one incident during the Bursledon Regatta involving a vessel coded to carry 35 passengers and a number of rowing boats. The incident is subject to a report to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Enforcement section of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

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 awaiting advice 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.

13. Oil Spill Response - Contingency Plan and Defence Boom Deployment

13.1 On the 24 September an Oil Spill Contingency Exercise took place at Warsash which was organised by the Harbour Office and Oil Spill Response Limited and East Asia Response Limited (OSRL&EARL). The exercise was designed to confirm the Harbour Authority contingency plan and to completed the three yearly deployment exercise required by legislation. The exercise included a practical deployment of the oil boom and a table top exercise to exercise the Oil Spill Management Team (OMT). The day was also an opportunity to demonstrate and explain to the Harbour Board, The Management Committee, various stakeholders and the local community how the Harbour Authority would proceed should there be such a requirement.

13.2 Among those who attended the briefings given by the Harbour Master, the Assistant Harbour Master (Environment), OSRL&EARL and HCC Press Office were: Local Residence, local businesses, Emergency planning officers from Eastleigh Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, the Environment Agency, Coastguard, the River Hamble Management Committee, Police Contingency Planning Teams, the Marine Police and the Harbour Board.

13.3 The River Hamble Oil Spill Contingency Plan has now been confirmed by the Maritime Coastguard Agency and is undergoing printing by Hampshire Printing prior to distribution. Attached to this report at Annex A is the post exercise report.

14. Boat Scrubber

14.1 The Boat Scrubber machine has been removed from the bed of the River and the pontoon recovered to The Crown Estate for annual mooring holders use.

15. Impact Assessments

15.1 This report provides a position statement only, therefore an impact assessment, in

terms of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act, has not been undertaken.

ANNEXE A

"Solent Breeze"

Incident Management Exercise

Project Number: 3207

"Solent Breeze"

Incident Management Exercise

Contents

"Solent Breeze"

Incident Management Exercise

1) Introduction

The scope of this report covers the Incident Management Exercise which was planned & directed by OSRL/EARL on behalf of the River Hamble Harbour Authority (RHHA).

In accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention) Regulations 1998, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) requires OPRC compliant ports to hold an Incident Management Exercise, which includes equipment deployment at least once every three years.

This report documents the actions of the Oil Spill Management Team (OMT) in response to a simulated oil spill incident & makes recommendations to improve the speed & efficiency of any future response.

2) Executive Summary

The exercise was designed to test the skills of the OMT in response to a realistic oil spill scenario, namely a ship collision outside the River Hamble limits, but with the potential for oil to enter the estuary.

Using the scenario of a collision between two vessels in the Solent, the exercise was run over a three hour period and involved decision making by the representatives from various local government and other organisations in a consultative role. A set of recommendations was produced after the exercise that is contained in this report.

This was the first oil spill incident management exercise for some of the personnel involved, all of whom gained a level of understanding of what was required.

In addition to the Incident Management Exercise, OSRL/EARL (assisted by cadets from Warsash Maritime Academy) carried out a deployment of the River Hamble protection boom to prove the feasibility of joining the boom to the new fishing jetty at Warsash.

3) Background

The exercise was held on the River Hamble at Warsash on 24^th September 2007 to simulate a spillage of oil from an incident involving a dredger in collision with a bunker barge on the western approaches of the Solent during the hours of darkness.

The exercise was designed to guide the players to respond to the incident as if it were a real oil spill. The first priority was to mobilise the appropriate people and resources, and develop a strategy to deal with the spill effectively, and stop the contamination spreading with the wind and tidal movements. The players were expected to respond to the situation, as far as possible, as if it were a real incident. Injects with additional information and external phone calls were fed in to the exercise by the exercise co-ordinators.

Scenario:

Location: Solent, Western Approaches

Time: 0330 hrs

Date: Tuesday 24^th September 2007

The bunker barge Ruby IV, whilst on passage from Poole to Southampton Docks is heading up the Thorn Channel, south-west of the Bramble Bank. At the same time the Dutch dredger, Sea Plough also on passage to Southampton heading west using the South Channel, is about to make the turn at the Bramble Bank. The two vessels are within two cables of each other and the skipper of the Ruby IV isn't aware of the other vessels intentions. As the skipper of the Sea Plough starts to change course to starboard the vessel fails to respond and continues its original course and collides lightly with the bunker barge. The dredger does not sustain any major damage but the Ruby IV is holed on its starboard side aft and ruptures a cargo tank containing 200T of IFO 380. All of the crew of the vessels have been accounted for and no injuries reported. The damaged vessel is brought alongside Fawley Refinery jetty at 07:30 for assessment / survey and is no longer leaking - except for a plume of sheen around the ruptured tank.

Weather: Hypothetical, pre-determined weather for spill modelling purposes Southerly wind 5

Position at time of collision: 50⁰ 47' 00 N 01⁰ 19' 0.4 W

Tides:

Fig. 1 OSIS model oil spill trajectory

FFDD

Exercise objectives:

· To test the River Hamble Oil Spill Contingency Plan and note all discrepancies or problems for future action

· To exercise and develop the necessary skills required of key individuals in dealing with a Tier 2 oil spill

· To set up the Oil Spill Management Team in situ

· To test the operational interface between OSRL/EARL, River Hamble Harbour Authority and external agencies

· To test the capabilities, response times, and deployment of physical resources and key personnel

· To use all available resources to make the response effective

· To consider arrangements for disposal of recovered oil and oily waste

· To confirm the Harbour's Oil Spill Contingency Plan fully considers the environment and habitat regulations in controlling and cleaning up

pollution in the River Hamble

· To log all documents, information and actions to assist/prevent claims and costs

4 Safety

RHHA was responsible for the safe operation and management of the exercise within River Hamble port limits. The HM had ensured that river users were aware of the exercise by posting a `Notice to River Users' on its website, and by having patrol craft patrolling the river whilst the boom was being deployed.

Some of the exercise injects included injuries (simulated) to spill responders that were dealt with by the OMT throughout the exercise.

5 Exercise Play and Observations

5.1 The exercise commenced at 0540h when the Harbour Master (HM) called OSRL/EARL to mobilise the Tier 2 service, and asked for the response team to rendezvous at 0700h at the Hamble Harbour Office.

5.2 At 0710h an initial briefing was conducted by Tony Clatworthy (Hamble HM) for all players outlining details of the spill scenario and what was hoped to be achieved. This was followed by a `safety briefing' presented by Richard Seddon, OSRL/EARL highlighting the key areas of safety concern, such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) weather conditions, working aboard vessels, deploying booms on mudflats, etc.

5.3 The gusty overnight weather conditions were improving as from 0730h, although wind was still south-westerly F4 - 5 but reducing during morning.

5.4 A full `Site Safety Management System' (SSMS) site assessment was conducted by an OSRL/EARL staff member - time taken 40 minutes, but did not include air quality measurement.

5.5 The boom deployment commenced at 0730h with a team comprising six OSRL/EARL responders led by Gareth McCorkill (UKR Team Leader) and six cadets from Warsash Maritime Academy, with jobs delegated to each team member as required. The plan was to deploy three cascading boom sections of boom on the eastern side of the river, from the foreshore at Warsash adjacent to the Harbour Office rather than a deployment right across the river (see Fig. 2 - Booms 1 - 3). At 0820h the first boom section was deployed and pulled into position by OSRL/EARL's 5m Rib `Sparrowhawk'. The UKR Regional Response Vehicle (RRV) and OSRL's Tier 2 equipment package was used for the deployment. Equipment used included 10m and 20m sections of Sea Sentinel boom and Shore Guardian booms, anchors, marker buoys and ropes.

5.6 OMT member (Phil Griffiths, HCC) arrived at 0815h.

Note: Oil Spill Management Team (OMT) consists of:

Harbour Master; Assistant Harbour Master Environment; Environment Agency; Coastguard; HCC Emergency Planning;

5.7 The HM gave a briefing to the OMT support staff (Hamble Harbour Office staff) on job roles and admin. tasks to be carried out during the exercise.

5.8 The IMT exercise (Incident Management Exercise) commenced at 0850h, time-compressed to 0430h. Information given that 5 - 10 tonnes of IFO 380 was released into the Solent after a collision between two vessels. All available members of the OMT (HCC, and Environmental Group) had now arrived and started to manage the response.

5.9 Injects concerning safety, public affairs and security were fed into the OMT throughout the exercise commencing at this point, by a series of telephone and verbal injects taken from cue cards. The group were asked to discuss how they would deal with each problem.

5.10 The OMT used a chart to plot the expected spill trajectory and then used information from the `Oil Spill Information Manager' (OSIS) computer model to give a more accurate prediction of the areas of beach impact in vicinity of the Hamble River (see Fig. 1). At this stage the HM confirmed he would be calling in a contractor to remove seaweed and debris from beaches before oil impact.

Fig. 2 Aerial view of River Hamble showing cascade boom configuration (Booms 1 - 3 deployed during exercise)

5.11 The use of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) was discussed and this was

down-loaded from the Internet.

5.12 A number of media and telephone calls from the public came in, mainly

requests for information by newspapers, TV news and the public calls were

reports of oiled birds on local beaches and compensation claims by boat-

owners.

5.13 A media statement was issued approximately 1½ hours after commencement

of the exercise. This was simulated as being managed by and through HCC Media Centre/Press office.

5.14 The exercise continued for approximately 3 hours, and then three groups of

stakeholders including local government, industry and residents, were given a

short briefing by the Harbour Master concerning the Hamble River Contingency Plan. OSRL/EARL as the harbours' Tier 2 oil spill contractor gave a short introductory talk and the environmental risks to the river in the event of an oil spill were discussed by Alison Crang the Assistant Harbour Master Environment.

Observations

The following observations were noted and brought up in the `hot-wash' meeting after the exercise.

5.15 Callout & Mobilisation - HM called OSRL/EARL emergency contact number at 0540h and presumed he was talking to the Duty Manager. He was in fact speaking to OSRL/EARL Security and the mobilisation message was not passed on to the DM by the officer. Also, the `Mobilisation Authorisation Form' was not completed and returned to OSRL according to our mobilisation protocol. This matter was fully investigated and procedures adopted by OSRL to overcome the problem in the future.

5.16 Briefing - In a real event this could have taken longer, to provide time to complete the Site Safety Management System (SSMS) by OSRL/EARL staff, issue PPE to outside contractors and conduct a full HSE briefing.

5.17 Setting up the Teams - The OSRL/EARL Tier 2 contract provides a response team comprising three responders plus a Team Leader, and will require back-up from either RHHA or contractors/volunteers to deploy the River Hamble protection boom, especially during poor weather or high range tides. In the case of this exercise, the extra manpower was welcome although the inexperience of the cadets slowed the process slightly. This of course will always be the situation.

5.18 Boom deployment - Need to amend the lengths of booms on the Plan:

RHHA requested navigational lights to be put on the boom for navigational purposes

5.19 Setting up Control Room

The administration of the control room was well thought out and pre-planned. The introduction of more display boards may be required to help assimilate information quicker, especially to visitors.

5.20 Communications

This was done well, but insufficient writing space and `follow-up' column.

People receiving / logging calls found it hard to hear caller above VHF `chatter' in Incident Command Room / Control Room.

Issue of `traffic' on VHF Channel 68.

Phone numbers that will be regularly required need to be more accessible to save referring to the OSCP each time (i.e. HCC Media Centre)

5.21 Stakeholders briefings

These all went very well, with all questions being answered in full. They gave an excellent opportunity to meet and discuss issues with other authorities who would be involved. Extra copies of the OSCP were requested by Eastleigh and Fareham Emergency Police Departments, and Eastleigh Environmental Health.

5.22 Demobilisation

This went well, and was completed within 1 hour of Endex. However, the addition of another person in a dry suit to assist with pulling in the boom across the mudflats on Warsash foreshore would have made things easier.

6 Recommendations and Actions

The recently revised `River Hamble Oil Spill Contingency Plan' (OSCP) was generally well used with clear communication and actions that were well performed and efficient. A number of recommendations are made as a result of the exercise:

6.1 Call-out

OSRL/EARL will investigate the issue of the mobilisation message not being passed on to Duty Manager, and we intend to conduct further training for our staff in the near future to ensure that the Tier 2 response service is mobilised as per our Service Level Agreement.

In a `real event' the procedure for activating OSRL/EARL is for the client to call the `Emergency Contact' Tel: 023 8033 1551 which will be answered by a Security Officer at its Southampton base. The Duty Manager will receive a notification call from OSRL/EARL Security and he will then call back the client (in this case, the Harbour Master) within a 10 minute timeframe, and will ask for a `Mobilisation Authorisation Form' to be signed and sent by fax to OSRL/EARL. The HM may also be asked to provide a `Notification Form' which gives the Duty Manager information on the characteristics of the oil, spill details, and weather conditions.

6.2 Oil Spill Contingency Plan

· Pre-prepared media holding statement to be available in electronic form - ready to complete and send by fax/e-mail

6.3 Boom deployment

· OSRL/EARL need to amend the lengths of booms in each cascade section and pass this information to RHHA for inclusion in the OSCP.

1^st section 90m, 2^nd section 80-100m dependant on tide, 3^rd section 100m.

This should provide a 30 metre overlap between booms.

· Navigational lights marking boom location to be made available by OSRL/EARL, although not an item kept aboard the RRV.

· Currently there is insufficient boom in the Southern RRV to deploy booms across the River Hamble (5 sections) - more boom to be made available and transported to site on another vehicle.

6.4 Control Room

· To maximise efficiency, the Incident Command Room / Control Room should be large enough for the OMT to work in and have telephone, internet, VHF, and fax access. It should also have areas where information can be displayed:

o Oil slick position and predicted route

o Weather - current and forecast

o Objectives

o Incident Action Plan

o Issues board

6.5 Communications

· Future `log sheets' need more writing space and an additional column to flag up where a follow up action is required.

· People receiving / logging calls should be located in a separate office as it was hard to hear above the VHF and Incident Command Room / Control Room discussions.

· Once VHF contact has been made on Channel 68, change to Channel 10.

· Phone numbers that will be regularly required need to be more accessible to save referring to the OSCP each time (i.e. HCC Media Centre)

6.6 Waste Management

Regardless of the size of the spill the issue of waste management requires addressing in the early stages in order to avoid unnecessary delays to recovery operations. Consideration should be given to the types of waste that are expected to be generated and their respective disposal routes. RHHA have confirmed they have a contractor that can be used for emergency clean up with manual and mechanical clean-up facilities.

6.7 Health and Safety

The most dangerous period of an oil spill is when the oil is freshly spilt. Freshly spilt oil will release gases and each blend of oil will release differing types and amounts of gases. These can be not only flammable but also acutely or chronically toxic. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the individual products will provide most of this information but this ought to be backed up by gas monitoring, An MSDS should be requested as soon as the product name is known and access to the site should be restricted until is it known that there is no danger to personnel. Advice is available from OSRL/EARL who hold an extensive portfolio of MSDS sheets.

7 Conclusion

In conclusion, the exercise proved to be a very good learning experience for all parties involved, especially the admin staff in the Harbour Office who had never participated in an oil spill exercise before. The incident was responded to in a calm and efficient manner by all staff with the Tier 2 resource being mobilised within the MCA OPRC guidelines.

A number of issues need to be addressed by the River Hamble Harbour Authority and OSRL/EARL, but the main issue would be the initial communication between the call-out authority and OSRL/EARL and would rank as most important in this context.

8 List of Visitors

Group 1 (11.00am)

Local businesses - Emergency Services - BC EP- HCC EP

Marine Police 2 officers with police patrol boat

Warsash Maritime College David Wilcox

Fire and rescue Richard Caws

Fareham BC (Parking & enforcement) Kevin Wright / Garry White

Fareham BC(Director of Regulatory Services)

Lyndhurst Police Insp. Jennings Sgt Murrant

* Hampshire CC EP Phil Griffiths

* Environment Agency Chris Musslewhite

Group 2 (11.30am)

Harbour Board

Cllr Bryant

Cllr Evans

Chris Moody

Dr Susie Thomson

David Evans

Kate Ball (HCC Press Office)

Group 3 (12.15pm)

Management Committee - Local Residents

Cllr Evans

Cllr Pepper

Cllr Sutton

Mr Lawrence MDL Marine Activities

Mr Frank Greensmith

Note:

* denotes Oil Spill Management Team (OMT) - plus Tony Clatworthy H.M. & Alison Crang AHM (Env.)

9 Personnel on Site and HSE Brief

Date: 24 September 2007