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 31 January 2008. 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 private mooring pontoons being replaced or newly installed on the River must be fitted with a safety ladder and that all the owners of all other pontoons should be asked to consider fitting a safety ladder.

That the remaining contents of this report be noted.

3. Report

3.1 The River has been patrolled daily by the Duty Assistant Harbour Master from 1700hrs until 1800hrs. Two summer coxswains commenced work on the 18 March with the remaining two due to start work on the 28 April.

4. Incidents

4.1 5 February: Harbour Office received a telephone call from HM Coastguard with information of a Pan Pan call from a RIB aground on Hamble Spit. A patrol boat and crew were immediately dispatched and on arrival found a 5.5 metre RIB in difficulties in the surf which was building on the shoreline. The patrol managed to get a line to the RIB and tow it into deeper water. On further inspection it was found that the helm had received injuries to his face. The Coastguard had already scrambled Calshot Lifeboat and also requested an ambulance to attend at Warsash. The RIB was recovered to the Harbour Master's Jetty by the patrol and handed over to Calshot Lifeboat. The ambulance crew dealt with the casualty. During the Harbour Master's questioning of the helm it was discovered that the RIB had driven across the spit from the direction of Southampton, hitting the spit causing the engine to stall and damaging the propeller. During the impact with the spit the helm hit his face on the console, causing cuts and bruising. The RIB was then washed up along the shoreline before being rescued by the patrol.

4.2 10 February: Following a call from a mooring holder the patrol attended the scene of a reported theft. Police called by the patrol and two youths are under investigation.

4.3 11 February: Sailing yacht entered River with fishing net around its propeller. Patrol gave assistance to the vessel.

4.4 13 February: The theft of a PWC from Universal Marina was reported. Information passed to the police.

4.5 15 February: Reports of diesel found on the surface of the water in and around Port Hamble. Patrol and Dockmasters unable to trace source. It was assumed an automatic bilge pump had evacuated the bilge without the crew aboard the vessel. The slick was quickly broken up and dispersed.

4.6 17 February: Assistance given during the recovery of a casualty from a vessel in Southampton Water. Lifeboat and ambulance crews also involved.

4.7 19 February: The patrol received a report of a man being found in the water following the capsize of his tender. The rescued man was middle aged and was suffering from the affects of the cold. He was wearing a buoyancy aid and had been in the water for approximately 5 minutes. He was found clinging to a private pontoon, unable to get out of the water. He was assisted by a passing vessel and taken to Mercury Marina where full assistance was given including the use of a hot shower. The tender was small and of narrow beam. Following this incident, the question of fixing safety ladders to private pontoons was raised and a preliminary risk assessment was completed. The risk assessment showed that some action would be required to manage this potential risk. It is therefore recommended at this stage that consent to replace or newly-install a private pontoon in the future should be conditional upon fitting a suitable safety ladder to the pontoon. All mooring holders currently owning a private pontoon will also be asked to consider installing a safety ladder in the interim.

4.8 21 February: A private pontoon which had broken its back was discovered by the patrol. The pontoon was made secure and the owner contacted by the patrol.

4.9 22 February: Report of an outboard engine being stolen from Mercury Marina. Police informed.

4.10 23 February: Report of a small cabin cruiser/sports boat being stolen from its moorings. Police informed and an investigation is underway following recovery of the boat.

4.11 29 February: A commercial fishing vessel was found aground on Hamble Spit. The vessel was recovered and a report sent to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

4.12 1 March: Patrol found a pontoon that had split in two. The pontoon was secured and the owner informed.

4.13 1 March: Patrol called to the area of Lands End to investigate tampering of vessels by youths. Police informed and investigation continuing.

4.14 2 March: Report received from the Coastguard of a 16 foot sports boat with a family aboard being aground in the Upper Hamble after the failure of the engine. Patrol attended and found the boat being pushed onto the mud above Manor Farm Country Park. Boat was recovered by patrol. Occupants included two adults and three young children. All were safely recovered.

4.15 3 March: Patrol attended during the lift out of a 55 yacht that was found sinking in Swanwick Marina. Patrol stood by with extra pumping equipment. Boat was lifted out safely causing no pollution.

4.16 5 March: Swanwick Marina report that a vessel had departed and during its manoeuvring had damaged a number of other vessels and requested that we stop the vessel. The patrol was unable to locate the offending vessel.

4.17 6 March: Maritime and Coastguard Agency staff took industrial action from 0800hrs on 6 March until 0800hrs on 7 March. All harbours were requested to keep a listening watch on VHF channel 16.

4.18 8 March: The dinghy racing event `The Warming Pan' took place successfully in the River, with assistance from the Patrol.

4.19 9 March: The Harbour Office was contacted by the Environment Agency with a warning that there was a risk of coastal flooding for Monday and Tuesday following the forecast of a storm force 10 from the south west overnight. All marinas and boatyards were informed of the warning. The patrol carried out a pre-storm check ensuring moored vessels were as safe as could be expected.

4.20 10 March: Storm force 10 southerly experienced reducing to force 4/5 at around 0700hrs. Luckily during the strong winds it was low tide and the entrance to the River was therefore protected by Hamble spit. The patrol checked the full length of the River for damage and dealt with the following: one boat found being held down by its mooring warps, four parted lines and a vessel with a parted bow warp found swung round onto another boat on the next mooring. All owners informed.

4.21 10 March: Patrol rescued a walker from Bunny Meadows footpath.

4.22 10 March: Patrol rescued a small yacht that had parted its mooring warps.

4.23 11 March: Patrol found a pontoon broken free from its moorings. Patrol secured pontoon and instructed owner to remove pontoon.

5. Impact Assessments

5.1 This report provides a position statement only, therefore an impact assessment, in terms of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act, has not been undertaken.