Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Report for Information

1. Summary

1.1. This report summarises the activities and events on the River from 19 September 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. Recommendation

2.1 That the contents of the report be noted.

3. Background Information

3.1 The River has been patrolled daily by the Duty Harbour Master from 19 September 2008 from 0600hrs through to 2200hrs (2300hrs and 2359hrs on special occasions). Winter timings took effect from the 1 October 2008. During the winter the River is patrolled from 0830hrs until 1700hrs.

4. Incidents

4.1 20 September: Patrol attended to a drifting power boat at the entrance to the Harbour.

4.2 28 September: Patrol attended to an incident at the entrance to the Harbour. The patrol found three Laser dinghies and 1 Pico dinghy tangled around the double piles a beacon No. 7. The four dinghies were being towed by a RIB belonging to Warsash Sailing Club when one dinghy capsized causing difficulties. The patrol untangled the lines and towed a number of dinghies back to Warsash Sailing Club. During the incident the children were removed from the dinghies. The incident was possibly caused because the centre boards had remained in the water during the tow.

4.3 2 October; Report from Port Hamble of a fuel spillage. On further investigation by the Harbour Patrol a small spillage was discovered which had been contained by marina staff with absorbent booms. The marina had reported the incident immediately and appeared to have followed their pre-established responses.

4.4 11 October; Incident involving the yacht `Jolie Brise' and a moored boat. Slight damage to the canvas cover of the moored yacht. The bowsprit of `Jolie Brise' entered the plastic window of the canvas cockpit cover before the engine of the Jolie Brise could be put in astern.

4.5 12 October: The patrol assisted a yacht that had gone aground in the approach channel between the L and M moorings. The patrol pulled the boat off the mud. The yacht had attempted to approach his berth at low water through the channel when there was only 1.4 metres and his boat drew 2 metres.

4.6 The patrol also gave assistance to a number of other vessels with engine failure and on one occasion a yacht with a rope caught around its propellers. Vessels have been slowed by the patrol and on occasions verbal warnings have been given. One master was prosecuted and pleaded guilty - see paragraph 5 of this report.

5. Speeding And Wash Offence

(A verbal report was given to the Harbour Board on 19 September regarding this incident)

5.1 On Wednesday 17 September Southampton Magistrates issued fines totalling £460 (plus £2000 costs and £15 to the victim support fund) to a skipper caught speeding on the River Hamble - sending a powerful message to river users that speeding will not be tolerated.

5.2 Ian Thomas aged 48, of Southampton Solent University pleaded guilty to two charges; failure to navigate with due care and caution (a bye law, fined £130) and failure to comply with the maximum speed limit (a harbour master's general direction, fined £330) in a case brought by Hampshire County Council as the River Hamble Harbour Authority.

5.3 The River Hamble has a speed limit of six knots and a requirement to make minimum wash to ensure the safety of everyone who uses the river and to preserve its precious environment.

5.4 The court heard that Mr Thomas was operating his vessel, an 11 metre motor catamaran, at about 10 knots and causing a large wash which endangered a sailor working at the top of the mast on a nearby yacht.

6. Refuelling Boats from a Road Tanker

6.1 Following the information received about a proposal to refuel vessels direct from a road tanker, the Harbour Master wrote to all marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs. Advice and information was supplied to ensure other harbour users will be protected should this type of operation occur. The Harbour's Oil Spill Contingency Plan, which has been approved by the MCA and other agencies does not currently have a section covering refuelling from a road tanker. The plan would require an update to the main document and then approval for the amended plan would be sought from the MCA.

6.2 To ensure operators and owners of marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs fully understand the implications of permitting refuelling direct from a road tanker the following advice was included in the letter:

a. Obtain a copy of the fuel company's risk assessment.

b. Have sight of the fuel company's insurance detailing the cover supplied.

c. Ensure tier 1 oil spill equipment is readily available.

d. Agree who has responsibility for managing the operation.

e. Have sight of the fuel company's fuel dispensing licence (issued by the petroleum licensing officer at Hampshire County Council.

f. Check your own insurance does not become invalid.

g. Ensure fire fighting equipment is suitably positioned before the operation commences.

h. Consideration be given to the positioning of the fuel tanker, fuel line and the receiving vessel.

i. Contact the Harbour Office with details and to obtain consent before allowing the operation to proceed.

Marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs were also reminded that the polluter pays and there will also be the possibility of a court case should the Harbour Authority and other agencies wish to prosecute the polluter.

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.