Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

1. Executive Summary

1.1. This report summarises the incidents and events in the Harbour from 19 September 2009. Any incidents or events which take place after this report is distributed will be the subject of a separate Annex to be distributed at the meeting.

2. Report

2.1. The Harbour has been patrolled daily by the duty Harbour Master at various times between the hours of 0800 and 1800.

2.2. Incidents which have taken place since 19 September are set out below:

3. Incidents and events

3.1. 25 September. Harbour staff gave a `sea safety' talk and practical demonstration to a large group of local Cub Scouts, which was extremely well received.

3.2. 28 September. The buoys marking the `No boating area' off Hamble Jetty were removed for the winter.

3.3. 30 September. Diesel spill reported. Traced to discharge from motor vessel in Hamble Point Marina. All cleared up swiftly with full assistance by the crew of the motor vessel.

3.4. 30 September. Report of tender stolen from a boat at RK Marine. Later found adrift in the River. Police informed.

3.5. 3 October. A yacht lost its propeller in the main channel and became wedged between a pile and a pontoon. Patrol towed to safety.

3.6. 3 October. A yacht with a gearbox failure was towed to its berth. A charge was made for this service.

3.7. 9 October. A charter yacht grounded on the spit at the river entrance at approx 0545. patrol rendered assistance to deploy kedge anchor. Yacht refloated at 1315.

3.8. 11 October. Patrol intercepted a speedboat near the River entrance with two boys aged 10 and 11 in it, without adult supervision. Patrol escorted the boat to Swanwick slipway where mother was waiting.

3.9. 15 October. Attempted theft of 10hp outboard motor from dinghy. Police informed.

3.10. 17 October. A yacht with engine failure requested assistance at the River entrance. Patrol towed the yacht into River where the two was taken up by the Royal Southern Yacht Club launch.

3.11. 19 October. A yacht with engine failure asked for a tow to Universal Marina. Patrol responded but since this was a tow beyond the nearest safe berth, a charge was made.

3.12. 24 October. Reports of vandalism to boats on Fishermen's Jetty. Nothing stolen.

3.13. 26 October. Report of tender stolen from Harbour master's Jetty, Warsash. Police informed.

3.14. 27 October. Following abusive and threatening behaviour towards a staff member from the skipper of a visiting fishing vessel, include threats of damage to harbour Authority property, additional security measures were implemented.

3.15. 1 November. Harbour Master's Jetty (Warsash) damaged by visiting fishing vessel (a different boat to item 3.14 above). Owner offered to pay for repairs.

3.16. 1 November. RIB found semi-submerged alongside HP pontoon. Pumped out and returned to owner.

3.17. 3 November. High spring tide caused concern about the structure of the Upper Hamble Country park Jetty. Photos taken (see below). A structural survey has since been carried out and the results are awaited.

3.18. 4 November. Oil Spill response Limited carried out an exercise to deploy an oil boom from Warsash slipway to the Visitor's pontoon (B1 pile).

3.19. 4 November. Speeding motor boat stopped in upper Hamble. Verbal warning issued and owner written to.

3.20. 7 November. Assistance given to a yacht with engine failure at the River entrance. Towed to Harbour Master's Jetty (Warsash).

3.21. 7 November. Two Harbour Patrol vessels deployed to assist firework barge en route Swanwick bend for a private display and to stand by during the display. This was outside normal winter hours and a charge was made.

3.22. 8 November. A local fishing vessel ran aground just outside the River and was taking on water. Patrol rendered assistance and recovered the boat to a safe berth in the River.

3.23. 9 November. Maintenance dredging commenced at Universal Marina.

3.24. 10 November. A lorry on the M27 bridge spilt about 200 litres of diesel fuel onto the road. Patrol attended with oil spill clean-up equipment, but none of the fuel found its way into the River. Emergency services were in attendance but seemed unaware of the danger to the environment of the River and had not informed the Harbour Office of the incident.

3.25. 11 November. Patrol rendered assistance to a yacht aground on Hamble Spit - successfully refloated.

3.26. 14 November. Strong SW winds (50 knots +) caused extensive problems on the River. Patrol replaced numerous fenders, thereby preventing further damage, and secured sails and covers where required. A total of five vessels suffered from parted berthing lines resulting in damage to four of them. Berthing lines were replaced by the patrol, and owners were informed. It was noted that in each case the quality of the rope used for berthing lines was poor. Owners were reminded that berthing lines should be selected for good stretch characteristics so that the shock of large forces acting on the boat in high winds can be absorbed.

3.27. 15 November. An incident occurred overnight where a small tender with four persons on board had been reported in difficulties in the River. The Coastguard helicopter, Hamble Inshore Lifeboat and police were deployed and the four persons were eventually found safe and well. One had been recovered from the water.

3.28. 15 November. Further strong winds kept the Patrol busy replacing fenders and dealing with two more vessels with parted berthing lines.

3.29. 15 November. Patrol was called to assist a vessel aground in the vicinity of Stone Pier Yard - successfully refloated.

3.30. 18 November. Patrol rendered assistance to two more vessels with broken mooring/berthing lines as a result of continuing strong winds.

4. CCTV - current status

4.1 The power supply to the CCTV pile at Swanwick Bend has now been successfully re-instated and the entire system is working correctly.

5. Recommendation

5.1 That this report be noted.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Links to the Corporate Strategy