Greenslade Pleasure Boats Stuart Rawlinson - Parkstone Bay Marina

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF A MEETING OP THE passenger boat operators HELD ON Tuesday 19 th November 2013 AT a.m. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE HARBOUR OFFICE OF POOLE HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Brian Murphy HM, Poole Harbour Commissioners Richard Lacey - Poole Harbour Commissioners John Binder - Marina Manager Fiona Cope - Greenslade Pleasure Boats Stuart Rawlinson - Parkstone Bay Marina 1. INTRODUCTION AND ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN Brian Murphy, Harbour Master thanked everyone present for attending the meeting. Captain Brian Murphy was elected Chairman for the meeting. Richard Lacey advised that Mr David Hedgeman had recently been involved in a serious car accident. He further advised that following a telephone conversation that morning, he was pleased to announce that Mr Hedgeman was now out of hospital. On behalf of everyone present he wished Mr Hedgeman a speedy recovery. 2. APOLOGIES Apologies were received from Mr Jim Stewart PHC, Mr Kevin Walters Blue Line Cruises, Mr Matthew Greenslade Greenslade Pleasure Boats & Mr David Hedgeman Brownsea Island Ferries. 3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING The minutes of the meeting held on 14 th March 2013 were approved. 4. MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising from the last minutes. 5. HARBOUR MASTER S REPORT Safety Record Brian Murphy reported that the peak season from 1 st April to 30 th September 2013 was much improved over previous years. There were 73 reported incidents which have been broken down to 21 navigation incidents and 52 byelaw infringements. This compares to a total of 100 for the same period in 2012 and 114 in He further reported that all incidents are investigated and action taken accordingly, either by verbal education from Patrol Officers or a written warning from the Harbour Master. In some cases where there is sufficient evidence then prosecution proceedings will commence. The PHC enforcement policy is followed at all times.

2 Brian Murphy advised that an incident report form is available on the PHC website which also went out as a Local Notice to Mariners. Brian Murphy advised that the Annual Marine Safety report, covering the period 1 st April 2012 to 31 st March 2013 has been published and is available to download on the PHC website. He further advised that the independent Designated Person conducted a Safety Management System inspection on the 2 nd July The DP reported that PHC are still fully compliant with the PMSC. Prosecutions Brian Murphy reported that since the last meeting there have been three prosecutions as follows:- 2(aa) Speeding 1,120 2(aa) Speeding 1,030 Faversham Ships prosecuted under section 136 of the Merchant Shipping Act for failure to report an oil spill in the harbour 4,100 Harbour Patrols - Update Brian Murphy reminded those present that Poole Harbour Commissioners signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Dorset Police which would combine patrols within Poole Harbour using the Harbour Authority vessels. He further advised that this is not a statutory requirement of Poole Harbour Commissioners however the Board agreed to assist in securing a police presence on Poole Harbour waters. Brian Murphy reported that a 100% increase in patrol hours has been agreed equating to a minimum of 1,600 hours per year. This is at a cost of circa 50k per annum paid for by Poole Harbour Commissioners. He further reported that although the agreement was signed in April, joint patrols did not start until August 2013 due to delays in Dorset Police securing sufficient staff to fill a rota. There have been over 140 hours of joint patrols so far to include daylight hours and patrols late into the evening. Vessel Monitoring Improvements - Update Brian Murphy advised that at the last meeting he had advised of two Harbour monitoring improvements that Poole Harbour Commissioners had agreed to invest in. These were the 3D VTS monitoring equipment which has been very useful as part of incident investigation but more importantly for improved situational awareness during vessel monitoring. He further advised that the second radar and AIS receiver at the South Haven side of the Harbour entrance has now been installed with some final tweaks being carried out before commissioning. This is currently giving clear returns from the Isle of Wight but more importantly returns from all of the shipping channels in Poole Harbour. 2

3 Other Improvements Brian Murphy reported that the Transit lights for the turning basin have been upgraded. Brian Murphy advised that an additional post to the west of No 28 buoy in the small boat channel has been installed. Small Craft Emergency Protocol - Update Brian Murphy reminded those present that PHC were approached by Poole Yacht Club, Parkstone Yacht Club and Royal Motor Yacht Club with a view to producing an Emergency Protocol to be followed during a yacht racing incident in Poole Harbour. It was felt that co-ordinating needed to be improved in the event of an emergency. Brian Murphy advised that following informal consultation with HMCG and RYA, the draft document was produced which retains the HMCG as the primary coordinator whilst vastly improving communication links with all involved. He further advised that following a lengthy consultation period the Protocol has now been published and it is hoped that event organisers will include it in their risk assessments. Copies of the Protocol are available upon request. Two Bridge Operation Brian Murphy reported that the two bridge operation appears to be working well with positive feedback from users regarding the general operation and timetable. The Bridges Operating Board continues to review the operation and meets regularly throughout the year. Fiona Cope asked if it was true that commercial vessels could request lifts at any time. Brian Murphy confirmed that commercial lifts could be requested but not necessarily approved given the frequency of scheduled lifts. BM would check information on Borough of Poole website and discuss with Bridges Operating Board. ACTION - BM General Directions Brian Murphy advised that the PHC HRO 2012 came into force on the 23 rd July This HRO gave the Harbour master the powers of General Direction which allows for appropriate legislation to be introduced in a timely manner. He further advised that it is the intention to look at PHC current Byelaws and to modernise the relevant ones by publishing a set of General Directions. Brian Murphy reported that currently a permitting GD for Kitesurfing in Poole Harbour is being prepared following consultation with the kite surfing community. Harbour Dues Charges Brian Murphy advised that on the 25 th October the Board agreed to keep the 2014 Harbour Dues increase to RPI which was confirmed as 2.7%. This still equates to good value when compared to other authorities on the south coast. Other recreational charges will also increase by 2.7% however the Crown Estate charge will increase by the October RPI of 2.2% and be rounded up to the nearest pound as per agreement with CE. It was confirmed that this figure will be

4 6. CHIEF EXECUTIVE S UPDATE Richard Lacey updated the Committee on behalf of the Chief Executive. Richard Lacey reminded those present that the PHC Annual Open Evening will take place on Thursday 21 st November 2013 at 6.00 p.m. in the North Lounge of the Passenger Terminal. Richard Lacey confirmed that the Brittany Ferries vessel Cotentin had now ceased the Spanish route from Poole. He further advised that the Barfleur will not be operating from Poole from January 2014, returning in March He further advised that PHC had been approached by LD Lines and following negotiation, a trial berthing had been carried out by the vessel Norman Voyager. Richard Lacey confirmed that LD Lines are now carrying out two sailings per week with the vessel Norman Asturias from Poole to Santander in Northern Spain with the possibility of a third sailing going forward. Richard Lacey advised that the Norman Asturias is the largest vessel to enter Poole Harbour at 186 metres in length and this business is a major achievement for Poole Harbour Commissioners. Richard Lacey reported that Condor Ferries had now returned to Weymouth following extensive work to their quays. He further reported that Condor would return to Poole in the Spring. Richard Lacey advised that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was near completion and it was envisaged that this would go to the Board of Commissioners for approval before the end of the year. Richard Lacey reported that in June PHC were contacted by the Crown Estate as representations have been received from other marina operators. PHC were advised by Crown Estate that a tender process would be held and PHC duly submitted their tender in August Richard Lacey advised that following the tender process PHC were advised that Marina Developments Limited (MDL) were the preferred bidder. He further advised that following discussion with Crown Estate it has been announced that no decision will be made until January Richard Lacey further advised that PHC have requested details of the MDL scheme but to date this has not been forthcoming. 4

5 ANY OTHER BUSINESS John Binder requested that all operators undertake good house-keeping on the quay. He raised his concerns that ropes are left in the water or not tied properly. Stuart Rawlinson advised that he wished to be considered for pontoons adjacent to the Pilot Office where currently Greenslade Pleasure Boats are also located. Brian Murphy requested that SR produce a proposal and come back to PHC to discuss further. SR to contact Annie Willats to arrange date in due course. Fiona Cope asked when further maintenance would be undertaken on Town Quay as without fenders their vessels would be suffer significant damage. Brian Murphy advised that some work was already in hand but he would speak to the Harbour Engineer to determine when further remedial work would be undertaken. ACTION BM Fiona Greenslade thanked the Harbour Master and advised that she had always found PHC to be approachable. Richard Lacey advised that PHC were through to the final three for the Customer Service Award for the Dorset Business Awards. He reminded those present that Annie Willats won PA of the Year in DATE OF NEXT MEETING Wednesday 5 th March 2014 at a.m. 5