MEETING OF THE PADSTOW HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS 05/13 HELD AT THE PADSTOW HARBOUR OFFICE

Transcription

1 MEETING OF THE PADSTOW HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS 05/13 HELD AT THE PADSTOW HARBOUR OFFICE ON THURSDAY 16 th May 2013 AT 7.00PM Present: Apologies: Mr D R Martin, Mr B Smith, Mr M England, Mr M Hewitt, Mr W Jago, Mr B Murt, Capt R Atkinson, Mr S Summers, Mr G Saunders Mr W Chown In Attendance: To Take Information and Comments from Any Members of the Public Present: Mrs N Dyer, Assistant Administrator, 4 members of the public and 1 member of the press. Mr S Farley, owner of the Celtic Warrior addressed the meeting to express his concern that there is a lack of suitable berthing space in the south dock. He informed the Commissioners that he had been called out 3 times in the previous week to shift his boat and even though he supported the harbour s new policy to double up with another suitable vessel when possible, in practice he felt that this was not workable. Furthermore, he stated that the berth that he had used for the past 2 seasons has been claimed by a new vessel to the port which has meant he has had to use his Pool mooring more often this year. HM informed Mr Farley that he entrusts the berthing of boats to the Berthing Masters who are very able in their duties. The Berthing Masters always do their best to accommodate vessels, however, when the port is busy there will be occasions when vessels will be required to double up (if compatible) and/or move their boat. BM felt it was inconsiderate that Mr Farley had been called out on so many occasions to shift his boat over such a short period of time. One of the call outs had arisen due to confusion regarding repairs to a ladder and it was agreed to place keep clear signs on ladders undergoing repairs in the future. After discussion, it was generally felt that this had been a one off event and it was agreed HM make the Berthing Masters aware of these issues. Mr D Lockwood, owner of the speedboat Sea Fury requested his Pool mooring be moved 15ft north east away from the bar as his boat is going aground at low water in the current position. HM to investigate and relocate at the owners expense if sufficient room. Mr P O Neil, owner of the speedboat Jaws requested a 17/06/2013 1

2 bit more D fendering on the top edge of the ferry slipway. Agreed. Invoices and Payments for the period ending Invoices and payments totalling 193, had been paid for the period 13 th April to 10 th May DM commented that the annual insurance renewal payment to Aston Scott was similar to the previous year. HM explained that it was a fixed price with a small annual increase (subject to certain criteria) and this was the final year of a 3 year fixed term. Next year PHC will go out to market to obtain the best quote from insurance providers. BM enquired about the length of time the diggers were on hire from E A Grey. HM stated that there were a few diggers on hire for various works on the Harbour Estate. SS informed HM that diggers could be cross hired through Jewsons from A Plant Hire. Approval of Minutes 04/13 Matters Arising from Meeting 04/13 The Minutes were passed as a true and accurate record of the meeting. Proposed by ME and seconded by WJ. Annual Accounts Report HM has updated the narrative where relevant and produced a separate sheet of 2012 completed projects. Next year the 2012 projects will be incorporated into the business review and a separate sheet drawn up of 2013 completed projects. The annual accounts for the year ended 31 December 2012 were signed by the Chairman. CCTV Domes Fisherman s Stores / South Dock The meeting to evaluate the installation of new CCTV cameras had been postponed. This has now been rescheduled for next week. Fishing Vessel Pontoon - Outside of Lock Gate The order has been placed with Walcon. St Minver Lowlands AGM 20 th May 2013 WJ will attend this meeting and represent the Commissioners. Proposed Extension to Rock Quarry Car Park HM has arranged a meeting with Tim Swainson, John Grimes Partnership to evaluate the feasibility of expanding the RQCP. If the Commissioners decide to proceed with this project HM to engage John Grimes Partnership to consult with Natural England (SSSI Site) and apply for the necessary planning permission. Financial Briefing The Commissioners were presented with a statement of bank balances and a summary of current debtors. Also tabled was a profit and loss account for the first 4 months of this year. 17/06/2013 2

3 Correspondence Simon Honey, DEFRA Tim Marshall s Several Order write to check if the use of withies for the proposed Several Order will not impede navigation or raise any other concerns with PHC. HM has replied objecting to marking the outer extremities of the area with buoys or withies on the grounds that it would pose a hazard to navigation and that PHC s preference is for the area to be just bounded by GPS coordinates. Robert Readhead Use of Propeller Safety Guards Following the recent tragedy on the estuary, Mr Readhead writes to request that PHC consider imposing a modification to powerboats to be fitted with a prop guard. PHC are always open to ideas that will help improve the safety of the water users within the harbour limits, however, they wish to wait for the MAIB enquiry report before considering any such safety measures further. Gillian Thompson St Minver Lowlands Parish Council has forwarded an from Clean & Tidy UK which may be of interest to PHC. The company offers contracts for cleaning, maintenance and unlocking/locking services for public toilets. After discussion, it was agreed to obtain a quote for the unlocking/locking of the RQCP toilets from Clean & Tidy UK. Michael Taylor, Radio Cornwall has ed to request details of any collisions, near misses, groundings and poor seamanship incidents that have been reported to PHC in the last 3 years. HM has replied to this . Port Administrators Business RHIB Incident HM informed the Commissioners of the tragic incident that had occurred in the river on Sunday, 5 th May over the Bank Holiday weekend. A family were making a high speed run down from the direction of Pentire Point towards St Saviours Point, when their RHIB went into a starboard turn just past Georges Well ejecting all 6 people from the boat. The engine of the RHIB did not cut out and the boat came back around in a circle and went through the people in the water resulting in 2 fatalities, 2 persons with serious injuries and 2 persons with minor injuries. The RHIB was out of control for a short while until Charlie Toogood managed to get aboard. The RHIB was then brought back into Padstow Harbour. HM praised the staff that were on duty that day who had to cope with quite harrowing conditions. They did an excellent job marshalling the crowds and helping the emergency services access the port. This was a major incident and all the agencies involved in the rescue operation did an excellent job. The incident is subject to a police enquiry supported by the MAIB branch and HM has cooperated fully and is continuing to give every assistance 17/06/2013 3

4 that he can to help them carry out their investigations. The Commissioners expressed their condolences to the family. There was talk of a memorial service on the quay but it was felt too soon for the emergency services who had responded on the day. It is hoped to hold a memorial service on the quay sometime in the near future. Courageous II - Incident HM advised that in the early hours of Monday, 29 th April the converted fishing vessel Courageous II attempted to anchor under Stepper Point but ran aground on the sandbank. The crew managed to get off the sandbank and recover their anchor but as they headed out to sea the vessel lost drive to the propeller and was swept onto Greenaway rocks, breaking up shortly afterwards. The 4 crew, who are regular visitors to Padstow for the May Day celebrations, were rescued by the Padstow Lifeboat. Prompt action was taken by the harbour and authorities to minimise any pollution coming from the vessel as it was breaking up on the rocks. HM is liaising with the Coastguard, DRS Demolition (appointed by the loss adjusters) and local authorities to remove the wreckage from the beach. This is proving to be quite challenging as access to the beach is extremely restrictive. It would have been more practical to burn the debris in situ on the beach but this was not permissible with the EA for environmental reasons. HM tried to pre-empt the EA that the debris would be washed off the beach if the weather turned unfavourable on the next big tide. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the case and the wreckage was scattered in the channel and on Polzeath and Daymer beaches. A Notice to Mariners has been publicised warning that wreckage may be encountered in the channel. The responsibility for the clean-up lies with the landowner and insurers of the boat, however, PHC s role is to ensure there is no pollution or navigational risk in the channel. Disabled Parking Outside Rock Inn HM has been contacted by a blue badge holder requesting permission to park on the Rock Road just outside the Rock Inn as he has difficulty walking too far. PHC are unable to consider this request as they have an obligation to try and keep the roadway clear as a condition of their lease and to vehicles operating in an emergency. The gentleman will be writing to the Duchy of Cornwall as the landowner. Access over PTC / PHC Land HM has been contacted by DGW Sand s solicitor for evidence of a right of way to cross over PTC land onto the South Pier. The PTC has written to DGW Sand and St Eval Recycling asking them to sign a licence to continue taking sand over council land. HM advised that with the summer season now upon us he 17/06/2013 4

5 would not have time to check through the deeds. The Commissioners were of the opinion that PHC would have acquired rights of way by long usage. New Ice Plant The power supply trenching works has been completed and the installation of power cables into the ducting along the quay should be completed soon. Approval has been received from the MMO with regard to changing the conditions of the grant offer. HM will be signing the contract for the new ice plant tomorrow - the lead time is 14 weeks from date of order. Dredger Mannin Is currently on charter with DRS Demolition and on standby to pick up wreckage on Greenaway. HM has some dredging planned in the area where the tripping boats work for next week. The next contract is with Ramsgate for approximately 21 days work. There have been some maintenance problems with the winch lagging on the crane and due to its age sourcing parts can be difficult. Items for Discussion BM raised the issue of safety of the Berthing Masters whilst working alone over May Day. AGREED to engage the services of Cayton-Walker Security Services from 4pm to midnight for next May Day HM to action. The meeting voted to go In Committee. There being no further business the meeting closed at 2120 hours. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 20 th June 2013 at 7.00 pm in the Padstow Harbour Office. The meeting now went into Committee 17/06/2013 5

6 17/06/2013 6