PRESENT: Brian Murphy Poole Harbour Commissioners Poole Harbour Commissioners

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF A MEETING Of THE boatyards & mooring contractors HELD ON Tuesday 9 th april 2013 AT 1400 HOURS IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE HARBOUR OFFICE OF POOLE HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Brian Murphy Jim Stewart Richard Lacey Jacky Hardy John Binder Poole Quay Boat Haven Limited John Stevenson Stevensons Moorings Dan Jenkins Jenkins Marin James Sydenham Salterns Boatyard Lorraine Murdoch Davis s Boatyard Lance Murdoch Davis s Boatyard Jimmy Warrington-Smyth Parkstone Bay Marina Jem Mills Sandbanks Yacht Company Jacqui Pethen Ridge Wharf Yacht Club Charlie Chapman Parkstone Yacht Club Rob Brackstone Lilliput Sailing Club 1. INTRODUCTION Brian Murphy, Harbour Master, thanked everyone present for attending the meeting. James Sydenham was elected Chairman for the meeting. 2. APOLOGIES Apologies were received from: Simon Chalk Sunseeker, Stuart Rawlinson Parkstone Bay Marina, Richard Marshall/Peter Hogsden MDL Limited, Rob Brackstone, Lilliput Sailing Club & Robin Culpan Lake Yard 3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING The minutes of the meeting held on 17 th October 2012 were approved. 4. MATTERS ARISING Agenda Item No. 4 James Sydenham requested numbers of visitors to Town Quay. John Binder reiterated that he had supplied this information. Brian Murphy advised that only Salterns Marina provided visitor numbers to Poole Harbour Commissioners. After discussion Brian Murphy requested that when sending in returns to PHC, all clubs to ensure that visitors are clearly marked on the return document. Post Note: Parkstone Yacht Club also provide visitor numbers. James Sydenham advised that he had received a telephone call last year advising that a representative from PHC would be visiting Salterns Marina. After discussion Brian Murphy advised that a procedure is in place for non-payment of Harbour Dues. PHC will always contact marinas and clubs in advance of a visit when checking if Harbour Dues decals are displayed on the vessels. Brian Murphy further advised that no club or marina has or will be singled out.

2 -2- James Sydenham advised that two vessels were not displaying Harbour Dues decals in the Poole Quay Boat Haven Limited. John Binder advised that a Harbour Master s letter had been sent to the owner of one of the vessels, and the other owner had just purchased his decal. Representatives at the meeting advised that it was a step in the right direction to reduce daily and weekly Harbour Dues. Brian Murphy reported that this subject had been brought up at a Poole Yachting Association meeting and the Commissioners had approved the decision to reduce charges in order to encourage more visitors to Poole. Agenda Item No. 7 with regard to lifting out of vessels, Jim Stewart advised that PHC had engaged consultants to look at this. 5. HARBOUR MASTER S REPORT Safety Record Brian Murphy reported that during the off peak season from 1 st Oct to 28 th Feb 2013; there were 16 reported navigational incidents and 6 minor oil pollution incidents. This compares to 30 and 3 in 2011 and 16 and 2 in 2010 during the same periods. He further reported that the majority of incidents were due to wash and close quarters situations. 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. The Annual Marine Safety report, covering the period 1 st April 2012 to 31 st March 2013, is currently being produced and will be published following the May Board meeting. Brian Murphy advised that PHC had been subject to sabotage on one of their vessels where the fuel tank had been contaminated with a sugary substance causing engine problems. Prosecutions Brian Murphy advised that following the last meeting in April, five successful prosecutions have been achieved. He further advised that the cases were as follows:- 2(a) Navigating without due care or caution (aa) Speeding (aa) Speeding (e) Operating PW without HM permission (a) Navigating without due care or caution (Case dating back to )

3 -3- Two Bridge Operation Brian Murphy advised that he had stood down as Chairman of the Bridges Operating Board. The Chairperson of the Poole Harbour Association, Lynda Bourne, has taken over that role. BM advised that the summer timetable has been published and is available on the PHC website. Brian Murphy advised that the Bridges Operating Board continues to monitor the two bridges going forward. Brian Murphy reminded that the Bridges Operator can be contacted on VHF Channel 12 using call sign Poole Bridge. Harbour Monitoring Improvements Brian Murphy confirmed that the 3D VTS Vessel monitoring equipment has now been installed. BM requested that operators consider fitting AIS to their vessels as an added safety measure. System A could also indicate persons onboard. Improvements to radar and AIS coverage are ongoing. PMSC Audit Brian Murphy confirmed that the last external audit to review compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code was undertaken by the Designated Person working for marine consultants Marico Marine. The Designated Person stated that all the indications are that Poole Harbour continues to be fully compliant with the Port Marine Safety Code. All internal quarterly audits have been carried out. As a result of all audits the Safety Management System continues to be updated and improved. Personal Watercraft At the last meeting Brian Murphy reported on proposals to amend the regulations concerning the use of a Personal Watercraft (PW) in Poole Harbour. This was following a collision between two PW s in the harbour. Following a 28 day consultation period the regulations have been changed which can be viewed on the PHC website. The changes were approved by PHC at the December 2012 board meeting. A question was raised regarding the speed limit being moved before the 1 st April, concerns were raised that not all harbour users were aware of this decision. Brian Murphy advised that as the Easter weekend was held in March, a Special Direction was issued via VHF Channel 14 to bring the speed limit forward to cover the Easter Bank Holiday. He further advised that this was promulgated when the speed limit LNTM was sent out.

4 -4-6. CHIEF EXECUTIVE S UPDATE Jim Stewart advised that are very much aware of the increase in criminal activity within Poole Harbour combined with the uncertainty of the Dorset Police Marine Section. He further advised to this end PHC have made a proposal to Dorset Police that will combine patrols on PHC vessels within Poole Harbour. A 100% increase in patrol hours has been budgeted which will cost circa 40k. Jim Stewart reported that this is not a PHC statutory requirement but the Board felt that something had to be done to secure a Police presence in Poole Harbour for the sake of harbour users and stakeholders. He advised that combined patrols will start from the Easter weekend. Jim Stewart advised that it would be advisable to have each marina or club s security personnel check vessels on a regular basis in order that the time of any crime can be ascertained. Jim Stewart advised that Government had asked every major port to produce a Master Plan for the next years. The Chief Executive reported that PHC have gone through a lengthy consultation period and had received many responses. He further reported that up to 60 presentations and meetings had taken place. Jim Stewart advised that the final Master Plan had now been approved by the Board and this plan and other supporting documentation will be available on the PHC website shortly. He further advised that the Commissioners would be looking at moving forward with projects such as deepening quays which would encourage cruise ships, liner vessels and bulk cargoes and reorganising the port estate. He reported that the Commissioners would also be looking at creating a Marine Awareness Centre and extended marina on Town Quay which would incorporate interactive displays, a permanent display of historic vessels and a public viewing area. He also reported that were looking to encourage J class yachts, tall ships and super yachts to Poole. He further reported that PHC would be looking to provide toilet and lift out facilities and a water taxi. Jim Stewart reported that a final decision would be made by the Marine Management Organisation. Jim Stewart advised that two other organisations had shown an interest in submitting an application for an extended marina in the same location as the Commissioners. Jim Stewart advised that he was aware that there were organisations that might not welcome the Commissioners plans, but in order for PHC to survive, diversification was essential. James Sydenham raised the issue of a legal dispute that was on-going regarding the 106 Agreement pertaining to the Poole Quay Boat Haven. He confirmed that Davis s Boatyard, Salterns Marina and Lake Yard were the three organisations contesting the 106 Agreement. He further advised that PHC s new proposals would clearly affect local businesses. James Sydenham requested a list of swinging moorings that are currently in Poole Harbour.

5 -5- Richard Lacey confirmed that there was a legal challenge against the Borough of Poole regarding a fundamental dispute as to the definition of a visiting vessel in the Poole Quay Boat Haven. He further advised that this meeting was not the forum to discuss this issue the matter was sub judice. He did advise that the Port of Poole Marina could be discussed at the meeting. Jim Stewart recognised that certain operators had suffered a loss of business as a result of the new Twin Sails Bridge. He advised that the Port of Poole Marina was one of UK s most expensive marinas and PHC do not subsidise any new berths to customers. Concerns were raised regarding un-occupied moorings within Poole Harbour. Brian Murphy advised that the Moorings Manager carefully monitors un-occupied moorings and if these are unoccupied for any length of time, the moorings are then removed. Jim Stewart advised that PHC would continue to examine the demand for an additional marina in Poole Harbour. He further advised that the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) have a duty to look at the Environmental Review and the needs case before any decision is made. Jim Stewart advised that he would be happy to discuss any concerns with members and the way forward after the meeting or at a convenient time going forward. 7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS None 8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Tuesday 8 th October 2013 at 2.00 p.m.