Marine Operations Code for Ports: Bulletin No.12 (November 1999)

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Bulletin No.12 - November 1999

This is the twelfth of a series of monthly bulletins issued by the Department to report progress with development of a Marine Operations Code for Ports, following recommendations in the Department's review of the Pilotage Act. The review of the Pilotage Act 1987 followed a Marine Accident Investigation Branch report on the SEA EMPRESS. The report's main proposal was that a "Marine Operations Code for Ports" should be developed, covering all port safety functions, and not just pilotage. Enquiries, contributions and comments (including e-mails) may be made to Andrew Burr, Colin Morris, Cameron Clark or Jackie Shaw at the previous address.

This Bulletin gives a monthly summary of progress with the Code project, which is in three parts:

  • The Code itself, setting a standard for the discharge of duties and powers of harbour authorities
  • Competence Standards, for all disciplines managing the safety of port navigation
  • A Good Guide Practice, giving operational guidance on the requirements of the Code.

The project is led by the Department with help from ad hoc groups of professionals from the industry.

Consultation

Representative bodies are kept informed through periodic meetings at which key issues can be discussed. Attendance at these meetings - and support for ad hoc groups - is good and at a high level. There have been three such meetings so far. The last was on the 22 October.

The purpose of this meeting was to launch the final round of consultation on the text of the Code, and to report progress on the competence standards for marine pilots; and to introduce work on the Good Practice Guide.

Following this meeting, the Department has issued the draft Code with an explanatory covering letter. This letter sets out the latest position in some detail. Copies of the letter and draft are available on our internet site or from Jackie Shaw at the above address. The deadline for comment is 31 December 1999.

British Ports Industry Training are undertaking a separate consultation on the draft competence standards for marine pilots. These are obtainable from them at -

8 Kings Court, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7SG

tel:- 01638 616161
fax:- 01638 616160
e-mail:- info@bpit.co.uk

The deadline for comment on this draft is 30 November 1999.

Best Practice Guide

A group of senior port managers has undertaken to assemble material for a best practice guide. The Department's consultation letter encloses a first outline - also available on the internet site. A lot of further work is needed to bring this to readiness when resources can be taken from the Code itself. Comments are sought at this stage on the items to be included, and the level of detail required. Views are welcomed on how far this sort of document can go - and what is required beyond that.

Competent Harbour Authorities

A presentation was made to the meeting on 22 October of the review the Department is undertaking of harbour authorities which may not be competently exercising pilotage powers conferred by the 1987 Act. 44 authorities have been considered. The following conclusions have been reached -

No change necessary

14

Rationalise areas

5

Powers not required

22

Keep under review

2

One has yet to respond to enquiries. The Department is preparing a consultation paper on these findings which will be circulated shortly. Further discussions are planned with authorities where there appears to be a case for change.

Presentations

A series of presentations is planned during the consultation period. A presentation was made to the BPA Conference (in Douglas) on 7 October. UKHMA have a seminar in London on 9 November. This is being supported by the Nautical Institute and the Institute of Marine Engineers. It is 'sold out'. UKPA have arranged a question and answer session at their Conference on 11 November, also in London.