Marine Operations Code for Ports: Bulletin No.16 (March 2000)

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Bulletin No.16 - March 2000

This is the sixteenth of a series of monthly bulletins issued by the Department to report progress with development of a Port Marine Safety Code, 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 such a Code should be developed, covering all port marine 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 providing copious port and seafaring experience at a high level.

Publication

Keith Hill, Minister for Shipping, will publish the Port Marine Safety Code on 13 March.

Copies of the Code (ISBN 1 85112 365 2) will be priced at £10.

The publications home page contains information on how and where you can obtain publications produced by the Department for Transport.

There is no e-mail ordering facility at present.

It will also be possible to view and download the Code from the Department's web site.

A copy of the Code will be sent to all competent harbour authorities, with details of the timetable for implementation. An additional selected free distribution will also be made (please do not apply!).

Consultation

Representative bodies have been kept informed through periodic meetings at which key issues can be discussed. The last meeting prior to finalising the text was on 17 January. the next one will immediately follow publication on 13 March.

The meeting will address the following items:

Publication and implementation - There will be an initial discussion, including a review of opportunities to spread the word and meet implementing authorities.

Competence Standards - British Ports Industry Training are about to submit a draft national occupational standard for marine pilots for QCA accreditation expected to be given in May.

Work starts at a meeting on 2 March on a standard for harbour masters. A wider consultation exercise will be undertaken later.

Copies of available drafts are obtainable from them at:

8 Kings Court, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7SG
tel:- 01638 616161
fax:- 01638 616160
e-mail:- info@bpit.co.uk

BPIT has obtained DfEE funding for a project with the industry and maritime colleges for development work on courses related to the emerging standards.

Guide to Good Practice

A representative group of harbour masters has undertaken to assemble material for a Guide to Good Practice on Marine Operations. They are preparing a first draft with a view to commencing consultation at the UKHMA seminar on 5 April (see below).

Possible legislation - the review of the Pilotage Act made several proposals requiring legislation: a consultation paper will be trailed at the meeting on 13 March and will be available thereafter from the above contact addresses. The paper will also cover proposals for legislation arising from the Trust Ports Review.

Presentations

The Department made a presentation to the South West Ports Association 25 February; another is scheduled for the European Maritime Pilots' Association on 30 March, in Antwerp. Consideration is being given to meetings with MCA's District Marine Safety Committees, and with BPA's Scottish Committee.

A UKHMA seminar is being held on 5 April concentrating on the Guide to Good Practice. The afternoon is devoted to the New National Contingency Plan for marine pollution from ships. Places are likely to be at a premium again, even though extra space is being sought.