Marine Operations Code for Ports: Bulletin No.18 (May 2000)

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Bulletin No.18 - May 2000

This is the eighteenth 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 above 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

The Port Marine Safety Code has now been published.

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.

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!).

It is also possible to view and download the Code from the Department's web site

Any harbour authority which has not received a copy of the Code from the Department and wishes to have one should contact Jackie Shaw at the address below.

Occupational standards - British Ports Industry Training are leading the development of national occupational standards for all port marine professionals. The following are in preparation or planned:-

- marine pilots (now with QCA for accreditation - expected to be given in May)
- harbour masters (a Steering Group has had two meetings; has now split into drafting groups; and will re-convene on 25 May)
- pilotage exemption certificate guidelines (pending approval of marine pilot standards)
- port control (pending available resource)

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

Once competence standards have QCA accreditation, small groups will be convened to develop assessment criteria.

Guide to Good Practice

A representative group of harbour masters is assembling material for a Guide to Good Practice on Marine Operations. Copies of an outline are available on the same DETR web site as the Code. A first full draft is expected to be available for consultation before the end of May.

Possible Legislation - The review of the Pilotage Act made several proposals requiring legislation: a consultation paper on these is available from the above contact addresses.

Representative Bodies - The next meeting of representative bodies is on 21 June. The main item for discussion will be the planned first progress review, for which it is intended to issue a questionnaire at the end of June.

Presentations

A successful UKHMA seminar was held on 5 April. The afternoon was devoted to the New National Contingency Plan for marine pollution from ships. A presentation is planned for the T&G's Coastal Maritime Conference on 16 May; and at BPA's Scottish Committee on 22 June.

A series of regional meetings may be held during the early Summer, depending upon demand: expressions of interest (to Jackie Shaw) are sought as soon as possible.

Future Format of Bulletin

This Bulletin has a wide readership among interested parties and has proved to be a valuable means of communicating progress.

The format of the Bulletin has been changed once to increase detail. It is being reviewed again following publication of the Code: suggestions about the content and frequency of future issues will be welcomed. These should be sent to Andrew Burr at the address below.

Ports Division
Department for Transport,
Zone 2/29,
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR

Tel: 020 7944 5069
Fax: 020 7944 2188
e-mail: andrew.burr@dft.gsi.gov.uk