Marine Operations Code for Ports: Bulletin No.3 (February 1999)
Bulletin No.3 - February 1999
This is the third 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 1 . Copies of bulletins will be made available on request.
Background
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. The first bulletin, issued in December 1998, reported progress to date.
It is hoped to make substantial progress with the Code by mid-1999.
Meeting with Representative Bodies
A second meeting with representative bodies will be held on 1 March, at the end of the period for consultation on the outline. The main items for discussion then will be -
- the draft outline
- formal safety assessment and management
- training.
Drafting the Code
A first outline of the Code has been circulated to representative bodies with an invitation to comment on content by the end of February. Copies of the outline will be provided on request and comments are welcome from all comers. The outline includes a summary of harbour authorities' legal responsibilities for safety of navigation, and a first draft on the Code's reporting requirements, but is otherwise almost confined to chapter headings.
Formal Safety Assessment and Management Systems
A successful meeting on safety assessment and management systems was held on 13 January with six individuals experienced in applying the principles of safety assessment and management in the ports industry to discuss the approach to be used in the Code.
Methodology is clearly well-developed and it therefore possible to proceed now to a first draft of the relevant section of the Code. It was agreed that this would be undertaken by Nigel Pryke (Harwich Haven Authority) and Capt Jimmy Chetsnutt (ABP - Marine Advisor) with the aim of presenting an initial report at the meeting of representative bodies arranged for 1 March.
There is some concern that public consultation about hazards and risks identified in port areas may cause undue unease about the prevailing level of safety in ports, which is generally high. A strategy for frank but informed public consultation will need development.
Passage Planning
In view of the expected early progress on safety assessment and management, it has been decided to hold over for now the convening of a second group on passage planning: arrangements for this will be discussed on 1 March.
Training
Discussions have opened with the Bob Jones of the British Ports Industry Training Organisation, who are considering plans to develop a comprehensive technical standard in support of the Code, and whether this might also eventually underpin a qualification in port navigation. It is hoped to have a presentation by BPIT at the 1 March meeting.
Briefing
The Department made a lunch-time presentation on 26 January at IMO's 30th STW Conference, which was very well attended by about 50 delegates. This generated about 15 enquiries for further information on the Code.
1: Review of Pilotage Act 1987 (published by The Stationery Office July 1998) ISBN 0 11 753471 4
