Marine Operations Code for Ports: Bulletin No.6 (May 1999).
Bulletin No.6 - May 1999
This is the sixth 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 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.
Enquiries and submissions on the Code should be made to Andrew Burr at the above address. They may also be made there to Colin Morris, Cameron Clark and Jackie Shaw (e-mail addresses are the same substituting the appropriate name).
Drafting the Code
A few comments have been received on the second outline draft of the Code, produced just before Easter - more would be welcome. Copies are available on request (by e-mail if possible).
Further drafting work is addressing first the use of directions by harbour authorities and harbour masters - including pilotage directions. The next main subject will be the provision of pilotage services, including the authorisation of pilots. Another outline will be produced as soon as there is sufficient additional material.
Passage Planning
A meeting with selected experienced personnel was held 21 April to discuss the treatment of passage planning in the Code. This will be included in the section on directions since these are the means of giving plans regulatory force.
The meeting reached broad agreement along the lines already set out in the report of the Review of the Pilotage Act. It was emphasised that plans must take account of a wide variety of local circumstances; and that provisions in the Code must recognise this. It is proposed to show a draft section of the Code to those participating in the meeting before releasing it in the next outline draft.
Competence Standards
British Ports Industry Training has secured funding to develop competence standards as required to support the Code. A steering group of around 18 members (including four pilots) is being assembled to support this work, and the first meeting is scheduled for 8 June. A series of perhaps six further meetings are likely at roughly monthly intervals.
Best Practice Guide
The April Bulletin indicated that an early start would be made on developing the proposed Best Practice Guide in support of the Code: this has been delayed by other priorities. It is hoped to convene a 'brainstorming' session on the scope of this Guide by the end of June, on similar lines to the Steering Group for competence standards.
Review of Competent Harbour Authorities
The April Bulletin reported that the Department has started a review of authorities which have pilotage powers which are apparently not appropriate or not needed. There has been a good response from target authorities and visits to some have begun. Enquiries on this should be addressed to Cameron Clark (see above).
Presentations
Three presentations have been scheduled for May -
- British Tugowners Association annual conference (7 May);
- seminar on co-ordination of vessel traffic systems standards organised by Trinity House (12 May);
- international conference on the tanker market: (current commercial and safety issues) organised by the Institute of Petroleum with the Nautical Institute (27 May).
Ports Policy Paper
The Department is developing a wide-ranging ports policy paper as a supporting document to the Integrated Transport White Paper published in 1998. It will be published later this year, and will set out (among much else) the policy on which the Code is based. Contacts for enquiries on this are the same as for the Code.
1: Review of Pilotage Act 1987 (published by The Stationery Office July 1998) ISBN 0 11 753471 4
