RUCF (Upper) Minutes - 28 June 2006

PLA RIVER USERS CONSULTATIVE FORUM (UPPER)

NOTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT BAKERS’ HALL

ON WEDNESDAY 28^TH JUNE, 2006

PRESENT:

David Foster (DF)	PLA Deputy Harbour Master (Upper)(Chairman)
Ray Blair (RB)	PLA Deputy Harbour Master (Upper)
Martin Garside (MG)	PLA Press & Public Relations Manager
Alex Brown (AB)	PLA River Project Officer
Sandra West (SW)	PLA Assistant to Harbour Master (Upper)
Barry Goldman (BG)	PLA Vessel Traffic Services Manager

Peter Finch (PF)	River Thames Society
Steve Davies (SD)	Royal Yachting Association
Andy Griffiths (AG)	London River Services
Sean Collins (SC)	Thames Clippers
Derek Mann (DM)	Thames Clippers
Colin Woodward (CW)	Environment Agency
Adrian Stott (AS)	National Association of Boat Owners
Gary Davies (GD)	London Home & Water Safety Council
Chas Newens (CN)	Company of Watermen & Lightermen
Michael Shefras (MS)	Association of Thames Yacht Clubs
Darren Munro (DM)	London Fire Service
Alan Rance (AR)	The Passenger Boat Association
Bryan Shaw (BS)	London Port Health Association
David Langdon (DL)	London Port Health Association
Neil Caborn (NC)	Cory Environmental
Paul Wilson (PW)	City Cruises
Rod Shaw (RS)	Maritime & Coastguard Agency

1.	Apologies for Absence were received from:

	Chris George	Thames Regional Rowing Council
	Julian Parkes	PLA
	Christopher Mendoza	PLA
	Bryan Hopkins	Maritime & Coastguard Agency
	Janet Kelly	RNLI
	Adrian Bates	London Coastguard
	Chris Connolly	Metropolitan Police
	Alex Hickman	T&GWU

2.	Minutes of the Last Meeting

	Under item 1 Rod Shaw’s apologies had not been recorded – now noted. Apart from that the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th November 2005 were held to be a true record.


3.	Matters Arising from Previous Minutes

	Before starting this item DF welcomed AR , DL and DM to the meeting

	MS – following his comments in the previous minutes asked whether there was any more information on visitors moorings. DF said he spoke to the Chief Executive as the lack of visitors moorings was still a source of complaint. Finding the “walk ashore” moorings is a problem, we often invite councils to make that a condition of new developments and there are three new big developments with visitors moorings on line. RS – asked if he could answer CL’s remark from the last meeting about costs of MCA work. He confirmed that the MCA will not charge for statutory enforcement – therefore spot checks will not be charged for but surveys would.
	CW – advised that Teddington Festival held at Teddington Lock had been very successful. Took place on 18^th June, arranged by the EA and about 15,000 visitors. The aim was to encourage people to use the river for both transport and recreation. CW said anyone/organisation that would like to get involved next year should let him know. Although the PLA mobile unit was in attendance, DF noted that the Harbour Master/Service had known nothing about this event but as there had been no complaints, it must have been a resounding success. AS informed the meeting how pleased NABO were with the consultation process on the AIS, their concerns were listened to and fully addressed.

4.	PLA (i) Regulatory Update In JP’s absence a resumé was sent out with the agenda, which DF expanded upon. SMS – the Port Marine Safety Code was introduced four-five years ago and the PLA has completed the review of identified hazards. The second cycle has now been started. Consultations – Revised General Directions, where navigational items from the Byelaws have been moved to General Directions and Shifting Pilotage are now closed. Revised Pilotage Directions completed. Copies in HMU’s office to view. Informal AIS Consultation – is now finished - becomes a byelaw by government, representations will now have to be made to Department of Transport. Passenger boat association have been talking to PLA in detail. For the next Class V meeting at Orpington Barry Goldman should be invited to attend and speak and then discuss with companies taking part. Self-mooring Code – small revision, Notice to Mariners published. Two Major Navigational Advisory Panels– Code of Practice for Craft Towage and Navigation Through Bridges (last year bridge/soffit contact was high). SMS recognised the problem and a NAP was convened. Very good attendance both from Class Vs and towage business, very constructive. Paperwork coming out and tide gauges going in. Dangerous Substances Byelaws also revised Port Security The port remains at ISPS level 1. PLA aims to visit each of fifty berths about once per year, system is working well. New EU Directive about port security extended to UK in 2007, both the PLA’s and Transec’s view is that it is not much different. PLA Port Security Committee have offered to provide a common ID card for all riverborne workers free of charge. RS asked whether Tilbury accepts the card, DF answered yes. RS said that ISPS cards work from the waterside of a berth but not entry from landside. DF said most landside companies have their own system. Inland Waterways – Boatmaster’s Licence Last of consultative phases, comments now go straight to MCA, no longer an internal matter. PLA has given it’s comments as have others and expects the consultation period will close 4^th July so any further comments should be made quickly. It is due to come into force 1^st January 2007, PLA/Watermens Hall don’t agree with everything but agree on making transition smooth and efficient. Meeting taking place in Southampton next week to make sure changeover process is easy as possible. There are about six hundred to be examined but DF doesn’t think MCA are aware of the numbers involved. New Vessel Standards Due 2008, PLA is already inspecting against those standards. (ii) Rowing Update Rowing Risk Assessment Implementation Group (RRAIG) was set up to implement the Salvage Association recommendations with the Chief Harbour Master as chair. There have been many recommendations and the group is making a lot of progress. PLA Website has now been overhauled and the recreational site revamped. U6 of 2002 - has been interpreted in many different ways. AB has drafted a Code of Practice, which has been a big task. The final version has now been arrived at, approved by the TRRC with a publication date of early September hoped for. Implementation date of 6^th October, will be available on website. Large posters will be available for the clubs – the TRRC has been kind enough to pay for these. To separate rowers/recreational users we have put buoys in to show the edge of the navigation channel. After consultation period, rowers like them, PLA staff were lukewarm, but with no input from the passenger boat fraternity it was taken they were happy. They will now be put in permanently. Coach boats speed dispensation – whole system has been in abeyance. Notice to Mariners being published to bring this system back into operation. Piles to go in marking crossing over points, but this is a longer process, possibly about 18-24 months. Incident investigation – framework put in place so rowers now know what constitutes a reportable matter to their own organisation and what should be reported to the PLA, has been defined more clearly. PF – with respect to entry onto the River at Teddington, Brentford and Limehouse – nervous first time users navigating at those points, DF said in the River Users Guide the rowing part is a bit vague. Once the Code is published we will update the information in the RUG and publish a new edition which we will be placed at these outposts. Hopefully the long term view is that the EA and PLA information would be merged in some way. AS – questioned whether perhaps an amalgamation of Chris Cove Smith’s guide with the River Users Guide might be an idea. DF said new version just published therefore information still vague but he has asked whether the IWA pamphlet could be a link from the PLA website. MS – all associations should be advised of this new information. Motorboat people need to read about rowing and visa versa, even those not members of a club. DF said a Notice to Mariners will be published six weeks beforehand to announce the Code. CN informed the meeting that Martin Humphries, Chairman of TRRC, had held a meeting with it’s members at LRC to show them the final draft of the rowing code and that it had been well received. CW – in due course the EA would like to reproduce our information in it’s own publications. DF said the PLA would be happy to share it’s artwork. Also the notice boards at Teddington Lock are being revised and maybe could be used for shared information. MS – said he had been impressed with the reaction of the rowers who were working to get this right – to the benefit of everyone. SC – coach launches – who will regulate and what training will there be. DF said PLA can only mandate training and qualification for those listed on it’s register. Commercial boats will come under PLA Craft Registration but for club boats we cannot lay down rules for. BS – asked if Port Health information could be put in the River Users Guide. MG said there was already data in there but this would be reviewed. (iii) Port Promotion MG announced to the meeting that changes were being made within his department and would change from Port Promotion to Corporate Affairs in the autumn. This should not mean any changes in meeting attendance etc. Public meetings will still take place and discussions on how the PLA can interface with the local communities. The new head of department arrives in August/September. The new Annual Review has now been published.
5.	Battersea Shoal

	There is a “finger” coming out into the river and it is moving. 0.9/1.1m but changing. PLA would like to dredge but have missed the dredging window, also not sure that it would cure the problem. Will not be able to do it until about November, a Notice to Mariners has been issued. Limited consultation made, Class Vs, Priors, Corys etc., PLA will put buoy on it until November. The problem is a buoy would get in the way of the barge chains so do we put in yellow buoy or barge with buoy, which would be best – it is opposite Cheyne Walk. ACTION - Yellow buoy was agreed, hope to dredge in November. POST MEETING NOTE – decided to deploy PLA barge and issue Notice to Mariners.

6.	Navigational Safety

	A list of incidents from November to June was sent out with the Agenda. DF informed the meeting that last September the James Prior hit Battersea Road Bridge then the Nigel Prior passed a tug in the bridge arch again at Battersea Road Bridge. Prosecutions are proceeding, one in Magistrates Court, the other in Crown Court, three days in court. The following incidents were mentioned: Salient, grounding – first indication that Battersea Shoal was becoming a problem. Mercia, contact – minor bump during berthing with Millennium of Dawn. Got hold of by Public Relations of MCA and was over-exaggerated. Hurricane Clipper/police rib, contact – minor bump un-berthing. Rib came in tight and below sight of master. Police have been warned about coming in too close. Ribs, improper navigation 12^th May – RS advised that Class Vs should let MCA know if they have any problems. The company may not have got the right people driving, owner is sorting this out. SC said there is a concern generally with the rib culture, there seem to be more and more of them on the river. DF agreed and said the PLA was aware of this and was on the case – it is a national problem. BS reminded the meeting that noise complaints should be made to LPHA. DF asked if any correspondence took place, please copy him in so we get an overall picture. CN asked why police did not warn by radio if coming aboard a private craft, MS agreed and said that although it is important boats are checked it can be frightening to river users. SD said there were problems with police ribs down river – wash complaints and driving inside moorings.

7.	Other updates (i) Fire – DM said as far as Community Fire Safety was concerned, there had been no take up by river users. Need to visit Class Vs in order to ascertain layouts in case called to a fire onboard. Would be happy to attend the next Teddington Festival, to draw boat owners attention to the service. The meeting was advised that there are engine problems with the fireboats and they were only working on a “request only” basis. One boat is dead and the other is only on operational duty. CN asked why dories were not used for response calls, where there is little wash. DM said each of the London districts rescue units are getting fast response unit with small rib – but not for use on tidal waters. (ii) Port Health – Corporation of London has reverted to City of London with effect from 01/01/2006. E-mail addresses just need that change reflected in it. BS introduced David Langdon, the new Assistant Director, and advised the meeting of the various departmental changes within the organisation. LPHA audit carried out so now has full ISO accreditation. New EC regulations – food operatives must continue as before but have written procedures. (iii) EA – CW gave an update on the drought situation and the latest EA information sheet was handed out. From 0900 28^th June (today) target flows over Teddington Weir moved from 600 MLD to 400 MLD. The Forum was reminded that this was similar to several weeks in July and August 2005 and the Forum noted that the PLA and the EA will be talking further about drought management. It was confirmed that Dave Willis, Co-ordinator for Thames Region, is the point of contact. General enquiries Monday to Friday between 0800 and 1800 can call 08708 506506, a 24 hour Incident Hotline is available on 0800 807060 and the Floodline number is 0845 988 1188. PW asked about the use of fresh water hoses on piers – CW replied that these were available until rules changed. DF added that when the threshold is reached a Notice to Mariners is used for “less than water advertised”. PF asked about sewage in river – could a representative of Thames Water be invited to the next meeting to give an update. DF said they could be asked but the bottom line is there has been no significant progress since they last came to talk to this meeting.
8.	Future Events on the River

	A list was sent out with the Agenda. RB that the list of events is on the website and is updated on a monthly basis. He told the meeting that a Notice to Mariners is published if PLA thinks navigation will be affected by an event. Warship visits are not published at all – enquiries should be directed to the NRO’s office at HMS President.

9.	River Works

	A resumé of works was sent out with the Agenda. Westminster Bridge – work slightly behind, revised programme of arch closures, still adamant about finishing on time.

	Thames Gateway Bridge – Public Enquiry still going on, discussing details of construction phase. Starting in 2009, finishing in 2013.

	CrossRail – construction starts in 2007 until 2015. There will be a lot of spoil on barges using Bow Creek, the old Limmo Wharf, Manor Wharf and West India Dock. AS said there was concern about the proposal for barge waiting moorings in Bow Creek above the crossing because it may cause a hazard to navigation if the barges to go up to the Olympic site start running. DF said the PLA were aware of that and it appears that the two works, Crossrail and Olympics, may not even conflict timewise. Blackwall Crossing – TfL looking at this again, where Blackwall Tunnel is, lifting Bridge was mentioned, the tunnel option looks as though the only starter. Olympics 2012 – building materials in and muck out a problem, area chosen as deprived site with no transport system but will become legacy project afterwards. Looking at old canal system and River Lea and putting a lock in the Prescott Channel, both being looked at at the moment and time is of the essence. Tower Bridge – programme to refurbish and get painted before the Olympics. There will be a period when bridge will be shut, timed to be in the middle of the winter. Southwark Bridge – should at this moment be being painted but work has not yet started. Thames Link (Station constructed on Blackfriars Rail Bridge – the old supports cannot be used for this project which means there maybe more significant work in the river at what is considered a dangerous point. Battersea Power Station – work on jetty to start muck away 2006. Contractor not yet chosen. Albert Bridge – Major refurbishment programme to come. BS asked, with reference to Olympics, about cruise ships mooring in the river, Is there any chance of permanent cruise base, is the Convoys proposal dead? RB said Convoys is safe-guarded wharf, owners have no appetite for cruise terminal.
10.	AIS At this point Barry Goldman, VTS Manager, gave the meeting a briefing on Thames AIS and said he would be available for further discussion after the meeting had closed.

11.	Any other business RS - different vessel being looked at by London Duck Tours, looks more like a coach and the MCA are trialling it to see whether it meets passenger boat standards. Maltese owners are actually carrying this out rather than the Ducks, to see if it reaches Class V standards.

12.	DF thanked everyone for attending and reminded them the next meeting would be on 14^th November, 2006 at 1030.