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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 4th July so any further comments should be made quickly. It is due to come into force 1st 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 6th 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.
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