PMSC Healthcheck Report - July 2007 External Audit of the Port's Navigational Safety Management System
Introduction
The Port of London Authority (PLA), as the Statutory Harbour Authority for the tidal Thames, is responsible for the management of navigational safety in the Port of London. It is obliged, under the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) to maintain a navigational safety management system (SMS) based on formal risk assessment. In simple terms the Code requires the PLA to assess what incidents may happen, take reasonable precautions to prevent such incidents happening and keep appropriate records. This proactive management of risks must be recorded and is subject to continual review and formal audits.
External Audit 2007
Earlier this year, as part of an ongoing regime of audits and reviews of the SMS, the PLA commissioned an external ‘health-check’ audit in order to confirm, or otherwise, the PLA’s continued compliance with the requirements of the PMSC.
The Executive Summary from the subsequent audit report is re-produced below.
On 25th July 2007 Marine Enforcement conducted a Port Marine Safety Code “health check” at the Port of London Authority.
Although the Maritime and Coastguard Agency does not have any statutory powers it has the responsibility to ensure that all Harbour Authorities can demonstrate compliance with the PMSC. To this end it may be invited by a Port to conduct a verification visit to determine whether the Harbour Authority substantially meets the requirements of the PMSC. To assist in this process the MCA will use a checklist.
This checklist has been used during this “health check” and the PLA can now be assured that it is best placed if the MCA should ever request to be invited to perform a verification visit.
Notwithstanding the recommendations we make, we find:
- By using the checklist adopted by the MCA there is sufficient indication that the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code are being met,
- The PLA has a comprehensive Navigational Safety Management Manual which provides practical guidance to all members of staff;
- The PLA display an excellent attitude to safety and demonstrates a firm commitment to the principles enshrined in the Port Marine Safety Code.
The auditors made 8 recommendations, which have been generally accepted by the PLA and are now being addressed as part of the ongoing, day to day management of the navigational SMS.
Further information on the report and audit findings is available through: Julian Parkes, Harbour Master (SMS) at the PLA's Gravesend Office. Tel: 01474 562266.
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