Notes of a Meeting of the River Users’ Consultative Forum (Estuary)
Held at 1030 on 21st April 2005
at London River House, Gravesend
Meeting opened at 1035.
Present:-
Port of London Authority
Captain G Dickins Harbour Master (Lower) – Chairman
Captain J Parkes Marine Administrative Support Manager
Captain R Stanbrook Deputy Harbour Master (Lower) – Sec
Local Interests
John Greenleaf J J Prior Transport Ltd
Richard Griffiths Kent and Essex Sea Fisheries
Jon Stafford T&GWU
Kathryn Hossain Trinity House & Lighthouse Service
Captain Stephen Gobbi Medway Ports
Darryl Godbold Southend and Leigh Fishermens Assoc
Keith Jolly Medway Yachting Association
Chris Edwards RYA (Eastern Region)
Roger Gee MCA (Harwich MO)
1. Apologies for absence
Received from D DeCoster (EA), C Boyer-Besant (MCA), M Ross (Southend), J Wiggins (K&ESFC), Peter White (Medway Ports), A Rudge (MCA).
2. Minutes of previous meeting
Accepted as a true record.
3. Matters Arising from 2.
i) Small Gains Creek – added to agenda under River Works.
ii) Havengore Bridge – to be taken under AOB. An amusing typographical error was noted in item 5 (vii).
4. PLA Sitrep
i) Safety Management System. Captain Parkes reported to the meeting the current status of the system. The salient points were:
a) System now in fourth year.
b) Regular reviews of hazards take place
c)New hazards including transportation of LNG to Medway are assessed and reviewed as appropriate.
d)Review of Dangerous Substances in Bulk Byelaws – delays at DfT legal department. Amendments include changes to the requirements for LPG shipments to VOPAK in light of the findings of the NAP
e)A revised edition of Permanent Notice to Mariners will be available shortly replacing the 2002 version.
f)The transfer of byelaws to General Directions has caused concerns over the relative merits of the differing consultation requirements. It was reported that the Medway Ports directions concerning the forthcoming LNG trade were currently with the Chamber of Shipping for approval. Further, that PLA arrangements for the passage of LNG vessels through PLA waters were consistent with Medway requirements. The first shipment being due at the end of May.
ii) Harbour Revision Order. The need to review the Port of London Act in light of EU legislation and the Port Marine Safety Code was noted. Consultation is due by the end of this year at the earliest.
iii) Port Security. JP reported that from the port perspective ISPS was going reasonably well. The take up of the port-wide ID system had been good with about 190 individuals availing themselves of the system. Julian Parkes is now the Port Security Officer heading a central team in the Port Security Co-ordination office. Jon Stafford reported that from the pilots’ perspective most of the steam had gone out of the ISPS system. GD reported that NRO had asked the PLA not to give particular information about the arrival of warships.
A list of 50 London port facilities subject to the ISPS code had been agreed with TRANSEC. Jon Stafford commented on the widely varying standard of security at port facilities. J.P explained that this was mainly due to the differing categories of berths that required varying levels of security. GD reported that the Thames Counter Terrorism Partnership (TCTP) continued in its work, requiring the PLA to work closely with security forces. The Met Police, through the TCTP will be launching an “Eyes and Ears” campaign to draw on the local knowledge and experience of river users.
Jon Stafford questioned whether Medway Ports would contact PLA if there was such an incident within their area. Steve Gobbi confirmed that this was part of Medway Ports procedures.
A short discussion ensued concerning the regulation of Personal Water Craft. GD reported on the EC Directions extending the area of influence of regulation into the hinterland. Further report to be tabled at the next meeting.
ACTION: HML
iv. Code of Practice for Ship Towage Operations on the Thames
Technical tug norms and tug allocation tables (1997) have been reviewed and found to be in accordance with practices in other ports both nationally and internationally. It is proposed to extend the scope of the Tug Norms into a wider code of practice with examples of good, local practice. Initial consultation is complete with further consultation expected within the next few weeks. The style will be similar to other PLA codes of practice.
v. General
Trade is down by 5% on comparable period last year. Fuel traffic is down 14% on last year as a result of a planned maintenance shutdown at BP Coryton. Non-fuel traffic is up by 2%. Unitised traffic is up by 2% with Tilbury Container Services introducing two new services. Aggregates have increased by 2% with most operators reporting better prospects than last year. There are no large building projects at the moment but M25 widening, new tower blocks in Docklands, East London Line, Thames Gateway Bridge, Cross Rail and regeneration in the Lower Lea Valley are all large projects that are planned.
5. Navigational Safety and Consultancy Matters
i) River Incidents
Captain Stanbrook reported on two incidents that had taken place in the estuary since the last meeting.
06/02/05Union ArrowReported auto steering failure on passing Blyth Buoy inbound. V/L then proceeded north of Sea Reach Channel embarrassing outbound CORAL CARBONIC. Malfunction of Aquamaster unit cited as cause. No further action.
31/03/05Morning StarSail training vessel on night navigation exercise severely embarrassed outbound TOR NERINGA. Master interviewed under caution. Further action under consideration.
Julian Parkes added that ports are aware of the requirements under new MAIB reporting rules to report incidents directly to the MAIB. It was evident that confusion existed between the earlier requirements of the VTMS regulations and the new requirements of the MAIB regulations.
ii)RUCF as sub committee of DMSC
JP explained the relationship between RUCF and the District Marine Safety Committee in that particular issues raised at RUCF can be passed up to DMSC. Daryl Godbold reported on an incident where a foreign fishing boat had brought on board a mine which had exploded killing three crew members.
iii)Princes Channel
A 16th Century wreck found in the proposed dredging area had been lifted and taken to Portsmouth. Consents for dredging have been obtained and beneficial use for dredgings is awaited before continuing with the project. Requirements for moving buoyage is to be discussed with Trinity House as one months notice is required to programme vessels and issue Notices to Mariners.
iv)Sunk Traffic Proposals
The proposal for a Traffic Separation Scheme in the Sunk area continues to be debated. PLA/Medway position is that the situation could be resolved by better use of existing VTS facilities. An MCA proposal for a TSS which includes the area around the Greater Gabbard wind farm will be tabled at the next UK Safety of Navigation meeting.
v)Inland Waterways National Standards
These involve new national technical and competency standards for vessels carrying freight and passenger in categorised waters. A second phase of consultation on the new Boatmaster’s Licence (BML) standard will commence shortly. The proposed Statutory Instrument will be circulated for consultation in the New Year. The MCA BML will replace Watermens and Lightermens Licences which will expire on 31st December 2006. The introduction of Technical Standards is likely to be delayed until 2008 due to delays in the legal process. Roger Gee explained some anomalies in the current MGN 1776 (M) Categorisation of Waters. Steve Gobbi commented that the application of the Small Commercial Vessel (SCV) code was pivotal on the phrase “If proceeding or intending to proceed to sea”.
vi)Leisure Craft VHF Listening Watch – RS reported that a reminder on this subject will be included in the RYA magazine spring issue.
vii)Maintenance Dredging Procedures
GD introduced the port-wide publication covering dredging procedures.
6. Other Updates
i)MCA. Roger Gee thanked pilots and VTS Officers for reports of shipboard deficiencies/incidents. Action had been taken on all reported incidents, including reports of errors with AIS. The Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code was introduced to the meeting. JP confirmed that the Code had been incorporated into the PLA Vessel Licensing regime. RS questioned whether MCA/RYA were aware of the NASA “AIS Radar” which had recently arrived on the marked as he considered it had dangerous implications. RG reported that MCA were aware of this.
As a result of a review of MCA activities “MCA HUNTER” has been based at Harwich and has been involved in the inspection and spot checking of vessels of less than 24m involved in commercial activity. The vessel operated in the Thames during the autumn of 2004.
ii)Medway Ports. Captain Steve Gobbi, incoming Medway harbour master reported on the progress made with the new LNG project and said that he would be happy to answer any questions. He reported that a maintained campaign would be taking place in the Medway Approach Channel in the near future.
An oil pollution exercise (MEDSPILL) is programmed for 6th May to include participation from tier 2 responses and other facilities. PLA are to be invited to attend as observers.
Keith Jolly added that as a result of last year’s traffic workshop, procedures had been formalised by the introduction of Medway Notice to Mariners No 10 of 2005, which had been included in the MYA yearbook.
iii)Trinity House
Kathryn Hossain introduced the 2005 Aids to Navigation Review and explained some of the proposed changes. It was noted that two weeks grace had been given for comment on the changes in area 10, which included changes to buoyage.
The proposals to install AIS on certain strategic navigational aids and the possibility of gathering tide and wind data was explained to the meeting.
CE asked about the shapes of new buoys. KH reported that all buoys will be fitted with topmark and radar reflection. A trial of class 2 buoys is ongoing with buoys from six different manufacturers, with a view to replacing all existing class 2 buoys.
7. River Events
Southend Air Show29th and 30th May - Bank Holiday
STS ‘Khersones’ Visit to Southend Pier 3rd – 6th June 2005
Southend Pier Heritage Festival 18th & 19th June 2005
‘Balmoral’ Visit to Southend Pier June/July
Medway Regatta 13th – 17th July 2005
Thames Sailing Barge Match 16th July 2005
Benfleet Yacht Club – Nore Race 17th July 2005
Jazz on the Walkway, Southend Pier 30th & 31st July 2005
Grand Puppet Festival, Southend 5th – 7th August 2005
Southend Annual Barge Match 27th August 2005
Tallship ‘Mercedes’ Visit to S’end Pier 2nd – 4th September 2005
8. River Works
i)London Gateway – Awaiting ministerial decision. P&O continuing preliminary work. DG reported that fishermen were not opposed to the work provided it takes place after the Sole spawning season, after the last week in May.
ii)Windfarms
Round 1 – Kentish Flats
Commencing turbine erection 16th May.
Operation deadline 29th September 2005.
Gunfleet – Up for Sale
Gunfleet II – Gone quiet
Round 2 – London Array
Received Nav risk assessments.
Expected to submit applications for comments towards end of May.
PLA still has a fundamental objection to current proposed layout due to additional hazards in what is already a precautionary area.
Round 3 - Warwick Thanet
Revised layout, broadly in same area as before.
Consulted with frequent users – no objections, although any further incursion would be unacceptable.
Round 4 - Gabbard – Under consideration – particularly with regard to interaction with traffic patterns around the Sunk area.
iii)Princes Channel – Previously reported.
iv)Britned Cable – UK end unlikely to see any development until 2006/2007. Project ongoing.
v)Smallgains Creek – PLA River Engineer putting together a dredging proposal which will then be subject to approval by statutory consultees.
9. AOB
i)D Godbold reported that the new tugs at Coryton caused excessive wash.ACTION: HML
ii)GD tabled a vote of thanks to Peter White in his absence for his support over the years.
10. Date of Next Meeting
21st October 2005 at 1030 at London River House.
