RUCF (Lower) Minutes 29th April 2005

Notes of a Meeting of the River Users’ Consultative Forum (Lower)

Held at 1030 on 29^th April 2005

at London River House, Gravesend

 

 

 

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

 

            Other Interests

 

            Fr Paul Boagey (PB)            Welfare

            Capt Richard Exley (RE)            Port of Tilbury

            David De Coster (DDC)            Environment Agency

            Alan Ridges (AR)            Gravesham Borough Council

            Richard Lukes (RL)            T&GWU

            Bryan Shaw (BS)            London Port Health

            Ian Dunkley (ID)            Station Manager, RNLI Gravesend

            Steve Davies (SD)            RYA/NKYA

            Bryan Hopkins (BH)            MCA

            David Gordon (DG)            RAFT

           

           

 

1.            Apologies for absence

 

            Apologies received from PC Bob Read, Donald Chard and Chris Woodman.

 

2.            Minutes of Previous Meeting

 

            Accepted as a true record, but noted that Steve Davies had been omitted from the list of attendees.

 

3.            Matters Arising from 2

 

i)          RL asked for further clarification concerning access over Royal Terrace Pier for watermen.  GD explained that due to lack of space PLA are unable to offer permanent berths and “touch and go” facilities would be charged for at the prevailing rate.  RL expressed concern that access to the river is very limited and has become more so with the denial of RTP facilities.  GD undertook to bring the matter up at Navigation Management Team (NMT).  AR gave an update on the future of Town Pier – this still remains uncertain as the previous developer has withdrawn.  BS commented that there is a Thames access group headed by Thames 21.  SD added that TEP had been undertaking work on the subject.

 

ii)         BS commented that “co-operative enforcement action” should be added to item 6 iii) London Port Health updates.

 

iii)        The seminar for craft tug operations took place in January.

 

iv)        PB updated the meeting with developments concerning the Stella Maris which has now closed.  Land close to the industrial canteen has been set aside for a new centre for which building is expected to start in 7-8 months, dependent on funding.  This is to be a joint venture between the Apostleship of the Sea and the Missions to Seafarers.

 

v)         Item 9 iii) RL noted that the relationship between Adsteam and local Fire Brigade still requires to be regularised.

 

vi)        Item 9 i) BS explained that Greenpeace interest in RMC activities might be due to cement products being a pollutant.  RMC operate under local authority permits.

 

vii)       Item 9 iv) Body Recovery.  ID reported that some progress had been made but suggested that perhaps a PLA/RNLI protocol would be beneficial.  JP explained that a MOU already exists between the PLA and Kent and Essex police forces.  It includes an agreement on procedures for body recovery in the lower River.  PLA to provide RNLI with a copy of the MoU.

 

Action: HM(L)

 

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.  But PLA now hopes to progress this matter soon.   It was reported that the Medway Ports proposed 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)     Self Mooring is still being actively monitored.  RE questioned the presence of risk assessments for mooring operations, BH gave references.

 

iv)     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.

 

         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

 

v)      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.  Consultation closes on 31^st May.  JP offered thanks to Adsteam for input.

 

vi)     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

 

         RS gave a resume of river incidents since the last meeting.

 

        

06/2/2005 18/4/2005 20/4/2005	UNION ARROW	Variously suffered steering defects and navigated erratically.  Matter handed on to MCA.
11/3/2005	FIONA	Made contact with TGT No 5 sport while berthing, causing damage.  No further action.
31/3/2005	STOLT CREATIVITY	Wash complaint.  Apparently due to computerised engine control failure.  No further action.
25/4/2005	CAROLINE RUSS	Wash complaint.  Tug made contact with towed barges occasioning damage.  No further action.
25/4/2005	CONVEYOR	Made contact with moored barge in Gravesend Reach. Master issued with Written Formal Warning concerning failure to keep a proper lookout. Matter reported to MAIB.

        

 

GD explained the requirements of the Accident Reporting and Investigation Regulations, which entered force in April 2005.  These place the burden of reporting certain accident and incidents on the harbour master as well as the master of the vessel and coastguard.  BH added that a policy of reporting incidents is to be encouraged. 

 

ID related the details of an incident where a crew member fell from the container vessel P&O Nedlloyd Hunter Valley and was recovered by the Gravesend Lifeboat.  Communication had been reported to be poor with the priority for the ship to recover the man and sail immediately.  BH to take this forward.

 

Action: Brian Hopkins

 

ii)      RUCF as a sub-committee of District Marine Safety Committee (DMSC).

 

         JP explained the relationship between RUCF and DMSC.  BH confirmed the importance of input for DMSC from RUCF.

 

iii)      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 31^st December 2006.  The introduction of Technical Standards is likely to be delayed until 2008 due to delays in the legal process.

 

         RL asked who is in charge of ensuring standards.  BH explained the background to the BML and the relationship with the Watermen’s Licence and that a general exemption is in the process of being issued.  Two applications for BMLs had been received from “Frog” tours and these would be processed.

 

iv)      Leisure Craft VHF Listening Watch

 

         RS reported that an article stressing the importance of maintaining a VHF listening watch on the operational VHF channel had been inserted in the latest edition of the RYA Magazine.  SD suggested that a suitable sticker delineating the VHF channels could be provided as an aide-memoir.

 

v)      Maintenance Dredging Procedures

 

         GD introduced the booklet “Maintenance Dredging in the Port of London” which provides a strategic decision-making framework for maintenance dredging.

 

6.      Other Updates

 

i)      MCA.  BH reported the presence of MCA “Hunter” on the river which had recently been operating with particular emphasis on derelict vessels.  Findings are now with MCA legal department for consideration.  “Hunter” will return to the river in support of Trafalgar 200 celebrations.  MCA recently successfully prosecuted the owner of an unlicensed Class 5 passenger vessel.  BH confirmed that MCA act on all reports and work closely with the PLA.

 

ii)      Gravesham

 

         AR presented a digest of forthcoming river events and noted that some of them would be affected by the current dredging program of the canal basin.  SD commented that the dredge was very late starting and, as a consequence, was unlikely to meet the target for completion.  BS expressed concern that although the canal basin falls within the London Port Health district, they had not been consulted prior to the dredge.  SD reported that the management of the basin is currently out for tender with tenders due on 20^th May.  GSC lift in had been agreed for 15^th may.  AR commented that the development of the canal basin area is part of a larger plan.

 

iii)      Environment Agency

 

         DDC reported the low dissolved oxygen levels in Barking Reach due to problems at Beckton Sewage Works.  This has resulted in higher than average levels of fish mortality in this area.

 

iv)      Port Health

 

         BS explained the rationale behind the new national vessel inspection format, which has now successfully completed its pilot phase.  The aim of the system is to ensure consistency of inspection.  MCA/LPHA are developing joint enforcement procedures.  BH invited LPHA to share information.  New international health regulations and new food hygiene regulations are due to enter force.  The latter will enter force on 1^st January 2006 and will apply to all ship’s using British ports.  This will require documentation and records to be maintained on each vessel.

 

         The Health Protection Agency water quality booklet is under review.

 

         The Chamber of Shipping has produced a new catering guide for ships.

 

         BS related an incident where a consignment of edible Tallow imported for fuel purposes had been detained until all agencies are satisfied.

 

         The MCA has produced a new booklet on legionella.

 

v)      RNLI

 

         ID reported that it had been a relatively quiet winter.  Two recent incidents resulted in near-drownings.  One incident involved a 3m inflatable en route from Cuxton to Gravesend, which ran out of fuel and the lone occupant became hypothermic.  The other incident involved a boat from Gravesend Rowing Club which collided with a moored boat on the inner tier.

 

         The Gravesend Lifeboat station is considering relocating to the offices at the upper side of Royal Terrace Pier as it appears that for the short to medium term the development of a major new facility is unlikely.

 

Vi)      Welfare

 

         PB informed the meeting that the Welfare Board, together with five berth operators, had provided and will maintain five new weatherproof phone booths to half rectify the poor provision of phone facilities within the Port of Tilbury.  Sheerness has similarly given over a computer room and telephone facility to improve the situation there.

 

         PB reported that the crew of a Greek owned bulk carrier had received $47,000 in unpaid wages with ITF assistance.

 

7.      River Events

 

         11^th and 12^th June               Gravesend Town Regatta

         25^th June               Pinn Mill Passage Match

         9^th and 10^th July               Gravesend Summer Regatta

         16^th July               Thames Sailing Barge Match

         10^th August               Foreshore Fun Day

         13^th and 14^th August               Maritime Festival

         4^th November               Fireworks Festival

 

         SD provided a list of GSC events which included:

 

         22^nd May, 18^th June,

         26^th June               London River Traveller Trophy

         20^th August               Open Day

         10^th September               Gravesham Thames Trophy

 

 

8.      River Works

 

i)      London Gateway.  Awaiting ministerial decision, but in the meanwhile preparatory works continue.

 

9.      AOB

 

i)       DG requested an update on the future of Imperial Wharf.  It was reported that any plans for residential development had been rejected.

 

ii)      DG reported that Cory Environmental had been acquired by a firm of Venture Capitalists.  Cory are currently awaiting a decision on a proposed waste incineration.

 

10.    Date of next meeting: 28^th October 2005 at 1030 at London River House.