RUCF Estuary Minutes - 21st October 2005
NOTES OF A MEETING OF THE RIVER USERS’ CONSULTATIVE FORUM (ESTUARY) HELD AT 1030 ON
21ST OCTOBER 2005
AT LONDON RIVER HOUSE, GRAVESEND
Meeting opened at 1035.
Present: Capt G Dickins (GD) Harbour Master (Lower) – Chairman
Capt R Stanbrook (RS) Deputy Harbour Master (Lower) – Secretary
Local Interests:
Dawn Smith (DS) Essex Police Marine Unit
Mick Ross (MR) Southend Borough Council
David DeCoster (DD) Environment Agency
Kathryn Hossain (KH) Trinity House
Roger Barker (RB) Trinity House
Darryl Godbold (DG) Southend Fishermen’s Association
Michael Sheffras (MS) ATYC
Chris Edwards (CE) RYA (Eastern Region)
John Greenleaf (JG) J J Prior (RAFT)
Andy Rudge (AR) MCA
Steve Gobbi (SG) Medway Ports
1. Apologies for Absence
Received from Andy Ford – (represented by Dawn Smith) and Captain Julian Parkes.
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting
Accepted as a true record subject to the following amendments:-
6 iii)Trinity House, third paragraph “Class 3, 4 and 5 buoys will be fitted with topmark”.
7. Southend Airshow dates. Amend to read 29/30th May.
3. Matters Arising
4 iii) Personal Watercraft – A recent ruling that a PWC is now considered to be a vessel may cause local regulations to be reconsidered.
Essex Police reported that a “bike safe” scheme is being implemented over the winter months. This would be in conjunction with extension of the power of confiscation of vehicles to PWCs. SG noted that Medway are liaising with Kent Police in this matter and have considered but dismissed the idea of using a PWC for enforcement purposes. Medway byelaws are currently under review.
9(i) DG reported the problems with wash are still being experienced although this is now mainly attributable to a limited number of container ships. GD explained that imposition of speed limits was not an option.
5(vi) Leisure craft listening watch – CE reported that an article reminding leisure sailors to maintain a watch on required working channels had been inserted in the RYA journal.
6(iii) CE confirmed that the buoys with topmarks are more easy to recognise.
4. PLA Sitrep
i) Safety Management System
Local Navigation Certificate Regulations (Shifting Pilotage etc) – Draft Regulations issued for public consultation 17 Aug, including pilots & watermen. Consultation closed 14 October. Feedback under review. Productive meetings held with LPC and watermen to assist them in forming their response to the consultation. Counsel’s opinion will be sought after feedback review - linked to revision of Pilotage Directions.
ii) HRO – No further progress.
iii) Port Security – No problems. Tonnage loophole closed by IMO. EU port Security Directive will be in place within 18 months or so. PLA continues close liaison/visits with PFSOs. PLA has enhanced its local security arrangements at London River House. Port Service Provider ID card working well. Work continues in TCTP. EC Security Directive passed at 1st reading. No change for ships but ports affected. To extend to whole port area and appoint a security authority.
iv) New Code of Practice for Ship Towage Operations published.
SG reported that Medway now has a liaison with TCT. DCI Andy Little is now in charge of Kent Police Marine Unit. MS expressed concern over lack of co-ordination over stopping leisure craft by Essex and Metropolitan Police. KJ added that there was no formalised way of pre-reporting rallies to avoid delay.
GD explained that PLA presence in the Holehaven and Canvey areas is to be increased with the introduction of a Harbour Service Master to be co-located with National Coastwatch. MS questioned whether this would be a single man operation.
v) Trade to date is 0.4% (133 thousand tonnes) ahead of last year. Fuel traffic is 2% down (210 thousand tonnes) on last year. The fall is mainly due to a reduction in crude oil due to the planned maintenance shutdown at Coryton which meant that crude oil imports were reduced significantly. It has been reported in the press that demand for petroleum storage has been very high recently with more oil been stored with expectations of further increases in oil prices. However, there is no evidence of this happening at the petroleum facilities on Thames.
Non fuel traffic has increased by 2% compared to last year. Unitised, aggregates, coal, cereal, metals and vegetable oil/oil seed are all up on last year.
Angersteins which reopened in June following a fire is still not being used fully.
Forest products which were down in June due to the Finnish paper industry dispute, have recovered in July. The dispute however has affected new trade expected at Stora.
5. Navigational Safety and Consultancy matters
i) River Incidents. RS introduced a selection of incidents which had taken place in the estuary since the last meeting:-
|
11/05/05 |
HOLMON |
Lost power while inbound through fisherman’s Gat and grounded briefly outside northern channel edge. MAIB informed |
|
07/06/05 |
CRESCENT CAMILLA |
While bound for Dover, vessel passed 1.4 miles inside East Margate Buoy passing close to dangers. Inspection of passage plan revealed plan to be comprehensive but flawed. Master invited to reconsider plan. |
|
04/07/05 |
SIGAS CENTURION OLY RAE |
Sigas Centurion outbound in Oaze was impeded by Southend F/u Oly Rae. Investigations showed neither vessel aware of others intentions |
|
10/10/05 |
GEESTROOM |
Inbound – suffered main engine failure when approaching Princes 5 buoy. V/l anchored to effect repairs. Additional tug imposed for approach to Tilbury Lock. |
AR reported a collision between the anchored Thames Barge “XYLONITE” and a ship bound for Brightlingsea.
ii) DMSC terms of reference. These had been issued with the minutes of the last meeting.
iii) Sunk Traffic Proposals. The requirements of the various parties were explained. MCA’s plan includes a traffic separation scheme leaving the Sunk area largely unaffected. The future of Sunk VTS as Traffic Organisation is also being considered. SG noted his pleasure that the proposals are now reaching a crescendo.
iv) New National Standards for Inland Waterways – Second phase of MCA public consultation ended early October. Anticipate further MCA consultation of the draft Statutory Instrument in the New Year. Legislation to be enacted in July 06. PLA Watermen & Lightermen Byelaws will be revoked 31 December 2006 on this timetable.
Late start to consultation has resulted in delay to voluntary implementation of the new BML standard on the tidal Thames. Now expected from New Year, in advance of legislation, thereby minimising period wherein applications might be made for existing BML, to which recent legal opinion gives legitimacy.
PLA will administer the local knowledge endorsement examination on behalf of the MCA. (Some confusion from MCA regarding status of PLA’s application for local knowledge endorsement. Local watermen lobbying hard for endorsement to extend across the whole of the current W&L area and not just central London. Clarification being sought from MCA).
SG reported that Medway are using a similar approach to local knowledge. AR stated that he was unsure of the practical application of wider based certificates taking in multiple areas. SG noted the similarity to the current PEC regime.
v. MAIB reporting regulations requiring incidents and accidents involving anything longer than 8 m to be reported were discussed. (the relevant legislation accompanies these minutes).
vi. Leisure craft moorings – PLA concerned about requirement for moorings in the tidal Thames. Meeting members were requested to submit their views in writing to GD. RS pointed out that additional visitors moorings had been provided at Greenhithe.
vii. LNG procedures – A navigational Advisory Panel is to take place at the end of the month to review procedures in light of experience gained through the initial shipments. DG requested an update on progress of the development of Calor Canvey as an LNG facility. It was explained that the plan was very much in its formative stage.
6. Other Updates
i. a) MCA – AR reported that a review of stability of passenger vessels is underway based on the increase in average weight of passengers from 64 to 75kg. Formal Safety Assessment for passenger vessels is under consideration as a result of the findings of the Marchioness inquiry.
b) There is an ongoing analysis of machinery failures in small vessels, mainly pleasure vessels.
c) The noise level requirements aboard vessels is being reduced to 80dB.
ii Medway – SG reported:-
Developments – Proposals are for Thamesport to double its quay length and for the LNG facility to build a second berth. It was reported that the United States are currently taking the majority of LNG shipments to make up for the shortfall caused by damage sustained by hurricanes. It is proposed to increased the LNG throughput through the terminal to 250 ships per year by 2008.
Maintenance dredging of the Medway Approach channel to 12.5 metres below CD, removing approximately 100,000t of spoil.
ISPS (Port Security) – close contact maintained with Kent Police – aware of vulnerabilities of energy installations.
Byelaws – Interpretation of PWC as a vessel by Winchester Crown Court has brought some difficulties.
Pilotage Directions – review underway to bring in line with PLA pilotage directions.
LNG rules to be refined in light of recent consultation following initial shipments before becoming General Directions.
Medway Ports has been taken over by PEEL Ports and has been de-listed on the stock exchange.
iii Southend – Nick Ross
Fire on Southend Pier – investigation ongoing. Optimistic concerning rebuild of pier head. 500 metres exclusion zone still in force but does not apply to through traffic to the Ray. 62 incidents reported, 94 vessels stoodby, 74 vessels assisted. The ex-customs rib is proving useful.
PWCs – problems encountered from those being launched at other sites.
Two Tree Island sea defence works complete but access by road restricted due to bridge strengthening.
iv Environment Agency – David DeCoster
a) Solway Prospector – a further pollution incident has been reported.
b) Area of Cockle Sheds at Leigh – the foreshore has been altered.
c) Essex County Council had conducted an oil pollution exercise in September.
v Trinity House – Kathryn Hossain
a) Aids to Navigation Review responses being analysed. Copies were circulated. SG added that Medway had embarked on a campaign of changing to plastic buoys and LEG lights. SG reported the proposed to add AIS to the Medway buoy. KH concerned that this would require the aid to be declared as an aid to navigation. The SI is expected to in place around the end of this year.
b) Nav Aids and Lighting of OREIs.
The latest Trinity House publication on the subject was introduced to the meeting. KJ reported that PWC operators had gained entry to a turbine on the Kentish Flats Windfarm.
RS reported that the aviation structure lights on Kentish Flats had been reportedly causing confusion.
DG questioned the application of exclusion zones around OREIs.
KH reported a trial in conjunction with Medway Ports of synchronised buoy lighting in the Swale. A user questionnaire is to be circulated shortly. The trial is due to commence on 16th November.
vi Essex Marine – Dawn Smith
a) Essex PCSOs now running a Marine Watch Scheme to tackle boat related crime. Yacht Clubs may invite the PCSOs to meetings to discuss the scheme. PCSOs Atkins and Meary may be contacted through Burnham Police Station.
b) The proposed merger of county police forces was mentioned.
c) Kent Police had dismissed the idea of using PWCs as an enforcement tool.
d) DS reported that four members of Essex Policy Marine Unit had been trained as advanced medics which equates to paramedic standard.
e) RS congratulated Essex PMU on the award of the Royal Warrant allowing them to fly the blue ensign.
7. River Works
i London Gateway – it was reported that the Minister was “minded” to approved the scheme, but as yet, formal approval had not been granted. P&O are proceeding and have appointed a new management team.
ii Windfarms – RS reported on the current situation.
a) Kentish Flats now operational.
b) London Array – ES responses sent to Dti. Meetings with developers ongoing.
c) Greater Gabbard and Warwick Thanet applications expected soon.
d) Gunfleet 1 & 2 – nothing further heard.
It was reported to the meeting that Scroby Sands windfarm off Caister was suffering scouring affecting the stability of the turbine structures.
iii Princes Channel – the dispute with the EA over definitions of waste and beneficial use are ongoing. Once resolved the dredge to 8m should go ahead.
iv Britned Interconnector – Medway River Works Licence had been received. No further news.
8. AOB
The Chairman offered a vote of thanks to Kathryn Hossain for her work on RUCF(E).
9. Date of Next Meeting
Friday 7th April 2006 – 1030hrs.
