SH.11/21
The Harbour Master (HM) gave a
verbal update to the Board which outlined:
•
Workload had been very high over the last few months, with
today’s discussions giving a good snapshot of what the team
had been occupied with.
•
Approaching full season from the coming weekend, with senior
management working seven days per week, extra staff employed,
security increased, and more hours on the water.
•
The 5-year business plan was progressing and dovetailing into South
Hams District Council’s document, thereby aligning
themes. The concept of a rolling 5-year
plan was being incorporated and the HM would arrange a workshop at
the appropriate time.
•
Safety – only two instances to report. The first a couple of weeks before and the second
was yesterday: both were knocks and bangs.
o One
slipped line, stuck in gear, and the boat could not be stopped
before it hit the bathing platform of anchored boat. No injuries other than bruising, Harbour Staff
responded brilliantly. Boat out of the
water next week, with a report to the Captain, as panic exacerbated
the situation, and cutting the engine would have
helped.
o The
second instance was during the regatta. Regatta was to have 17 or
19 rigs with 25 to each crew. Start
delayed due to swell at harbour edge. After half an hour’s
delay, the regatta was started, but one rig was caught in a freak
wave with seven ending up in the water.
All were taken out of the water, the boat righted, and the event
eventually continued. The Independent
Person was fully aware of the incident and there would be a small
investigation, which would hopefully feed into September’s
report.
o
Lessons to be learnt – fortunate no fatalities. Quick response from staff and sensible response to
get back upright, restricted event going forward. Life jackets were only worn by two and this would
form part of the review.
o Live
investigations therefore event’s future would be determined
later, once the final safety report was available.
o It
is unusual for rig to capsize, this will ripple through South Hams,
British Rowing will undertake their own investigation. Once Cllr
Bastone had received the report, he
would bring it back to the Board.
•
Projects updated on the morning’s trip around the
Harbour
•
CCTV, mooring barge, offices review.
•
Training – revalidation on forklift and crane (off season end
Sept), SHDC line management development pathway. Legislative training and development training
trying to ensure both happen.
•
August budget workshop/emails would be arranged similar to the
previous year, for financial review in September 2022.
•
Following an internal audit, the HM updated on the finances with
tools and materials noted as expensive, income had not been audited
as such. Chain procurement for this
year was about to happen, but recent material price increases were
noted as being steep, e.g. steering cable had now doubled in price
and only half stock available.