Verbal Update
Minutes:
SH.36/21
The Harbour Master updated the Board and raised the following points:
· Blazeby Maritime Consultants had been appointed to put together a safety management system, the draft of which was to be completed in February 2022, and the report brought to the next Board meeting in March. The Harbour Master (HM) cited this was an important piece of work.
· Security contract:– following the discussions at the workshop held before the last Board meeting (15 November 2021), a way forward had been drafted. As the present security contract was due to expire in September 2022, this had now been extended to March 2023 to enable explorations into a safer and more cost efficient way forward. A paper would be brought to the June 2022 Board meeting, the date of which would be set soon by SHDC as part of the annual Calendar of Meetings.
· Training requirement:– the HM confirmed that all training had been completed and that all staff had received first aid training last week.
· The mandatory oil spill response had been completed and returned. Every member of staff (save two officers) were now trained in oil spill management. The Harbour also had a contractor which ensured a gold standard response.
· One of the Deputy Harbour Masters gave an update on marine maintenance, with all deep water work now completed, and 95% of Fore Shore moorings also finished. Currently preparation was underway to be ready for the coming season with the boat, ‘Black Stone’, under refit. It was hoped to have the boat back into the water within a fortnight.
· The changes made to the lifting plan last summer had been successful, with a launching plan put together to get all vessels launched in March. According to the Marine Blue Book, it was advised that every five years, an out of water survey of boats should be carried out. This year the Harbour had employed an external investigator to review these and only minor alterations had been identified. It had been a worthwhile process.
· One of the Deputy Harbour Masters had reviewed the moorings alongside the 5-year Plan. He had reviewed the moorings retention process and confirmed that there were fewer moorings being handed back and more people requesting to join waiting lists, therefore the waiting lists were increasing. Facilities had a longer waiting list with only a handful of berths on shoreline changing hands. It was felt that although people who had joined the waiting lists in 2015/16 were now coming to the top of the waiting lists, with the increase in size of the lists, it was possible that those who had joined in the last two years could potentially be waiting double that time. It was pointed out that the lists may contain duplicate names as some people had joined multiple waiting lists in the hope that one would become available sooner. The summer transient mooring booking list was opened on 4th January 2022, and was fully booked by 11:30 that morning, which could imply another very busy season ahead. As staff needed to take leave before the start of the next season, it meant that the Harbour team would not be at full capacity throughout the winter months.
· Supplies and stock had significantly increased in cost, with many items unavailable. Following a question from the Chairman, the HM confirmed that the budget should be sufficient for the coming financial year as there had been some cost increases built into the budget, but the surplus, which had been earned from filling the harbour for six months instead of the customary two, would help. The HM confirmed he was in regular contact with the Finance Manager at SHDC.