Port of Bridgwater PORT OPERATIONS MANUAL Revision 9 – February 2021 Prepared by: Capt. K Badsey Sedgemoor District Council Bridgwater House King Square Bridgwater Somerset TA6 3AR Tel: 44 (0)300 303 7799 email: [email protected] Website www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/portofbridgwater REVISION RECORD Received & inserted Date Remove Pages Insert Pages into plan by: Original - - - Oct 2006 November 2007 Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Update May - Various Details - 2008 Updated 9, 11, 14, 20, 22, 9, 11, 14, 20, 22, July 2009 26, 28,30, 37, 26, 28,30, 37, 47, 47, 55, 57 55, 57 August 2014 Plan reviewed and re-issued as Revision 6 Appendix 1 Appendix 1 August 2015 K.Badsey 2014 2015 Appendix 1 Appendix 1 August 2016 K.Badsey 2015 2016 August 2016 (Amend 1 to 1, 6, 8 1, 6, 8 K.Badsey 2014 Plan) Sept 2017 Appendix 1 Appendix 1 K.Badsey 2016 2017 July 2018 Appendix 1 Appendix 1 K.Badsey 2017 2018 Sept 2019 Plan reviewed and re-issued as Revision 7 Aug 2020 (Amend 1 to v,1,3,8 v,1,3,8 K.Badsey 2019 Plan) August 2020 Plan updated to meet accessibility requirements February 2021 Plan updated regarding Max vessel dimensions Combwich (Page 7) Contents: Page Part 1 - Introduction 1.1 Statutory Harbour Authority 1 1.2 Competent Harbour Authority 1 1.3 Duty Holder 1 1.4 Designated Person 1 1.5 Policies 1.5.1 General Policies 2 1.5.2 Marine Safety Policy 2 Part 2 – Management of the Port 2.1 Local Legislation and general description 2.1.1 Geography 3 2.1.2 Local Acts 3 2.1.3 Port Limits 4 2.1.4 Tides and Tidal Ranges 5 2.1.5 Anchorages 5 2.1.6 Ship Parameters 6 2.1.7 Pilotage 7 2.2 Port Management 2.2.1 Line of Authority 8 2.2.2 Byelaws 8 2.2.3 Directions 8 2.3 Port users and Environment 2.3.1 Freight 9 2.3.2 Passenger Ships (Trip Boats) 9 2.3.3 Leisure Use 9 2.3.4 Fishing Vessels 9 2.3.5 Charter Boats 9 2.3.6 Designated Nature Conservation Sites 10 2.4 Key Performance Indicators 2.4.1 Pilotage 11 2.4.2 Pilot Boat 11 2.4.3 Navigation 11 2.4.4 Conservancy 11 2.4.5 Hydrography 12 2.4.6 Emergencies 12 2.4.7 Consultation 12 2.4.8 Audits and Continuous Assessment 12 i Port of Bridgwater Port Operations Manual Revision 9 February 2021 2.5 Safety Management System 2.5.1 Introduction 13 2.5.2 Functions to which the Code applies 13 2.5.3 Structure of the Safety Management System 13 2.6 Operations Plan 2.6.1 Overview of Port Movement Control 14 2.6.2 Communications 15 2.6.3 Collision Regulations 15 2.6.4 Speed Limits 15 2.6.5 Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) 15 2.6.6 Passage Planning 15 2.6.7 Pilotage 16 2.6.8 Training and Qualifications 16 2.6.9 Dangerous Vessels 17 2.6.10 Wrecks 17 2.6.11 Conservancy 18 2.6.12 Dangerous Goods 19 2.6.13 Waste Management 19 2.6.14 Tugs 19 2.6.15 Meteorology 19 2.6.16 Event Management 20 2.7 Formal Risk Assessment 21 2.8 Emergency Response - Assigned Areas of Responsibility 2.8.1 In the harbour approaches 21 2.8.2 Underway within the harbour 21 2.8.3 Alongside in the harbour 21 2.9 Emergency Response Plans 2.9.1 General 22 2.9.2 Harbour Oil Spill Contingency Plan 22 2.9.3 Accessibility 22 2.9.4 Tug and Salvage Equipment Availability 22 2.9.5 Fire 23 2.9.6 Persons in the water 23 2.10 Reporting and Assessment 2.10.1 Reports 24 2.10.2 Internal Investigation 24 2.10.3 External Reporting 25 ii Port of Bridgwater Port Operations Manual Revision 9 February 2021 2.11 Review and Audit 2.11.1 Introduction 26 2.11.2 Annual Review Harbour Master 26 2.11.3 Annual Audit Designated Person 26 APPENDICES Appendix 1 Marine Risk Assessments Appendix 2 Pilotage Directions Appendix 3 Standard Operating Procedures Appendix 4 Passage Plans Appendix 5 List of Aids to Navigation Appendix 6 Oil Spill Contingency Plan Appendix 7 Waste Management Plan Appendix 8 Audits Appendix 9 Risk Assessments under Health and Safety at Work Act Appendix 10 Procedure for Issuing Directions within the Port iii Port of Bridgwater Port Operations Manual Revision 9 February 2021 Part 1 – Introduction 1.1 Statutory Harbour Authority Sedgemoor District Council is the “Statutory Harbour Authority” for the Port of Bridgwater, under local legislation. (Detailed within section 2.1.2). It is answerable to its electorate via the councillors both in direct approaches and at the ballot box. 1.2 Competent Harbour Authority Sedgemoor District Council is also the “Competent Harbour Authority” for the Port of Bridgwater with duties and powers to manage the provision of a Pilotage service as empowered and detailed within The Pilotage Act 1987. 1.3 Duty Holder The Port Marine Safety Code states:- “Each harbour authority must have a “duty holder” who is accountable for its compliance with the Code and its performance in ensuring safe marine operations in the harbour and its approaches. For most harbour authorities, the role of Duty Holder is undertaken by members of the harbour board who are (both collectively and individually) accountable for marine safety under the Code”. Sedgemoor District Council’s executive is the Duty Holder for the Port of Bridgwater. As Duty holders they cannot assign or delegate their accountability for compliance with the Code on the grounds they do not have particular skills. 1.4 Designated Person The Port Marine Safety Code states: - “Each harbour authority must appoint an individual as the designated person to provide independent assurance directly to the duty holder that the marine safety management system, for which the Duty Holder is responsible, is working effectively. Their main responsibility is to determine, through assessment and audit, the effectiveness of the marine safety management system in ensuring compliance with the code.” Sedgemoor District Council have appointed Jerry Stanford, the Bristol Port Company’s Marine Director and Haven Master as the designated person for the Port of Bridgwater. 1 Port of Bridgwater Port Operations Manual Revision 9 February 2021 1.5 Policies 1.5.1 General Policy - This policy applies to all business units and assets operated or contracted-out within the Harbour Limits of Bridgwater. a. Protect the environment and the health and safety of employees, contractors and others by integrating safety, health and environmental management into all business processes, with equal importance to other business considerations. b. Provide the resources, information, training and supervision necessary to implement this policy. c. Demonstrate commitment through leadership and participation at all levels. Actively involve and consult employees and contractors. Have an open culture where personnel take pride in working safely and protecting the environment. d. Comply with or exceed legislative requirements, and use best-proven industry practices. e. Assess risks to personnel and the environment from current and proposed activities. Manage hazards to ensure that risks are as low as reasonably practicable. f. Maintain contingency plans to minimise the consequences of reasonably foreseeable incidents and ensure a fast and effective response. g. Audit compliance with this policy and its associated management systems, monitor their effectiveness and take appropriate action. 1.5.2 Marine Safety Policy - The Council and its staff will ensure marine safety by: a. Providing a safe environment for navigation through assessment and management of risks, and the provision of aids to navigation. b. Operating a well-run and efficient pilotage service. c. Regulating activities within the port as required and empowered by statute. d. Strict application of the Port Marine Safety Code and its supporting Guide to Good Practice. 2 Port of Bridgwater Port Operations Manual Revision 9 February 2021 Part 2 – Management of the Port 2.1 Local legislation and general description. 2.1.1 Geography The Port of Bridgwater lies on the North Coast of Somerset in the Bristol Channel. The working wharves within the port, on the banks of the River Parrett, are all owned and operated by independent terminal operators. The River Parrett is generally orientated north/south, with a meandering channel, which is only navigable during spring tide cycles. It is equipped with lights, marks and buoys as aids to navigation. The commercial wharves are situated at: - Combwich – Ro-Ro facility owned by and catering for, Hinkley Point Power Stations. Bibby’s Wharf - Close to Dunball, owned by Clearwater Plc. Currently unused by commercial shipping. Dunball Wharves General Berth - Owned by John Bainbridge. Limited recent use by Passenger Trip Vessels Aggregates Berth Owned by John Bainbridge. Leased to Hanson UK In regular use. 2.1.2 Local Acts The earliest extant legislation relating to the Port of Bridgwater is an 1845 Act for “improving the Navigation of the River and Bay leading to the Borough of Bridgwater”. Subsequent Acts and Regulations of 1904, 1908, and 1923 make amendments, additions and revocation to sections of the 1845 Act. Note: The 1904 document contains directions to shipping and Byelaws created under both the 1845 Local Act and the Petroleum Acts of 1871 and 1879. Due to changes within the Port and the cargoes handled, the Byelaws within the document are of limited if any value. 3 Port of Bridgwater Port Operations Manual Revision 9 February 2021 2.1.3 Port Limits The Port Limits are defined under Section “CI” of the 1845 Act under “interpretation” and state: - “The Word “Navigation” shall include so much of the Bay of Bridgwater and the River Parrett as is coloured Blue on a map of the said Bay and River authenticated by the signature of Henry Broadwood Esquire M.P.