QUEENS HARBOUR MASTER

PORTSMOUTH

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS

LNTM 26/04

RISK ASSESSMENT OF RECREATIONAL EVENTS

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen’s Harbour Master Portsmouth and jointly by the Harbour Masters of Portsmouth Commercial Port, Associated British Ports Southampton, Cowes and Langstone. It is intended to give advice to event organisers on the requirement and scope of risk assessment and risk management in line with the principles of the Port Marine Safety Code (DETR March 2000).

2. This notice is to be read in conjunction with document entitled – A Guide to Good Practice on Port Marine Operations (Section 7 Management of Navigation – Event Planning) DTLR March 2002 and the document guidance notes entitled “Event Risk Assessment: A Brief Guide to Organisers.” This latter document is available in the library section of the QHM website.

3. Your attention is also drawn to the advice given in the preparation of risk assessments issued by the Royal Yachting Association (http://www.rya.org.uk/)

4. The risk assessment and the safety management of a particular event will be the responsibility of the event organizer.

5. All Event Organisations are requested to consult with the relevant Harbour Authority at the earliest opportunity prior to any event taking place. For most types of events a formal risk assessment will be required. The content of this assessment will need to be proportional to the event / activity.

6. The event risk assessment should identify all risks concerned with the safe and efficient use of the harbour by all harbour users. Details of how the risk is to be controlled will be part of the assessment.

7. The formal risk assessment should be submitted not less than 4 weeks prior to the planned event to enable the harbour authority to comment and consult on the this assessment. When the harbour authority is satisfied that the risks to harbour safety and port users have been effectively mitigated, formal acceptance of the risk assessment and authorization for the event to proceed will be given.

8. Any requirement for the harbour authority to provide additional resources by the way of escort craft, navigation marks or promulgation of an Event Notice to Mariners will normally be at the expense of the event organizer.

9. Portsmouth Local Notice to Mariners 06/03 is hereby superseded.