QUEENS HARBOUR MASTER

PORTSMOUTH

Local Notice To Mariners

No 42/02

DOCKYARD PORT OF PORTSMOUTH - IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PORT MARINE SAFETY CODE

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in accordance with the recommendations of the Port Marine Safety Code (March 2000) and Guidelines for Good Practice, as published by the DTLR, the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth has implemented a Safety Management System (SMS).
   
   
2. The purpose of the SMS is to improve the level of safety for everyone using the waters under the jurisdiction of the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth. The SMS will be used to record and collate data that can be used over time to update risk analysis and to aid the decision - making tools required for the implementation of improvements to safety.
   
   
3. The SMS has been developed around 6 main headings:

   *	Background and Scope
   *	Policy Setting
   *	Staff Organisation
   *	Procedures
   *	Monitoring and Measuring Performance
   *	Audit and Review

   The SMS is regarded as a living document and its application is the responsibility of the Queen's Harbour Master. Other users of the Dockyard Port are expected to familiarize themselves with the sections of the SMS applicable to them and QHM therefore undertakes to make the SMS openly available for public use, consultation, comment and suggested improvements. A Steering Group made up of a broad representation of stakeholders shall review the SMS every two years.
   
   

4. In keeping with the requirements of the SMS, QHM is to be informed of all incidents taking place within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth. Incidents should be taken to include oil pollution (LNTM 02/02), damage to vessels, movement of or damage to navigational marks, damage to shore facilities and close quarters situations between two or more vessels which results in emergency action on the part of the vessels involved (LNTM 06/02). Notification in the first instance should be to QHM's Duty Harbour Control Officer, on 023 9272 3694 or on VHF Channel 11, providing details of the incident and address of the reportee. An SMS 'Record of Reportable Event' (SMS Form 5.11) will then be forwarded for completion to assist subsequent investigations (if required). It is intended that lessons learnt from all incidents will be promulgated as widely as possible.
   
   
5. As an integral part of the Port Marine Safety Code, and in keeping with the SMS, Organisers of recreational events planned to take place within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth have responsibility for the safety of their event.
   
   
6. It is a requirement of the Safety Code that a Risk Assessment is undertaken when planning the event. This is to ensure that all hazards are taken into consideration and that any risks arising from the event are properly controlled to ensure that they are 'As Low As Reasonably Practicable' (ALARP).
   
   
7. QHM's Office will assist where possible to ensure that the Organiser's Risk Assessment meets the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code. In the first instance the Royal Yachting Association 'Guidance Notes on Risk Assessment for Events in Harbour Authority Areas' ( available at www.rya.org.uk/legal ) should be consulted and the respective form for size of event (Major, Medium or Small) should be completed and forwarded to QHM.
   
   
8. Organisers are reminded that they also have responsibility for promulgating details of their event. In certain circumstances QHM may consider assisting with promulgation by issuing a Local Notice to Mariners, subject to recovery of costs arising from the issue.
   
   
9. Cancel Portsmouth Local Notice to Mariners No 41/02 - superseded.