Safety Management System

Portsmouth Commercial Port

This is the Home Page for Portsmouth Commercial Port's, Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC). The Port is committed to maintaining a dynamic, robust safety management system, underpinned by a vigorous safety culture covering all aspects of port marine operations. These pages are in addition to other principal documentation, eg., nautical charts, radio signal lists, light lists, tide and tidal stream tables, pilot books, etc.

This Code complements the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth's Port Marine Safety Code, which should also be taken into account.

Code Background Information

Stemming from the "Sea Empress" disaster in the Bristol Channel and culminating in a review of the Pilotage Act 1987, published in 1998; The Port Marine Safety Code was introduced, by the UK Government, for implementation from 1st January 2002.

The Code's aims are:

• To introduce a national standard for every aspect of port marine safety.
• To improve safety for those who use or work in ports, their ships, passengers and cargoes, and the environment.
• To establish a measure by which harbour authorities can be accountable for the legal powers and duties which they have, to run their harbours safely.

Portsmouth Commercial Port has worked closely with the Dockyard Port and is a member of the Port Marine Safety steering group for the whole Harbour. This group was set up primary for consultation with stakeholders and it will continue to meet to discuss port marine safety matters. This further demonstrates ownership and a commitment to policy and involvement of stakeholders.