Security
Core Policy
Promote and deliver a safety first culture ensuring the highest standards in health and safety for CHC
employees and harbour users and complying fully with the Port Marine Safety Code.
Port Marine Safety Code
In accordance with our Strategic Plan objectives, the Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) Marine Safety Management Plan
was ratified by the Board of Commissioners in January 2016.
The independent external audit and annual review of CHC’s Safety Management System compliance with the Port Marine
Safety Code was conducted in December 2016, meeting another of CHC’s Strategic Plan objectives. The results were
presented to the Commissioners at their January 2017 meeting and a statement to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
was made at the end of March 2017 confirming our continued compliance. A number of changes and initiatives arose from
the safety review, including:
Cowes Harbour Pilot Exemption Certificate holders undergoing regular renewals will be subject to ‘local knowledge’
checks to ensure that their knowledge remains current.
Cowes Harbour Pilots will undergo quality assurance checks to ensure we are providing a safe and professional service
for visiting commercial ships.
A review of the system used for Risk Assessments is being undertaken to ensure suitability for all sites and processes.
General Directions
The annual review of Cowes Harbour General Directions was carried out at the end of 2016. Based on stakeholder feedback
and to further improve safety, CHC has proposed a number of amendments and additions.
These include limitations on which vessels may transit the Small Craft Mooring Areas, the transference of the Local Notice to
Mariners on VHF Communications into the General Directions, and the addition of the requirement to gain permission before
carrying out welding or hot works on a vessel moored in a marina or on a commercial wharf.
Following completion of the statutory consultation process, CHC will implement the revised set of General Directions for the
2017 season.
Designated Person
In accordance with the Port Marine Safety Code, Cowes Harbour has appointed a “Designated Person” with direct access to the
Board who provides independent assurance about the operation and effectiveness of CHC’s Marine Safety Management System
and to ensure compliance with the Code. Capt. Peter Jackson is currently the Designated Person for CHC and undertakes an
internal audit of the harbour’s compliance with the Code annually, whilst an external audit is conducted every three years, with
the next one due in 2019.
Incidents, Investigations and Enforcement
Commercial
Four incidents involving commercial vessels were reported during the period since the last Annual Report and have been
investigated by CHC, with findings shared with the Solent Operators Group (SOG) and Marine Accident Investigation Branch
(MAIB) where appropriate.
Close Quarters Situation – A grey RIB cut close under the bow of a commercial vessel, which had to take immediate
avoiding action.
Swamping a yacht during berthing manoeuvres – When turning onto a berth, a commercial vessel swamped a yacht
with her generated wash.
Close Quarters Situation – Due to a lack of effective lookouts on two commercial vessels, the craft left their respective
berths without noticing the other’s movement resulting in a close quarters situation.
Close Quarters Situation – Due to a series of basic errors and loss of situational awareness in dense fog, a PEC
(Pilotage Exemption Certificate) holder resulted in a close quarters situation between two commercial vessels.
No damage or injuries were sustained as a result of the above incidents although key findings and recommendations have
provided “lessons learned” that have been actioned to improve harbour safety.
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