RUCF (Estuary) Minutes - 20th October 2006

NOTES OF A MEETING OF THE RIVER USERS’ CONSULTATIVE FORUM (ESTUARY) HELD AT 1030 ON 20th OCTOBER 2006

AT LONDON RIVER HOUSE, GRAVESEND

Meeting opened at 10.00hrs

Present:

Capt G Dickins (GD) Harbour Master (Lower) – Chairman
Capt R Stanbrook (RS) Deputy Harbour Master (Lower)
Elaine Wybourn (EW)Asst. Harbour Master (Lower) – Secretary

Local Interests:
Norman Cosh (NC) -  Alan C Bennett and Sons
Mick Ross (MR) - Southend Borough Council
Beth Axtell (BA) - Environment Agency
Darryl Godbold (DG) - SLFN
Roger Barker (RB) - Trinity House
Michael Sheffras (MS) – ATYC
Tom Sims (TS) -RYA South East
Ken Waller (KW) - Medway Yachting Ass (MYA)
Chris Edwards (CE) - RYA (Eastern Region)
John Window (JW1) - PLA Canvey
Roger Gee(RG) - MCA (Harwich)
Katherine Harris (KH) - PLA (MCT)
Steve Gobbi (SG) - Medway Ports
Joss Wiggins (JW) - Kent & Essex Sea Fisheries Committee

1.  Apologies for Absence

Received from Captain Julian Parkes and Essex Police.

New members

Elaine Wybourn PLA, Katherine Harris PLA and John Window PLA Holehaven

2.  Minutes of Previous Meeting

Accepted as a true record.

3.  Matters Arising from 2.

i.. CE questioned the PLA position on the Essex Estuaries Marine Site

KH said she would refer the question again to Nicola Jenkins and would give a written response as requested.  ACTION: KH

ii.. MS questioned how the boundary of PLA jurisdiction related to those boundaries delineating the river basin management areas under the Water Framework Directive. Nicola Jenkins to respond. KH had no information.  KH to research & report. ACTION; KH

iii.. JW commented that if benthic and fish surveys were on going then it may be worth reviewing the periods to coincide with maximum fish population. DG & JW still need to liaise with PLA Environmental to increase effectiveness of surveys and respond in writing.
                         ACTION; DG/JW

            iv. Explosive Ordnance Disposal. Briefing should be extended to include the fishing

            community. DG had no information, GD had furnished DG with the information he required.

GD apologised that environmental issues had not been pursued since the last meeting.

4.PLA Sitrep

i. Safety Management System

GD speaking on behalf of Julian Parkes, provided details of SMS continuing evolution.

AIS regulations for up-river vessels on the Thames, aimed at vessels operating through bridges and class 5 passenger vessels, are with DfT for approval.

MS asked whether the AIS Byelaws were for vessels of 50 or 40 metres. RS confirmed it was 40m and 50 tons, any class 5.

GD confirmed Dangerous Substances in Bulk Byelaws and revised River Byelaws are expected to be approved by the end of the year.

A craft towage code of practice is being developed with the assistance of river users to run in line with existing codes of practice including ship towage and mooring.

New General Directions 2006 are now in force along with Pilotage Directions 2006 and local navigation byelaws.

  A guide to navigating through the Thames bridges is under development. The details appearing in Byelaws and tide tables are a little sketchy, the new document will give an in-depth guide to each bridgeI in order to improve safety.

Inland water ways National standard to be discussed later.

ii) Port security and ISPS Code.

Port Security – No problems on the water since last meeting. Recent problems in the aircraft industry which implemented security restrictions at Heathrow and elsewhere, did not impact on the shipping industry, ISPS level  remained unchanged. The national threat level went up to critical very briefly. There is no change likely in the foreseeable future.

Following receipt of intelligence reports concerning Greenpeace activity, a ship carrying Indonesian hardwood was escorted by Kent, Essex & Met Police. There was no sign of Greenpeace.

GD explained that ISPS is likely to be extended under the EC Directive next year to cover all sea-going ferry’s and domestic (coastal) passenger ships over 300 tons.

There will be an EC extension in 2007 of existing ISPS regulations to the ‘Greater Port’, which is yet to be defined by Transec. 

GD reported that there was a security exercise held in mid October covering oil terminals which was well represented by the security forces

iii. Environmental

KH introduced herself and explained her position within the PLA. There were two points to be discussed, firstly:

The Marine Bill proposed by the Government to improve the current frame works, managing and protecting all UK Marine uses. The bill consists of 5 facets

Marine consents

The PLA feels it’s important that the current licensing and dredging river works should be retained under the PLA’s own legislation.  We have an  effective system in consulting, particularly dredging. Our main concerns are that the process and relationships could be lost if the consents process for the Thames was to be  combined with the rest of the UK.

It is important to note that the PLA doesn’t object to the merging of FEPA consents and Coastal Protection Act consents but is concerned that it is not entirely appropriate for the Thames.

CE asked if KH knew how the objections and points are being received by DEFRA.  KH didn’t know how they were received, as at this stage they were only putting together all responses.

The PLA Website

KH pointed out that the PLA website has an environmental section that she is currently re-writing and re-designing. The main points being addressed are dredging, environmental legislation, projects and environmental monitoring in the Thames. Any improvements or comments regarding the website are welcomed.

Concerns were raised throughout the members at this point, regarding the Marine Bill being light on navigation as opposed to environmental issues. It was felt by all the professionals that this was disproportionate, being heavily weighted towards environmental matters.

CE expressed concerns, that if navigation and recreation were left out, they could equally be ignored. The same with spatial planning, CE was worried that local councils knew very little about water and felt that this needed to be watched carefully.

The general perception was that the person collating information was inexperienced and naive causing huge reasons for concerns.

KH advised that Nicky Clay had planned to talk about the Water Framework Directive at the meeting but was unable to attend.

iv. General

Trade figures down from January to June by 5 % generally. Fuel traffic is down, Crude Oil down.  Vopak has picked up trade since the closure of Buncefield.  Aggregates down 346 thousand tonnes. GD asked was this for any reason NC commented that  construction industry was slack. Unitised traffic up, Coal down, Sugar up, Steel up, Vehicles lower, a general downward trend.

5.Navigational Safety and Consultancy matters

i. River Incidents.  RS introduced a selection of incidents which had taken place in the estuary since the last meeting, mostly involving fishing boats

GD suggested to JW as there appeared to be more cases of fishing boats not communicating, could this be passed on to their members. JW agreed to pass on the PLA’s concerns to the committee at the next meeting.

ii. Sunk Traffic Proposals.  Following earlier concerns over pilot boarding and landing and control of traffic in the approaches to Harwich, a traffic separation scheme is under development.  

RB reported that the proposals were approved by Nav 52 in July, the next stage is the IMO MSC in early December and it is expected the scheme will be in place 1^st July 2007.

iii.  Leisure Craft crossing points

 John Skellorn of the RYA had raised an issue with the provision and promulgation of crossing points for leisure traffic in the lower river.

RS confirmed the recommended route for leisure craft. This route causes problems at Tilburyness, a blind corner where traffic lights can go unnoticed. RS asked what views the River Users had with regard to extending the crossing points.

MC was unaware of any recommended places to cross from the Medway to the north and back, and would like to look at them before commenting. RS highlighted another problem that the route was marked on Admiralty charts but not on Imray or Stanfords charts.

CE mentioned that Harwich Haven provide excellent guides that have yacht tracks clearly marked. SG attended a MYA meeting, where Chris Bordas was given the job of liaising with the MYA to progress recommended yacht tracks in the Medway.

MC expressed his concerns and the need for informed help. RS informed the committee that the PLA was investigating the production of user guides in a format similar to that issued by Harwich.  CE on behalf of the River Users endorsed the Harwich Haven guides which were ‘terrific’. CE proposed that River user guides should be available for the Thames Estuary out to Margate. SG commented that he was all for co-operating with the PLA to produce something to cover the whole estuary although this would cost money  ACTION; RS TO TAKE FORWARD

iv) Inland Waterways – National Standards

RG explained, because of an EC Directive coming into force in 2008, there is a need to get commercial vessels to appropriate standards across the UK. RG read the three options for certification to operate commercially on UK inland waters.

• A community certificate- for inland waters, valid for 10 years
• A national certificate- subject to satisfactory survey, valid for 5 years
• A certificate of fitness for purpose-for existing vessels, subject to inspection and survey

Boat Master’s Licence

The regulations are expected to come into force on 1^st January2007

The proposal has a two tier system for the boat masters licence

• National licence
• Restricted licence

v. Craft anchoring in fairways.

Incidents have been recently reported concerning angling craft anchoring in the middle of the fairway. PLA Notice to Mariners 28 of 2006 warns of the dangers involved in this practice.

6. Other updates

 i. MCA

• RG reported on the safety concerns regarding defective life jackets manufactured by Remploy between 1997 and 2006. RG left safety alert handouts for members to take.
• Personal water craft (PWC) issue, lots of calls from the public, still need more feedback. The MCA had a court case recently that has made them think more about this. At the moment identification of the user is critical. PWC users are encouraged to register with data tag. Alex Steele has been nominated by MCA as PWC liaison officer, headquarters 02380329100. Alex Steele is able to arrange safety road shows aimed at PWC users.

ii. Medway

• SG reported PWC meeting in Medway was very well attended.
• Kent police invited to place their marine unit in Sheerness. Medway have agreed accommodation, on going.
• Incident with Greenpeace.  RIBs launched at Queenborough, picked up quickly on camera, police & patrol vessels launched but they were not unlawful, escorted out
• Super critical generators will be at Kingsnorth Powerstation after closure in 2013 ensuring the future of coal fired power generation on  the Medway for the future.
• Planning applications have been submitted for National Grid to build second jetty on the site of BP Grain No 8 Jetty.
• Marine operational guidelines soon to be published.  A revision of byelaws is to go ahead as current edition is seriously out of date.
• Medway are setting up an Environment Management System.
• Application received for wind farms on BP site, Medway objected earlier on 2 turbines because of radio links for tide gauges and radar black spots. BP have co-operated and have withdrawn 2. Port Authority has not objected to the 7 other turbines.

iii. Riparian Boroughs

            Southend-on-sea – Mick Ross

• Expressed difficulties with PWCs, hard for Southend with reduced staffing, reduced boats and boat launch strip not being manned. Hard to apprehend offenders with only one launch.  Essex marine police are helpful but are also stretched.
• Afloat, staff loss has had dramatic effect. Fortunately low waters were covered during busy times. Foreshore department attendance as follows:-

54 incidents involved with

185 stood by

25 assisted

Dozen minor incidents

• Ashore Blue Flag  beached manned

MR left postcards inviting visitors to Southend pier to say what they would like to see on the pier.

Confirmed pier head has been re-opened since August.

Fireworks every Saturday night up to the 4^th Nov.

Iv. Environment Agency – Beth Axtell

B A has taken over from Dave DeCoster since his retirement, as the permanent representative on RUCF(E).

Nothing to report other than the investigation on waste sites in Erith is still taking place.

V.   Trinity House – Roger Barker

• Sunk scheme is an MCA submission not Trinity house
• AIS now in place. AIS can be used as an aid for navigation. Plans to include weather data and tide information. AIS is moving ahead.
• Synchronised Buoys. Positive results, have sanction from pay masters to go ahead, 7 buoys in pairs, looking at synchronised and sequential concepts. RS mentioned purpose change for buoys, moving away from identifying exact position from light of buoy, using AIS knowing where you are and then using the lights of the buoys like a runway. Advantages & disadvantages, particularly on safety critical buoys. RB commented on the Emergency Wreck Marking Buoys (EWMB) yellow and blue lights, yellow & blue flashing lights, if more than one deployed at once they are synchronised together. Trialled them, very positive. 
• Dredging of Princes Channel, will work with PLA

RS asked whether the additional data, will be broadcast from the navigation aid itself or will it be virtual broadcast. RB confirmed it will be broadcast from the aid itself.

RS asked when deploying EWMB will you mark by AIS First. RB confirmed in the future yes, but needs to be trialled.

7.  River Events

RS confirmed nothing planned until next Spring.

8.  River Works

i.  London Gateway – Decision due at the end of 2006.

ii.  Windfarms – RS reported on the current situation.

a)      Kentish Flats no. of conditions of licensing still haven’t been met,

·         Marking – turbines to be numbered sequentially KF1-30.

·         Aero lighting – on going problems, proposal to solve, is linking the light with a fog metre.  To be trialled early next year.

·         At night the yellow flashing lights should be synchronised, currently being fixed.

b)      Gunfleet some movement soon, construction possible 2008.

c)      London Array. Objections still not lifted. Have agreed the removal of turbines to the south west.  VTS mitigation package is under negotiation.

iii. Princes Channel – current dredging has ceased, nothing likely to happen until early next year.  The dredging to 8 metres is likely to complete end of 2007

JW had heard rumours that following the dredging, problems had arisen with sides falling in. GD confirmed there was no evidence of this as dredging had only achieved overall 50cm extra depth so far, critical depth is 6.4. JW asked if it was a problem would the PLA go back to Fisherman Gat.  GD  confirmed, but would do so reluctantly.

iv   Britned Cable route – no movement. SG reported Medway have no further news.

v.  Canvey LNG

Proposal to re-instate LNG through into Canvey Terminal, subject to risk assessment by consultants. Has been rejected by Castle Point council.

9.  Future meetings - structure

GD asked if the members were happy with the way the RUCF meetings were held and whether anyone would like to see any changes in the format.

Any ideas are welcomed.

10. AOB

There were no further points.

11.  Time/Date of next meeting

Friday 20^th April 2007 10.30hrs

Meeting closed at 1235hrs.