Port Marine Safety Code

This is possibly one of the most important areas of the Dart Harbour website, and indeed this section governs a critical element of Dart Harbour’s ethos, namely maximising safety for all river users.

In 2009, the Port Marine Safety Code was published, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to marine safety. The code applies to all statutory harbour authorities, of which Dart Harbour is one. The code is primarily aimed at the ‘Duty Holder’, in this case the Dart Harbour board, and sets out some national standards for ports to adhere to. Whilst the Code is not in itself a statutory obligation, it is enshrined and intertwined with relevant related legislation associated with keeping ports safe, such as the Pilotage Act 1987, the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, the Health and Safety at Work Act and Dock regulations. It goes without saying that it is Dart Harbour’s inferred duty to comply with the Code and it’s supporting document, the ‘Guide to Good Practice on Port Marine Operations’.

As part of a revitalised approach to safety in the year since my arrival, Dart Harbour’s response to these items are as follows:

1. The board are updated at the monthly board meeting on safety items and compliance with the Code.

2. A Designated Person has been appointed, who has full access to all safety related documentation and issues at Dart Harbour. His CV is shown to the right (to follow). He submits a 6-monthly report to the board commentating on compliance, for discussion at board meetings.

3. The Safety Management System (SMS) has recently undergone a complete overhaul. The Dart Harbour staff have worked very hard, on top of routine duties, to achieve this, and should be rightly proud of their achievement. The SMS is an open document, and available for the public to view by appointment at the harbour office. Selected SMS documents, including all a list of all Risk Assessments, are available to the right. If you would like to see a specific Risk Assessment, please email ahm@dartharbour.org

4. The recently completed Safety Plan and Policy document is available to the right (to follow). As the plan is new, performance against it is not yet available, but will be published here as soon as it is. This will comprise audit reports and culminate in the next annual letter of compliance with the Code from the Chairman of the Board to the Maritime and coastguard Agency (MCA).