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Compliance with Port Code Achieved
Falmouth Harbour Commissioners have completed an exhaustive process
to comply with the Port Marine Safety Code. Whilst some further
work is necessary in evaluating some risk control options identified
in a study carried out by Marico Marine last July, the process of
developing an audited safety management system has been completed.
Compliance was audited by Peter Nicholson of Nicholsons Risk Management
who stated "in our opinion, there is now in place a safety
management system which, if maintained actively, complies with the
requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code".
The Chairman of the Board Paul Bickford paid tribute to the Commissioners
and Staff involved in the project saying "this work represents
in important milestone in the way the port is managed. It has required
considerable analysis of the way we carry out our functions and
has been accomplished within a tight timescale".
Details of the work undertaken to comply with the code can be found
on our web site.
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| Willy Safely Alongside Falmouth
Docks |
Falmouth Accepts Freed Willy
The Motor Tanker WILLY which achieved national notoriety after causing
homes in East Cornwall to be evacuated after it grounded was accepted
into Falmouth for dry docking.
Falmouth was always the salvors first choice of destination and
when A & P Falmouth confirmed that they were able to offer Dry
Dock facilities discussions began in earnest aimed at bringing the
Vessel here. Before final arrangements could be made the salvors
were required to satisfy the safety concerns of the Harbour Master
and a plan acceptable to the Secretary of State's Representative
had to be approved. WILLY was towed to Falmouth by the Tug GREY
TEST and was inspected on arrival to ensure that it was safe to
enter the Port. Once this decision had been made she was piloted
to a berth assisted by Docks Tugs ANKORVA and PERCUIL.
Revision Order Storm
The consultation process for the Harbour Revision Order caused a
flurry of press activity when it was erroneously reported that Falmouth
Harbour Commissioners were about to introduce charges of up to £75
for leisure users each time they entered the Harbour. Chief Executive
Mark Sansom appeared live on Radio Cornwall to set the record straight.
The current Revision Order does contain a clause to repeal exemptions
from harbour dues for certain harbour users derived from the 1958
Falmouth Harbour Act. The Commissioners feel that the repeal is
necessary to bring their powers in line with those of the vast majority
of harbour authorities nationally who are free to decide where dues
are to be levied without such restrictions.
Consultative Committee Meeting
A second meeting of the Consultative Committee took place on 4th
December. Among the items were discussed was a draft of the latest
Harbour Revision Order as well as considering any requirements for
changes in the Harbour Bye- Laws.
Commercial Shipping Boost
2001 was a much improved year for commercial shipping movements
following a relatively poor year in 2000. The total number of piloted
movements recorded was 2099 compared to 1798 for 2000 an increase
of 16%.
Board Minutes Available on Web Site
In a further measure aimed at ensuring the Harbour Board conducts
its business in an open and accountable way, the Board plan to publish
a version of the minutes of their Board Meetings on the Web Site
from later on this month. The Chairman, Paul Bickford welcomed the
decision stating that "this is a small but significant step
aimed at giving the public greater access to what we do and a better
understanding of the issues facing the Authority today".
view board minutes
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Brenda Bowers Receives Her Plaque from Paul
Bickford |
New Commissioners Selected
Interviews were held in December to select two new harbour commissioners
to replace Peter Visick and Brenda Bowers who's terms of appointment
ended on 31st December. The adverts were well responded to and interview
panel consisting of Paul Bickford (Chairman of FHC) Robert Toy (Chairman
of the Consultative Committee) and John Brown (independent consultant)
had difficult decisions to make. The new commissioners selected
were Nick Offord and Mike Orton. It is hoped that the formalities
will be dealt with in time for them to attend the February Board
Meeting. The two outgoing Commissioners were presented with plaques
to commemorate their years of service
Oil Pollution Exercise Planned
A major booming exercise is planned to take place in the Percuil
River in the Spring. A revolutionary boom deployment technique developed
by Falmouth Harbour Commissioners in conjunction with the Emergency
Planning Department of Cornwall County Council will be given a full
scale test.
Yacht Haven Improvements
The Harbour Board have approved the expenditure necessary to add
a North West Breakwater to their Yacht Haven Pontoons to increase
the protection afforded particularly to winter residents. They have
also commissioned plans to be drawn up for a fuel barge which will
operate from the pontoons. It is hoped that the fuel barge will
commence operation at the start of the summer and that the extra
breakwater can be added at the end of the summer season.
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