Issue - meetings

MARITIME SERVICE REPORT

Meeting: 17/10/2017 - Pwllheli Harbour Consultative Committee (Item 7)

7 UPDATE ON HARBOUR MANAGEMENT MATTERS PDF 163 KB

To submit a report by the Maritime and Country Parks Officer.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Senior Manager – Economy and Community referred to the Dredging Strategy and noted that Alan Williams (Coastal Engineering UK Ltd) had been commissioned together with Gwynedd Consultancy to look at the options in terms of strengthening the Crib Groyne and reducing the sediment.

A presentation was given by Alun Williams providing details about his work in assessing and reviewing the Crib Groyne. He drew attention to four possible options and an estimate of the cost involved, namely:

1. Minimum maintenance of the existing structure (£10-15,000);

2. Higher level maintenance and reinstatement of the existing structure (£35-40,000);

3. Vertical extension/encasement of the existing structure using a combination of (a) crib steelwork or (b) sheet piling and rock armour (£125-135,000 (a) or £225-240,000 (b)); or

4. Encasement of the existing structure in rock armour (£140-150,000).

The following considerations were highlighted in terms of the options:

· Both options 1 and 2 require minimal intervention and will provide some but little in the way of improved performance compared to existing conditions;

· Options 3 and 4 by virtue of both increased elevation and improved robustness and integrity will reduce both transmission through and movement over the structure; however

· Over a ten year period, the present value of costs of these options was likely to be higher than continued practice of dredging and removal; and

· Options 1, 2 and 4 were the most flexible in terms of adaptability in future arrangements.

Members were given an opportunity to provide observations and ask questions to the consultant, and he responded to them as follows:

· In regards to increasing the length of the Crib Groyne, increasing the length of the Crib Groyne had not been included in his brief and more detailed work in term of modelling, assessing the impact and environmental considerations would need to be done. He noted that work needed to be done in the short term;

· Could possibly consider moving the trailing arm more to the left when assessing long term options;

· That using heavy rock armour or pre-fab concrete structures to reinforce, rather than a steel structure and moving the trailing arm so that it can enter deep water, was something to consider.

· Agreed that option 3 would only prevent the situation from deteriorating for a period, but was presented as not to rule it out as a possible option;

· Annual maintenance was a financial burden and therefore a study of the long term options was needed in regards of the Crib Groyne and to also consider moving the direction of the other arm.

The Senior Manager Economy and Community noted that the service was eager to implement a short term solution in the coming months. He added that a long term solution would be a 2-3 year process, therefore, it was necessary to implement a short term solution that would not restrict the possible long term options.

The Pwllheli Marina Berth Holders' Association Representative noted that it should be considered to increase the length of the Crib Groyne gradually in ... view the full minutes text for item 7

Meeting: 11/10/2017 - Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee (Item 7)

7 UPDATE ON HARBOUR MANAGEMENT MATTERS PDF 163 KB

To submit a report by the Maritime and Country Parks Officer.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Maritime and Country Parks Officer guided the members through the report, drawing attention to the following main points:

· That the Consultative Committee was statutory and that the membership was in accordance with Section 6(2) (a-j) of the Porthmadog Harbour Revision Order. A request had been received by Porthmadog Rowing Club to have representation on the Consultative Committee. It was noted that it had been explained to them that Dr John Jones-Morris represented leisure interests on the Consultative Committee and matters could be referred to him to be considered.

· There were 135 boats on annual moorings in Porthmadog Harbour in 2017 compared with 129 in 2016. It was encouraging to see a small increase in the numbers this year.

· That the Government's Department for Transport had published modifications to the Ports' Safety Code in November 2016. Copies of the new code had been circulated to all Members of the Consultative Committee and copies could also be obtained on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s website.

· Between 19 and 21 September 2017, a thorough inspection was carried out by the Coastguard Agency's auditors on the current safety arrangements and systems of Gwynedd municipal harbours in order to ensure compliance with the Ports' Safety Code. The initial opinion of the auditors was that the Council complied with the requirements in general but that some aspects relating to recording duties and noting the Duty Holder needed to be amended. The auditors visited the harbours of Aberdyfi, Porthmadog and Pwllheli during the audit. In regards to Porthmadog Harbour, the observations received were excellent and no problems had become apparent. The Harbour Master and the Senior Harbours Officer were thanked for their work in ensuring that the appropriate documentation was in place.

· A written report had been received by the auditors on the day of the meeting outlining matters requiring attention from the Council. It was explained that the Council had a specific period to revise its arrangements and the Coastguard Agency would revisit the service within 12 months of submitting the report when recommendations submitted in the report would be expected to be actioned. It was noted that copies of the report would be circulated to members.

· Following a discussion with the auditors, it was agreed in principle that it would be beneficial for the date of the second visit to coincide with the date of the Harbour Consultative Committee. It was suggested to the auditors that it could be beneficial for the auditors to attend a meeting of the Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee and invite representatives from the Consultative Committees of Aberdyfi, Barmouth and Pwllheli to the meeting in October 2018.

· No observations had been received relating to the Marine Safety Code since the previous meeting.

· A detailed inspection was conducted by Trinity House Lighthouse Authority inspectors on 2 August 2017. Compared with previous reports, the 2017 report confirmed a further improvement in the condition and locations of Porthmadog Harbour's Navigation Aids. A chart displaying the current locations of the navigation aids ... view the full minutes text for item 7