Agenda item

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

3.         THE MARITIME OFFICER'S REPORT

 

Submitted:     The report of the Maritime and Country Parks Officer, Mr Barry Davies, on activities in Barmouth Harbour with specific reference to the following:-

 

 

(A) Port Marine Safety Code

 

Members were reminded that the Safety Code was not statutory and any observations from Members on health and safety issues would be appreciated.  

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

 

(B) Navigation and Moorings

 

Reported:

 

(i)            That the service had invested substantially in aids to navigation and this included lamps, chains etc. and as a result each aid was currently on station.

(ii)           It was necessary to install lights on some of the aids, however, the service was not too concerned as the Easter holiday was early this year and there might not be many boats on the water.   However, an assurance was given that the Senior Harbours Officer and the Harbour Master would install these as soon as possible.  

(iii)          That an investment would be considered next year to install a starboard buoy near the seawall for visiting boats to navigate easily into the harbour.

(iv)         Trinity House had conducted an inspection and a thorough audit and as a result it was stressed that the administrative arrangements were up to standard.

(v)          It was agreed not to invest in beach buoys apart from the gateway near the railway footbridge. 

(vi)         The service had contacted mooring owners and of the existing customers 60 applications had been received thus far and this was a reduction compared to previous years.   However, it was noted that the trend in every harbour was a reduced number.

(vii)        It was stressed that boats would not be allowed to moor in the harbour unless the written administrative paperwork was complete and correct which included insurance documentation, mooring certificate etc.

(viii)       The local contractor would be requested to take out the moorings that are not in use and individuals could not claim specific locations.

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

(C) Harbour Matters

 

Reported:

 

(i)            That approximately £8,000 had been invested to repair the pontoon last year and by now it was part of the responsibility of the Harbour Service and it was not known for how long it could be maintained considering the current financial climate with so little income received.  It was emphasised that the purpose of the pontoon was for visitor use only and the Harbour Master would monitor its use.   It was further noted that arrangements would be made to re-install the fingers on the pontoon soon.

 

In response to enquiries from individual members, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted:

 

·         That they had to have control over local boats that moor on the pontoon

·         Regarding the Harbour boat moored on the pontoon, that there was a great deal of repair work to be undertaken on the boat and alternative ways would have to be considered to reach the boat such as the arrangements that exist in Aberdyfi whereby the boat is moored with a tender available to reach it.

·         It was not the responsibility of the Harbour Master to respond to an emergency in the Harbour but rather for the Emergency Services and the Lifeboat but of course the Maritime Service would be there to assist if required.

 

(ii)           That approximately 47 metres cubed of concrete was used to refurbish the gardens, 1,000 litres of resin with 16 metres cubed for the quay wall and this was not sufficient to fill in the gaps.

 

(iii)          It was trusted that the ferry would be operational by Easter, however, an appeal was made to the operators to submit applications for a licence in good time as a day or two of notice was insufficient for the Maritime Service to process them.

 

A Member noted that they had to be strict with receiving applications in good time for processing and it should be noted that no licence would be processed unless the appropriate documentation had been submitted by the specified date.   

 

(iv)         That arrangements were in place for beach concessions in order to have better control of seaside activities.   The concessions were advertised in the local papers and any business was invited to submit an application.   The applications would then be assessed to ensure that every concession complies with the appropriate requirements.    One full application had been received for trampoline activities /swings /donkeys.

 

(v)          Regarding the movement of sand, it was noted that Gwynedd Consultancy had not removed sand this year, however, they will try to keep the paths clear over the summer months.   It was added that significant work had been achieved in the past, however there was no budget available to hire machinery for the removal of sand but the Harbour Master would monitor the situation.

 

The Chairman reported that approximately 15-20 tonnes of sand had been removed in the past and discussions were on-going with the Town Council, Shoreline Management Plan and others to resolve the long term problem and consideration would be given to the dunes, marram grass and activities etc.   

 

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

(CH) Harbour Budgets

 

Information was submitted to Members giving a summary of the budgets and they were guided through the headings and attention was drawn to the Harbour income target of £45,100 and £43,637.69 had already been spent with a shortfall of £9,296.91 at the end of February 2016.   

 

Reference was made to the fees and charges that would increase by 1% in 2016/17.  Attention was drawn to the fact that Moorings at Trwyn y Gwaith had been reduced to justify that there was no provision in specific areas of the creek.   

 

The total income target for Harbours was approximately £2m with inflation and the income was 0.70%.

 

It was stressed that the Service was facing a challenging year in terms of budgets / cuts and that only the responsibility for those beaches awarded the Blue Flag Award would fall to the Harbour Service.  

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

(D) Harbour Staff

 

Reported:

 

·         that the Harbour Assistant post had been advertised and the interviews would be conducted soon.

·         That the Harbour Master and the Senior Harbours Officer would be on duty over the Easter holidays.

·         It was trusted that 4 Beach Officers would be appointed for the season.

·         An appeal was made to Members to contact the Harbour Master if there was any anticipated work to be completed or if they had any concern regarding any matter.  

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

 

(E) Natural Resources Wales Consultation

 

Submitted for information, a letter received from Natural Resources Wales regarding a consultation on Special Areas of Conservation for harbour porpoise and proposed new and extended Special Protection Areas for seabirds

 

It was noted as a response to an enquiry that the Service would not be submitting a response.

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

 

(F) Remembrance Service - The Prince of Wales Ferry Boat

 

It was understood that it was proposed to conduct a Remembrance Service for the above tragedy that took place on 22 June 1966 with Dolgellau Town Council leading on this.   The Chair and Vice-Chair of this Consultative Committee had met with Dolgellau Town Council. It was felt that the remembrance plaque should be erected on National Park land.  Concern was expressed regarding the delay in contacting people.

 

In addition, it was felt that two persons namely Mr Ron Davies from Bontddu and Mr Williams from Brithdir who worked for the Council at the time, should be recognised for their bravery in saving the life of a 7 year old boy from the tragedy.     

 

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.