Agenda item

To submit a report by the Senior Harbours Officer.

To note and accept the report.

 

The report was presented by the Senior Harbours Officer and the Barmouth Harbourmaster.

 

Performance Data

 

The report was submitted by the Senior Harbours Officer.

Pride was expressed that the number of moorings contracts in the harbour had increased during the season. In addition, there had been a 10% increase in the number of powerboats registered this season compared to last year.

The on-line registration system that is used to try to save paper was mentioned.

 

Feedback received about Barmouth Harbour

 

It was explained that QR codes can be seen around the harbour so that customers can give feedback on the harbour. It was revealed that there had been an increase in the positive feedback received from the 2023/24 period to this year.

The committee was guided through the positive feedback received, highlighting the fact that the harbour is staffed by a team of young staff. It was noted that they provide the highest quality service, as can be seen from the feedback.

It was reiterated that the new visitor moorings had worked brilliantly, making it easier and safer for visitors to come into the harbour.

 

They then proceeded to discuss the negative feedback received, noting that all feedback was acknowledged and that continuous efforts were being made to improve the harbour.

 

Port and Marine Facilities Safety Code (PMSC)

 

It was noted that this Safety Code outlined the national standard for all aspects of marine safety in ports. It was explained that audits by an external expert were carried out to ensure that the harbour complies with the requirements of the Code. It was added that a new auditor had been appointed.

 

It was recognised that ensuring regular training for staff was a key part of the Code. The Barmouth Harbourmaster was congratulated on successfully completing the Harbourmaster Diploma this year.

The security measures taken were mentioned, emphasising the use of body cameras by staff. It was noted that the introduction of these cameras this year had reduced the number of incidents of abusive behaviour towards staff and offered reassurance in the event of an incident taking place.

It was asked if there had been an incident where the content of the recordings had had to be reviewed to respond further. It was confirmed that North Wales Police had requested recordings from the harbour cameras and CCTV cameras to respond to incidents.

Pride was expressed that no incidents or accidents had been reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch so far this year. It was noted that incidents had taken place, such as a boat catching fire and another boat sinking, but these had not been serious enough to report.

 

Trinity House GLA (General Lighthouse Authority)

 

It was noted that the Council is a registered Local Lighthouse Authority, responsible for ensuring that navigation aids were correctly positioned and working safely along the coast. It was explained that staff assess these regularly to ensure customer safety. It was reiterated that the information from the surveys being carried out was inputted to Trinity House's database. It was confirmed that the previous inspection by Trinity House noted that 95.47% of the harbour Navigational Aids were in good condition.

 

Resources and Budget

 

It was estimated that there was an overspend of around £4,000 in the staffing section caused by sickness and extra hours worked by staff. 

In reference to the budget, it was noted that the harbour estimated an underspend from the budget that had been allocated to the harbour buildings this year, as there had been no need for maintenance work.

It was confirmed that there was a need to revisit the figure noted as expenditure for transport, reiterating that the actual figure was not as high as that which had been noted.

It was also declared that there was an expected overspend on resources and services.

It was emphasised that the table in the report showed estimated figures, so there was a chance that they may change. It was added that these estimates regarding harbour expenditure may change depending on the weather going forward and the damage caused.

It was hoped that the harbour could attract an income of around £55,000, which was higher than the figure noted in the table.

 

It was confirmed that difficulties had arisen in trying to recruit beach staff this year, although these positions had been advertised several times during the year.

 

Other Key Matters

 

It was noted that the service had invested £3500 to purchase a bowser and a jet wash hose on a trailer. It was explained that this equipment enabled staff to clean up areas within the harbour that were previously inaccessible. It was reiterated that this equipment had also been used in Aberdyfi harbour.

 

It was pointed out that Navigation Aid number 2 had been washed ashore following damage to its riser chain. It was ensured that staff acted quickly, and that it was now back on station. It was added that there had been a slight change to its position, but it was hoped that this would be better for the sandbanks in the channel.

 

Update on Operational Matters

 

It was mentioned that the fine weather experienced over the summer had attracted many visitors and boats of all kinds to the harbour. This was welcomed, but the need for customers to use safety equipment such as life jackets and to carry a phone or VHF radio was emphasised. They were proud of the fact that Barmouth Harbour had seen an increase of around 55% in the number of boats that have visited the harbour since last year. 

It was stated that the harbour patrol boat had been well used over the season and was used to assist boats to their moorings, to patrol the coast and explore the navigation channel.

It was noted that the service vehicle had also been used frequently on the beach, but that its condition was now deteriorating because of the challenging environments in which it works. They elaborated on this, noting that the harbour was in discussions with the Council's fleet department to try to replace the vehicle.

It was reported that the All-Terrain Vehicle had been upgraded, which had resulted in it getting more use. 

 

It was mentioned that the harbour had a new drone, which was used to check the navigation channel, to assess the river from the office, as well as to search for missing people on the beach.

It was highlighted that the investments made in equipment over the year had been positive, and this equipment would be used frequently along the coast.

 

Navigation Matters

 

It was confirmed that some of the buoys required an inspection, and it was highlighted that a notice to mariners had been issued to inform them that buoy number 10 was not on station.

 

It was revealed that the impact of sand on the channel was still visible, and this was affecting the access of some customers to the harbour wall. It was noted that several complaints had been received about this.

 

It was explained that customers are required to inform the office when they will be leaving or returning to the harbour, so that they can, for example, be informed of any navigation or weather issues.

 

Specific Matters

 

Attention was drawn to the fact that work was underway to renovate the harbour pontoon, and it was hoped that the work would be completed by March 2026. It was noted that this had not yet been confirmed, but it was reiterated that the harbour had not lost customers due to the lack of a pontoon.

 

Maintenance

 

It was explained that daily, weekly and monthly inspections were carried out by the harbour staff. It was mentioned that a to-do works list was being undertaken for the winter, to address any work that needs to be done.

 

The committee was guided through the Barmouth Harbour events list.

 

Comments arising from the discussion.

 

Concerns were raised about the financial impact the severe weather was having on the harbours' budgets in having to repair any damage. It was emphasised that there were occasions where packages are provided by the Welsh Government to pay for significant damage. It was added that harbour budgets were not usually expected to extend to this, as the department and service within the Council deal with damage to the harbours.

 

It was mentioned that the groynes, which had been specially installed by engineers, had broken and it was asked what was being done to fix this. It was revealed that these groynes came under the responsibility of Gwynedd Consultancy and that the concerns would be passed on to the department.

 

It was further explained about the excellent work of the drones in the harbour – it was reiterated that they were very useful in being able to assess pollution and inspect buoys in a safer way than sending a boat out.

 

Reference was made to the two accessible chairs which are of great use on the beach – the importance of this provision was noted and they hoped to expand this in the future.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

To note and accept the reports.