Harbours Advisory Committee

5 March 2025

Monitoring and review of the Marine Safety Plan

For Review and Consultation

Cabinet Member and Portfolio:

Cllr J Andrews, Place Services

Local Councillor(s): All Councillors

Executive Director:

Jan Britton, Executive Lead for Place

Report Author: Ed Carter

Job Title: Dorset Harbours Manager & Weymouth Harbour Master

Tel: 01305 838493

Email:	ed.carter@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Report Status: Public Choose an item.

Brief Summary:

At the Harbours Advisory Committee meeting on 8 December 2022 the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment approved the Dorset Council Harbours Marine Safety Plan (Appendix 1). The Marine Safety Plan is a requirement of the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) and identifies and prioritises necessary improvements to achieve full PMSC compliance. The plan sets out actions and a timetable for delivery and is to be monitored at Harbours Advisory Committee meetings, and in doing so, progress against the plan will be publicly reported.

Recommendation:

Review report and comment upon progress.

Reason for Recommendation:

Monitoring and reviewing the Marine Safety Plan regularly will help ensure that Dorset Council’s harbours are compliant with the Port Marine Safety Code. The Marine Safety Plan supports strategic goal number one of the Dorset Councils Harbours Strategy: to maintain safe working harbours and provide high quality infrastructure and facilities.

Financial Implications

There are financial considerations with the ongoing work in the harbour which includes ensuring compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code. These are managed through the routine Committee budget setting and monitoring processes.

Natural Environment, Climate & Ecology Implications

There are no climate implications linked to the subject of this report. However, the Harbours aim to meet the targets of the Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy. Adopted by Dorset Council in July 2021, the Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy sets out a framework for action to become a carbon neutral Council and the direction of travel needed for a County-wide approach. Harbours have an important role in helping to deliver some of the goals set out within the strategy and will aim to reduce their carbon footprint in line with that of other Council Services.

Well-being and Health Implications

There are no wellbeing and health implications resulting from the subject of this report. However, established safety management systems at the harbours support the ongoing health and well-being of harbour users and harbour employees.

Other Implications

None

Risk Assessment

HAVING CONSIDERED: the risks associated with this decision; the level of risk has been identified as:

Current Risk: Low

Residual Risk: Low

Equalities Impact Assessment

There are no equalities impact issues resulting from the subject of this report.

Appendices

Appendix 1 Dorset Council Harbours Marine Safety Plan 2025-2028

Background Papers

None

Report Sign Off

This report has been through the internal report clearance process and has been signed off by the Director for Legal and Democratic (Monitoring Officer), the Executive Director for Corporate Development (Section 151 Officer) and the appropriate Portfolio Holder(s).