CODE OF CONDUCT FOR HARBOUR USERS
Seahouses Harbour is a working harbour from which fishing and passenger vessels, dive boats, pleasure boats and the RNLI operate. It is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty and is within easy reach of the Farne Islands, many bird and marine habitats and diving sites. It provides a living for many and recreation for others; commercial, pleasure and environmental interests must work together.
North Sunderland Harbour, its formal name, is managed by North Sunderland Harbour Commissioners. As a Trust Port, the Commissioners manage the Harbour for the benefit of users and the local community. Safety, efficient use of Harbour facilities – it is a working harbour – together with protection of the environment and balancing the interests of the different types of harbour users are the Commissioners’ key aims.
This Code of Conduct applies to all Harbour users: commercial and leisure. It does not replace or override the Harbour Bye-Laws, the North Sunderland Harbour Order (S.R.A.O. 1931/928), any of the legislation that governs the use of ports and related maritime and environmental issues. As a Code of Conduct it does not in itself have statutory force, but it highlights statutory provisions relating to use of the Harbour and sets out the Commissioners’ requirements for the way in the Harbour is to be used.
Use of Harbour services and facilities, including (but not limited to) berthing, mooring and use of the Launching Facility, is subject to users complying with this Code. The Commissioners “have power to make the use of services and facilities provided by them subject to such terms and conditions as they think fit … “, (s. 40, Harbours Act 1964).
This Code of Conduct is provided as a service to the Harbour Community – to all who use or visit the Harbour in any way. The Commissioners expect the Code will develop over time, as the use of the Harbour, and the law, change. The Commissioners welcome feedback on the Code and will update it as necessary. It is available on the Commissioner’s website, along with the Bye-Laws and other information. See: www.northsunderlandharbour.org.
The Harbour Master, and his deputies, have a duty to manage the harbour on behalf of the Commissioners. The Bye-Laws make it an offence to “obstruct, interrupt, hinder, threaten or insult the Harbour Master in the execution of his duty”. The Commissioners will enforce this if required.
Mr J Dawson
Chairman, North Sunderland Harbour Commissioners
Captain C P Brabban
Harbour Master
Harbour Office, Harbour Road, Seahouses, Northumberland, NE68 7RN
01665 720 033 | 07950 556 427 | nshc@btconnect.com
Image: Plan showing area of Responsibility of the Harbour
DEFINITIONS "Harbour" means the water within the statutory limits of the Commissioners (see map above), both inside and outside the breakwaters and, where relevant, the harbour estate owned, leased or controlled by the Commissioners.
"Commercial vessels" means vessels in any form of commercial use, including RIBs.
NOTICES Notices are also displayed at the Harbour Office and on the Commissioner's website:www.nsh.org.uk
Notices and directions from the Harbour Master, which may in some cases temporarily override the contents of this Code, may be posted on the Harbour Office noticeboard and, if possible, on the Commissioners' website.
HARBOUR MASTER
"No person shall obstruct, interrupt, hinder, threaten or insult the Harbour Master in the execution of his duty." Bye-Law 2.
"The Master or other person in charge of any vessel within the Harbour shall obey the orders of the Harbour Master as to the berthing, mooring, or unmooring, or removal of such vessel,..." Bye-Law 7.
"...any master of a vessel who, after notice of any such direction by the harbour master served upon him shall not forthwith regulate such vessel according to such direction shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale." S. 53 Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847.
COMMUNICATIONS
Tel: 01665 720 033 Mobile: 07432 134 808
Fax: 01665 721 734 Email: nshc@btconnect.com
HARBOUR DUES & OTHER CHARGES
EMERGENCIES & RNLI
1. The RNLI uses the Launching Facility and must be given precedence. The Launching Facility must never be blocked so as to restrict emergency access.
LAUNCHING & RECOVERY
ENTERING & LEAVING HARBOUR
1. The master of all vessels entering the Harbour shall notify the Harbour Master of any special circumstances on VHF Channel 8.
2. "All vessels coming into the Harbour shall be subject to the control of the Harbour Master as to the place for mooring or anchoring; " Bye-Law 3.
NAVIGATION
1. All vessels must comply with the Collision Regulations, exercise good seamanship and navigate with consideration for other Harbour users and the protection of the environment.
2. The speed limit inside the Harbour is 3 knots
3. Small craft must give way to larger vessels that may be constrained by their draft and restricted in their ability to manoeuvre when using the channel from the Pier-End to the Outer Breakwater to enter or depart from the Harbour.
4. All vessels must be manned by competent crew. Vessels that are required by law to be manned by certified crew must be manned by sufficient crew holding the necessary certificates.
5. Lights, including lasers, must not be used within the Harbour limits, whether afloat or ashore, that may impede safe navigation or cause confusion with navigation lights.
6. It is an offence to operate a vessel whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs: Railways and Transport Act 1983.
7. The master of any vessel involved in a collision, grounding, fire or other incident must report the incident to the Harbour Master.
8. The master of any vessel using the Harbour whose safety or seaworthiness is compromised must (A) notify the Harbour Master and (B) not use the vessel until the problem has been rectified.
ANCHORING
No vessel shall "anchor so as to impede traffic within the Harbour". Bye-Law 3.
BERTHING - GENERAL
1. "All vessels coming into the Harbour are subject to the control of the Harbour Master as to the place for mooring." Bye-Law 3.
BERTHING - INNER HARBOUR
BERTHING - RIBs
1. RIBs are not permitted to berth in the Inner Harbour, for safety reasons.
PASSENGER EMBARKATION & DISEMBARKATION
LEISURE CRAFT
9.Leisure craft are permitted to use the Outer Harbour, including the Pier-End Steps for embarkation and disembarkation of passengers and loading and unloading of goods. However, commercial vessels shall have priority at the Steps.
ANGLERS
Anglers must comply with all applicable closed seasons and quotas.
FUEL & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
LOADING & DISCHARGING OF GOODS
The master or agent of every vessel loading or unloading cargo shall give an accurate account of the cargo handled to the Harbour Master.
CONDUCT ON THE QUAYS AND PIERS
EQUIPMENT
REGULATIONS & MARINE NOTICES (M NOTICES)