Newport Harbour Commissioners

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Harbour Master Duties

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Conservancy

The conservancy duties of a Harbour Authority are listed in paragraph 2.1 of the P.M.S.C. as follows:

“A harbour authority has a duty to conserve the harbour so that it is reasonably fit for use as a port, and a duty of reasonable care to see that the harbour is in a fit condition for a vessel to resort to it. The conservancy duty covers several specific requirements:

  1. to sound (and resound as and when opportunity arises) and find the best navigable channel or channels;
  2. to place and maintain navigation marks where they will be of the best advantage to navigation (marked appropriately by day and night);
  3. to keep a ‘vigilant watch’ for any changes in the sea or river bed affecting the channel of channels and move or renew navigation marks as appropriate;
  4. to keep proper hydrographic and hydrological records;
  5. to publish as conspicuously as possible such further information as will supplement the guidance given by navigation marks”.

Harbour Authorities are also:

  1. local lighthouse authorities pursuant to section 201 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (as amended); and
  2. have power to remove wrecks under section 252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and other legislation.

Newport Harbour Commissioners provide the following aids to mark and protect the main navigation channel to Newport:

Newport Harbour Commissioners charge harbour dues on all vessels other than those specifically exempted by the Commissioners.

CONSERVANCY POLICY 1

Newport Harbour Commissioners will continue to provide and maintain and where appropriate update navigation aids to secure the safety of navigation within the Newport Harbour in accordance with its conservancy and local lighthouse duties, the guidance given in the PMSC and the requirements of Trinity House as general Lighthouse Authority.

CONSERVANCY POLICY 2

Newport Harbour Commissioners will fix the local dues having regard to:

  1. the guidance given in the P.M.S.C. and subject hereto;
  2. the need to provide an economic, efficient and effective service;
  3. the need for Newport to remain competitive with other ports.

CONSERVANCY POLICY 3

Newport Harbour Commissioners will ensure that adequate resources are provided to its officials to enable them to operate the policies, procedures and systems effectively, recognising that proper discharge of the authorities duties will otherwise be compromised. This will include adequate resources for training.

CONSERVANCY POLICY 4

Newport Harbour Commissioners will issue Notices to Mariners as required giving information and guidance about matters affecting or likely to affect navigation within the Newport Harbour.

CONSERVANCY POLICY 5

Newport Harbour Commissioners and its Harbour Master will take all reasonable action to remove any wreck or obstruction which is, or might become, a danger to navigation.