Policies and Plans
Pilotage
Newport Harbour Commissioners is the Competent Harbour Authority (CHA) for the Port and Harbour of Newport pursuant to the Pilotage Act 1987 and has powers and duties under the Act. Guidance of these powers is contained in the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC). 11.2 In an agreement dated 9 th December 1998, the Newport Harbour Commissioners arranged for all of their functions relating to pilotage other than their duty under section 2(1) of the 1987 Act to be exercised on its behalf by Associated British Ports.
Newport Harbour Commissioners therefore retain the responsibilities as set out in Section 2(1) of the Pilotage Act 1987.
Section 2(1) of the Pilotage Act 1987 states:
"“Each Competent Harbour Authority shall keep under consideration:
- whether any and, if so, what pilotage services need to be provided to secure the safety of ships navigating in or in the approaches to its harbour; and
- whether in the interests of safety pilotage should be compulsory for ships navigating in any part of that harbour or its approaches and, if so, for which ships and in which circumstances and what pilotage services need to be provided for those ships”.
The Newport Harbour Commissioners and Associated British Ports have established a Pilotage Liaison Sub-Committee with representatives from both these organisations.
The Pilotage Liaison Sub-Committee meets as necessary to overview the responsibilities as set out in Section 2(1) of the Pilotage Act 1987.
Following the first review of this document (reference 2/2003, 1 January 2003) the Newport Harbour Commissioners as a Competent Harbour Authority have, after due consideration and in the interest of port safety with specific reference to the Formal Safety Assessment, Newport (River Usk) and the recommendations as set out in Section 7 (7/11) therein, have on January 1 st 2003 introduced a Compulsory Pilotage system.
PILOTAGE POLICY 1
Newport Harbour Commissioners will, as far as is operationally feasible in accordance with its statutory duties and the guidance given in the P.M.S.C., provide pilotage services for vessels navigating within the Newport Harbour with reference to the Compulsory Pilotage Directions January 1 st 2003.
PILOTAGE POLICY 2
Newport Harbour Commissioners will liaise with Associated British Ports to ensure that sufficient authorised pilots are available to fulfil the responsibilities identified in Section 2(1) of the Pilotage Act 1987.
