Marine safety audit gives port the thumbs up

Saturday 29 October 2016

An audit report, described as “very encouraging news” has branded Ports of Jersey a “safe and welcoming environment.”

The Port Marine Safety Code audit report is required for all UK harbour authorities and specifically to those directly accountable to improve and maintain the safety of marine operations in harbour waters and its approaches.

It provides nationally agreed standards against which policies, procedures and performance of harbour authorities can be measured and, when fully implemented, reduces the risk of incidents occurring in harbour waters.

Since it first received it in 2012, Ports of Jersey has strived to maintain its compliance with the code, together with the associated safety benchmark for operations within the harbour.

The two-day comprehensive audit was carried out by a UK based Marine and Risk Consultancy, Marico Marine and involved in excess of 12 areas of review; ranging from examinations of safe practice and risk assessments, to conservation of Jersey’s navigational aids throughout territorial waters. 

Inspectors recognised the “obvious step-change in harbour administration” since its last inspection and endorsement in 2012, with special reference to the harbour’s invigorated safety management system. This provides a framework for the Harbour Authority to monitor closely safe working practices across its entire harbour real estate. It also recognised the re-invigorated provision of Vessel Traffic Services and its operators while noting the proficient search & rescue (SAR) service provided by Jersey Coastguard.  

Chairman of Jersey’s Harbour Authority, John Mills, was delighted with the report, saying: “This is very encouraging news and clearly demonstrates our continued compliance and improvement in standards as it supports the central responsibilities passed to the authority following the incorporation of Ports of Jersey in 2015.”  

Ports of Jersey Chief Executive Doug Bannister was equally pleased with the audit report, adding: “This is further endorsement and confirmation of the safe operations in our harbours and territorial waters, which clearly demonstrates that Ports of Jersey provides a safe and welcoming environment to our port users and stakeholders alike.”