Category: Peel Ports

Sheerness Port Master Plan

Sheerness marinaPeel Ports are holding consultations on Sheppey for their master plan which includes a marina at Sheerness. See http://peelports.com/sheerness-master-plan

Option 1 of the Plan proposes “reclaiming 125 hectares of land directly off the existing shore line of Garrison Point. Some 71 hectares of this reclaimed land will be for operational port use, whilst the remaining 54 hectares will comprise a mixed use development incorporating a marina. A heritage boulevard is also included within this proposal.”

The overall consultation period for the Sheerness Port Master Plan is from 5 November – 17 December 2014. The exhibition will be held as follows:

  • Thursday 13 November 2014, 9.30am – 1.00pm – Sheppey Gateway
  • Friday 14 November 2014, 9.30am – 1.00pm – Eastchurch Village Hall
  • Friday 14 November 2014, 3.30pm – 7.30pm – Sheppey Gateway
  • Saturday 15 November, 9.30am – 1.00pm – Sheppey Gateway

Demolition started at Kingsnorth Power Station

Kingsnorth Power Station
Photo Wikipedia

Not the chimney, at least not yet! E.ON have not published dates for demolition of the two power station chimneys but Peel Ports Notice to Mariners No 31 defines an exclusion zone 250 metres from the foreshore on Thursday evening from 18:00 to 19:40, when the demolition event will occur, followed by an all clear siren. The river will remain open to navigation.

Port operator fined following deaths of tug crew

Clydeport Operations Ltd, owned by Peel Ports, have been fined £650,000 for health and safety breaches after the deaths of three tug crewmen. Tug operator Switzer was also fined £1.7m.

In December 2007 the Flying Phantom was one of three tugs assisting the 70,000 tonne cargo ship Red Jasmine as it made its way along the River Clyde. In thick fog, the Flying Phantom called the ship to say they had grounded and the pilot instructed the tug to let go the line. However, the line came taut and the tug was pulled over and capsized – a situation known as “girting”.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency found that there were shortcomings in the application of the Port Marine Safety code in that neither the company secretary, nor the operations/human resources director, received training to adequately fulfil their role as the designated person with responsibility to ensure health and safety. Nevertheless a spokesman for Peel Ports has told the MSBA that no causal link was established between these health and safety breaches and the fatal incident.

Sunken vessel in East Swale

Max Taylor, Peel Ports Deputy Harbour Master, says this was reported yesterday by a passing yachtsman. The vessel has sunk close to No 1 buoy near the scrubbing dock. He thinks it is the rather fine looking traditional blue painted “Scottish” trawler with whale back covering the fo’c’sle, which has been there over a year. She is not in the channel, but boaters should be aware. Masts are visible at half tide.

NtoM 28 of 2014 – Sunken Vessel East Swale

Medway yachts damaged by dredger in fog

Fourteen yachts moored outside Medway Yacht Club were struck and some were badly damaged on Sunday morning by a dredger in thick fog. Fortunately no-one was on board but on the south side of the river two MYC members, who had been sleeping on board their boat, were woken by the incident and reported what happened.

See eye-witness account and photos on YBW East Coast forum

Arco Arun track

The AIS track shows that the 98 metre dredger Arco Arun went to the north side of the river on its passage downstream just after 06.30 BST doing 6.6 knots.

Max Taylor, Deputy Harbour Master, informs us that MV Arco Arun has submitted a report to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and Peel Ports will conduct an internal investigation in addition to reporting to the MAIB. Peel Ports has offered support to MYC and a representative from the vessel operator has been on site.