Marine Navigation Bill

[Aries]

I found a copy of Hansard (not something to be read lightly) on a train seat. Having never read this daily missive before I scan read through it and found reference to a Marine Navigation Bill that is before Parliament. One section that concerned me is reproduced below. Is this something we should be aware of and concerned about?
Does anyone know more about the intentions of this Bill?


“Harbour closure orders
17A Power to make order
(1) In this section—
(a) “the underlying purpose” means the purpose of permitting or
requiring harbour authorities to cease to maintain harbours
which are no longer commercially viable or necessary,
(b) “closure order” means an order made by the Secretary of State
under this section in respect of a harbour, and
(c) “the harbour authority” in relation to a harbour means any
harbour authority which has statutory duties to manage,
maintain or improve the harbour.
(2) The Secretary of State may make a closure order, but only—
(a) on the application of the harbour authority,
(b) with the consent of the harbour authority, or
(c) if the Secretary of State has consulted the harbour authority and
is satisfied that they are unlikely to object.
(3) The Secretary of State shall publish guidance about the circumstances
in which a closure order will be made; the guidance—
(a) must require the Secretary of State to have regard to the
underlying purpose, and
(b) must be reviewed and (if appropriate) revised from time to
time.

 

[Flossdog]

Am sure that the RYA legal team have it in hand. Why not email them (if you are a member)?

 

[GrahamM376]

I watched/heard commons discussion on the bill the other day. It generated such interest that IIRC there were only 9 MPs in the house

One of them read out some submissions from the RYA and there will be more discussions on various points at committee.

 

[Searush]

Sounds like a cut price way of closing down harbours that are losing money. IIRC it requires an act of parliament to set up or close a harbour.

That section just sounds like an easy peasy way of shutting down a harbour authority that has passed its sell by date. It won't actually shut the harbour but will remove any responsibility for maintaining it or employing an HM or providing nav aids. Possibly a good opportunity for a local club to take over on a voluntary basis.

 

[oldharry]

If it is something to be worried about then the RYA will most definitely be on to it.

A Harbour Authority has powers and responsibilites under a range of different Acts, which include obligations to maintain the harbour and its navigation marks.

I read this as a revision of the procedure when a harbour authority wants to pack up and has applied for its harbour order to be revoked, releasing the former harbour Board/Owner from it's legal obligations.

 

[AndrewB]

Only a conspiracy theorist would read too much into this one.

As a conspiracy theorist myself, might I suggest it's a means to privatise harbours and then squeeze the pips out of their users (as in: "rend commercially viable")? Yachties beware.

 

[Joker]

it's a means to privatise harbours and then squeeze the pips out of their users (as in: "rend commercially viable")? Yachties beware.

They were privatised by the Thatcher government.

 

[AndrewB]

Not my local one, which is anxiously seeking privatisation so it can legally become profit-making. Up to now at least it has needed an Act of Parliament to do so.

I believe there are still about 20 trust ports and a number of municipal authority ports, not privatised. These include some of the largest UK ports. Unsuprisingly the present government is keen to grease the tracks. This parliamentary briefing paper may be of interest.

 

[Tomahawk]

The Port of Dover is enacted under the same legislation as Maldon. Both are harbour authorities with the same statutory duty Etc. The only commercia traffic in Maldon these days is the collection of Thames Barges doing charter trips.

In reality the "port" has ceased to function as a such but the Authority has a statutory duty to remain in existance.. Whilst it is not clear who would provide the few navigation marks that exist, if it is wund up, the is little value in the "Authority" per say..

 

[Storyline]

This had its third reading yesterday and was passed.

I am not in a competent position to comment but I assume the RYA are keeping an eye on it .....

 

[penfold]

You could share your view on the subject with the RYA here; giving harbourmasters this kind of power doesn't seem very sensible. Do they need to be able to do this?

 

[penfold]

Disappointing lack of response here, especially given the carp that gets dissected to death in the lounge; does no-one care?

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Disappointing lack of response here, especially given the carp that gets dissected to death in the lounge; does no-one care?

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=340134

Also posted in the above thread called "RYA Wants Your Views"

 

[penfold]

'RYA wants your views' is a spectacularly vague title, but fair enough.

 

[penfold]

Might be better to contact the Lord of your choice as it's due for the 2nd reading in the House of Lords shortly (it's already been through the House of Commons so your MP has had his chance - unless the Lords propose amendments it is unlikely MP's will object before it becomes law).

Lord Selsdon is the secretary of the House of Lords Yacht Club, Lord Greenway often speaks on behalf of the RYA and Baroness Miller is a member of the North Devon Yacht Club; pick one of them. I suppose you could pick any lord really, but those are the obvious ones to contact about a leisure boating issue. Write to the Lords.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

'RYA wants your views' is a spectacularly vague title, but fair enough.

Yes it is.

 

[FWB]

Yes it is.

Well sorry about that. Lots of peeps on here complain that the RYA are a useless bunch who don't care about them. I thought it would be of interest.
I also posted it on the who speaks for the boating community thread.

 

[Nostrodamus]

Doors shut and bolted horses come to mind.
Why didn't the RYA ask for opinions earlier as they have been in meetings about this bill for sometime and have drafted amendments.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Well sorry about that. Lots of peeps on here complain that the RYA are a useless bunch who don't care about them. I thought it would be of interest.
I also posted it on the who speaks for the boating community thread.

Sorry, I wasn't intentionally criticising you, thanks for posting this. Because of your thread I have cross posted to BlueMoment and they have responded as well. If it wasn't for your thread I would not have been aware of this.

Thanks, BlowingOldBoots.

 

[FWB]

Sorry, I wasn't intentionally criticising you, thanks for posting this. Because of your thread I have cross posted to BlueMoment and they have responded as well. If it wasn't for your thread I would not have been aware of this.

Thanks, BlowingOldBoots.

I got an email from the RYA, as did many others, and wanted to get the info out quickly. Unfortunately you can't edit the title or add an icon once posted.
If you wish to start another thread with a more punchy title and warning triangle then I shall not be offended.
It's the message that is important. Very important.
It really should be a sticky !