port security and permits

[ongolo]

Hi all, some might remember me, I am back for a while.
I have two questions.

1) Here, requested by the americans, immense amounts are spent to imrove port security, which is pointless, because one cannot secure a port. (result of 9/11 and homeland security)

2) Here, the port authority, requires to take out a permit for a high price to do any sort of business in the harbour. For instance an electrician called in to replace a light bulb must take out a yearly permit. (to save you conversion of currencies, the cost is equivalent to 500 loafs of bread,)

According to our constitution, this is illegal here. Do you have a similar system in your country?

Regards to all, thanks still for the support when I was down and out.

Ongolo

 

[mikewilkes]

Good to see you posting again.

 

[Talbot]

Welcome back, good to hear from you again.

 

[BrendanS]

Hi, great to see you back again. Are you back on your feet now?

 

[mirabriani]

Hello again Ongolo

missed your postings

always stimulating

Regards Briani

 

[Shakey]

As far as I'm aware, you don't need to buy a permit to work in any port in the UK. For example, sightseers can walk round the fishing harbours of most sea-side towns.

(though someone will now post an example to prove me wrong!)

You may need to be issued a permit to enter the larger ports or commercial harbours, perhaps the harbour authorities may charge a small fee for the admin work, but nowhere near the 500 loaves (£250?) you state.

Civilians aren't allowed in Naval dockyards unless on previously agreed work business and they're supposed to check on references etc.

Secondly, you can secure a port. It all depends how itchy the government wants your trigger finger to be!

 

[john_morris_uk]

Hi Ongolo. Really good to see you on the forum again. Hope that you are ok.

Regarding ports: most boatyards in UK will try to surcharge you for people coming in and working on your boat. Normally 10% or so of the cost of the job for the "insult of not employing the boatyard themselves to do the work"

Ports are difficult to secure - but not impossible. Ask anyone who tried cruising the northern part of the Black Sea a few years ago...

 

[Shakey]

Yeah, that seems right, a marina or boatyard will charge for 'unapproved' workers, but a harbour or port shouldn't.

To use a crude analogy, it's like putting your car in a garage and getting your own mechanic in or paying for it to stand in the local NCP while the RAC does the work.

BTW...

"Ports are difficult to secure - but not impossible. Ask anyone who tried cruising the northern part of the Black Sea a few years ago..."

Depends whether you were cruising above water or below water from what I've heard. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[ongolo]

Ok thanks all, I was talking about a comercial port.

And as far as port security is concerned, a few fences, people once in possession of a permit can enter without any record being kept, open sea side, tankers and passenger liners coming in, fishing boats with a few 100 tons of diesel (one of the components for making explosives), is nothing more than a nuisance value, from the seaside, zero control, from the shoreside lots of nuisance.

I am especially interested in commerial, that is governernment and local authority controlled harbours.

Sorry, I should have expressed myself better, natuarally a boat yard would not like an outisder to work and be in competition.

And yes, I am on my feet again. I tried and Italian skipper to help me, now that was a disaster, in the end I gave him 5 minutes to get off the boat. I am going to write an article about it. I hope when it is published, you guys are going to believe me. Ever met a skipper who could not open a can of beans with a swiss knife? But that is nothing. You should hear the rest.

regards to all, I may have a few weeks access to the forum

regards, and its nice that somebody remembered me

Thank you all, I was very touched at the time for all the PM I received.

ongolo

 

[ionian]

Hi ONGOLO
The cost of a permit for our local authority port NE UK is £10, to cover the cost of the photo and plastic ID tag.

 

[Peppermint]

Security is something that interests me in regard to ports and yachting.

The modern trend is to introduce legislation and then charge for compliance. Trades in the building industry in the UK for example, have to pay for much needless training on the grounds of "safety". Well the new word to wring the cash out of the compliant is "security".

All ports that engage in international trade are now complying with the ISPS code of IMO. As are the ships that visit them, though some of them are not quite up to speed. Each port now has a published security plan and if it says in the plan that visitors will pay through the nose for a permit to work then so be it.

This situation is unlikely to change for the better.

 

[CodStewart]

Oh god, not on about that bloody Swiss Army knife again! Can't wait to read the article. I'll have you know, that we just opened a bottle of wine with a toothpick. Now, that is manly!
Best of luck with finding a couple to run your boat. If they are monied people and neither require a salary nor food, then Bob will be your uncle!
Again, let us know when and where you will be publishing your great article on the Italian skipper who cannot open a tin of beans!
We look forward to reading it from within Jack Daniels, a boat that is actually in the water!
Ja ne!
Regards,
Maria and Francesco