The Portland Harbour Revision Order 1997

PART III: BERTHING AND MOORING

Provision of proper fenders

18.  The master and the owner of a vessel shall ensure that it is provided with a sufficient number of fenders adequate for the size of the vessel; and, when berthing and leaving or lying at a quay or against other vessels, the master shall cause the vessel to be fended off from that quay or those other vessels so as to prevent damage to that quay, those other vessels or any other property.

Vessels to be properly berthed

19.  The master of a vessel shall at all times keep his vessel properly and effectively moored when berthed or lying at any quay.

Vessels adrift

20.  The master of a vessel which parts from its moorings shall, as soon as possible, report the same to the harbour master.

Access to and egress from vessels

21.  The master and the owner of a vessel (other than a small vessel) while berthed alongside a quay shall provide and maintain a sufficient, safe and proper gangway for the access and egress of all persons having lawful business on the vessel and shall during the hours of darkness provide sufficient lighting to illuminate the whole length of the gangway.

Sufficiency of crew

22.—(1) Except with the permission of the harbour master, the master of a vessel other than a small vessel shall at all times when that vessel is within the harbour ensure that his vessel is capable of being safely moved and navigated and that there are sufficient crew or other competent persons readily available—

(a) to attend to the vessel’s moorings;

(b) to comply with any directions given by the harbour master for the unmooring, mooring and moving of the vessel; and

(c) to deal, so far as reasonably practicable, with any emergency that may arise.

(2) If any contract is entered into to secure compliance with sub-paragraph (1) above by persons other than the vessel’s crew, the name and address of the person with whom the contract is entered into shall be disclosed to the harbour master.

Vessels to be kept in a movable condition

23.—(1) The master of a vessel, other than a small vessel lying at a recognised mooring or anchorage, shall not, except where his vessel is lying aground, take any steps to render his vessel incapable of movement without first notifying the harbour master and, subject as aforesaid, shall at all times keep his vessel so loaded and ballasted and in such condition that it is capable of being safely moved.

(2) Where a vessel is at any time not capable of being safely moved by means of its own propulsive machinery, the master or owner shall inform the harbour master forthwith and give to him any further information which the harbour master may reasonably require.

Use of engines while vessel moored or berthed

24.  The master of a vessel which is moored at a quay or attached to any mooring device shall not permit the engines of his vessel to be worked in such a manner as to cause unnecessary injury or damage to the bed or banks of the harbour or to any other vessel or property.

Vessels not to make fast to unauthorised objects

25.  No person shall make a vessel fast to any post, quay, ring, fender or any other thing or place not assigned for that purpose.

Access across decks

26.  The master of a vessel alongside a quay or alongside any vessel already berthed within the harbour shall, if required so to do by the harbour master, give free access across the deck of his vessel for persons and goods to and from vessels berthed alongside his vessel.

Lost anchor, cable or propeller

27.  The master of a vessel which has slipped or parted from or lost any anchor, chain, cable or propeller shall—

(a) as soon as reasonably practicable give to the harbour master notice thereof and, if possible, of the position of the anchor, chain, cable or propeller and, if the harbour master so directs, shall cause it to be recovered as soon as reasonably practicable;

(b) in the case of an anchor or propeller, leave a buoy to mark the position thereof if this is known.