A brief insight into the Role of a Harbour Master, Peter Haddock.
The Harbour Master has day-to-day responsibility for managing the safe operation of navigation and other marine activities in the harbour and it’s approaches. In many cases the post holder normally comes from the Royal or Merchant Navy and is suitably qualified with sufficient experience for the role. He / she must also be competent to undertake other relevant duties particularly in relation to the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Merchant Shipping and national legislation.
Whilst the specific role of the Harbour Master will vary dependant on the size and type of the harbour, port authorities, as with all businesses, are expected to engage with their stakeholders in an open, honest, and transparent manner. Working in the port environment inevitably brings the Harbour Master into contact with the wider community and in the case of Hayle harbour although the harbour master has the powers to exercise jurisdiction over the use of the estuary– there is a requirement to understand and consider the needs or concerns of the townsfolk on the use of the harbours navigable area and the impact it may have on the wider community.
Not only commercial fishing vessels make use of Hayle; Recreational fisherman, diving clubs, rowing clubs, tour boat operators, visiting yachtsmen and Public must all be consulted. Conflict may often arise between those pursuing different activities therefore the harbour master has an important role engaging with interest groups, resolving such issues, and ensuring the safety of all harbour users
Leisure activities can take many forms, on the estuary and is increasing annually as are other organised aquatic events. Therefore, the Harbour Master has to mitigate the risks associated with those events and the daily use of the harbour through the application of safety management principles and risk assessment.
However, private, and irregular use of the harbour for recreation is difficult to monitor and control. Therefore, like many harbours Hayle now uses it’s websites and social media to promulgate safety information to it’s users such as zoning of activities to separate swimmers from other waterborne / harbour activities that may occasionally require prohibiting access to some areas which is achieved through local regulation.
However, the main aim and focus of the harbour authority has to be on community engagement and finding a harmonious method for the co-existence of recreational activities public use and harbour operations.
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