Harbour Facts
Definition of a Harbour
There are 433 “Official” harbours in the UK* and 45 major ports and harbours in Ireland. These are run by bodies known as “Statutory Harbour Authorities” (SHA).
They are responsible for the management and running of a harbour and have powers granted by an Act of Parliament.
There are three main types of UK harbour ownership:
– 185 are Private including Commercial ownership
– 170 Municipal (e.g. Council owned)
– 76 are Trust Ports
– One is a Community Interest Company and one a Community Benefit Society.
* Department for Transport
What is a Harbour Master?
A Harbour Master is an official responsible for ensuring the safely of all harbour users.
A more official definition is the person responsible for ensuring compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code.
A more simple definition is The Boss!
Currently, there are no mandatory qualifications to hold the position of Harbour Master.
In common practice, the Harbour Master is normally qualified to a level equivalent to that of a Master of the largest ship to visit the port
In my experience, a Harbour Master is there to welcome any visitor to their harbour…. and it often helps if you tell them you are coming!
How many Harbours Masters are there?
Nobody knows. I am hoping to find out. My guess is about 300 in UK and Ireland. I have met 207.
Not all harbours have a Harbour Master. Many HMs run more than one harbour.
There are Deputy Harbour Masters, Assistant Harbour Masters, Port Marine Officers, Mooring Officers, Berthing Officers, Volunteer Harbour Masters and self appointed Harbour Masters!
My definition has been if they are mentioned in either Reeds Almanac or uk-ports.org.
Some ferry companies have their own HM.
There is even a British Harbour Master in The Falkland Islands….. now there’s a thought!
What does a Harbour Master do?
Well the poster in Eyemouth sums up the job quite nicely for a medium sized fishing harbour.
The fact is every harbour is different so every HM’s job is different. Here is a list from the UKHM Association:
- Manage port marine safety
- Produce port marine policies, plans, procedures and systems using structured methodology
- Review powers conferred by national legislation and local regulation
- Develop and operate marine enforcement policy
- Report and Investigate Marine Incidents
- Determine the need for a port pilotage service
- Operate a safe and efficient pilotage service
- Determine the need and scope of port vessel traffic services
- Manage Port Vessel Traffic
- Manage conservancy
- Manage other marine activities
- Plan for and manage port emergencies and periods of disruption
- Manage the port marine environmental status
- Manage port security
- Manage marine employee workplace health and safety
- Manage marine employees
- Contribute to port management
History of Harbours
The history of harbours is a large subject.
During my travels I have come across references to the Phoenicians visiting British harbours.
The Thames has remains of Roman quays.
The Cinque Ports date back to the 11th Century.
Henry VIII incorporated Trinity House in 1514.
Victorians such as Telford and Stevenson were responsible for buildings numerous harbours which still stand today.
You will find many references to harbour history in my posts.