Responding to the launch of the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency’s latest Port Marine Safety Code Compliance exercise, the British Ports Association encouraged the UK ports industry to participate in the initiative.
Every three years, the MCA asks that the Duty Holders of all UK ports, harbours and other marine facilities to confirm their organisation’s compliance and implementation of the principles and recommendations in UK Government’s Port Marine Safety Code and Guide to Good Practice.
PMSC is applicable to both statutory harbour authorities and to other marine facilities which may not have statutory powers and duties. The Code is endorsed by the UK Government, the devolved administrations and representatives from across the maritime sector and while the Code is not mandatory, these bodies have a strong expectation that all harbour authorities will comply.
Noting the launch, the British Ports Association’s Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne, encouraged port operators of all sizes and types to take part in this upcoming exercise:
“This is an important exercise for UK ports in demonstrating evidence of their own safety performance and also in ensuring the credibility of the Port Marine Safety Code and Guide to Good Practice. With the ever increasing need to have a clear and comprehensive picture of port safety and we strongly encourage all UK ports to take part in this initiative.”
It has been confirmed this week that the deadline for the compliance exercise is 31st March 2018.
