Latest News
News Update
18th December 2009
- Mooring Renewal/Application forms for next season have now been sent out to all existing mooring holders and those on the waiting list too. Please make sure your form is returned by 11th January 2010 at the very latest. If you have not received a form in the post by the end of this week please contact the office. Please also let us know if you do not require your mooring next year to enable us to allocate it to someone else as soon as possible.
- Mooring Fees and all other fees will be held at 2009 prices.
- Three more cargoes of wood waste left the Wharf for Sweden on 17th November (MV Delfin), 5th December (MV Westgard) and 18th December (MV Capella).
Appointment of new CE/HM
11th December 2009
Following the announcement in the Annual Report of the intended retirement of John Partridge as Chief Executive it had been decided to combine the roles of CE/HM. Bernie Hetherington will undertake the combined role for the period prior to his intended retirement in April 2011. The Commissioners were therefore looking to appoint a CE/HM designate to work with the current HM for a year before taking over.
After two days of tasks and interviews the Commissioners have made an appointment from a strong list of candidates. The person appointed is Bob Hockham, a Master Mariner currently based in Southampton, who has extensive experience at sea in large and small vessels and ashore in the marine industry. He is actively involved in dinghy sailing and power boating.
He and his wife will be moving to Brightlingsea and he will take up his new role at the beginning of April 2010.
Water Taxi under new management
11th December 2009
The recent advertisement for the sale of the Water Taxi operation has resulted in its purchase by Ian Hunter, a local resident with a yacht in the Harbour.
He has acquired the business, but wishes to use the original vessel ‘Colne Ranger’ which is now owned and is being re-engined by the Commissioners. A much quieter engine! It has been agreed that ‘Colne Ranger’ will be leased to Ian Hunter for all the periods during which he will be operating. The new schedule will be added to the Water Taxi page before the start of the 2010 season.
Wreck House
11th November 2009
The Commissioners are pleased to announce that work has commenced on the renovation of the Wreck House on the Waterside. The transfer from Hampstead Homes to Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners was completed recently and following a successful tendering process the contract has been awarded to Colne Valley Properties, with Colin Willett overseeing the work. Listed Building Consent has been obtained from Tendring District Council and the building will now be restored using materials appropriate to the original construction. The roof will be re-laid and repairs carried out to any rafters which are in poor condition. All of the existing render will be removed, doorways and window openings repaired and returned to their original form. New windows and doors will be fitted. The external walls will then be repaired and coated with lime based render. Part of the existing first floor will be removed to provide a suitable workshop area at ground level while storage will be retained at first floor level. New electrical and plumbing systems will also be installed. The Wreck House will then be used by harbour staff for the maintenance and repair of harbour equipment, a not dissimilar use than that originally intended. The commissioners will maintain the building for the foreseeable future.
On completion the Wreck House will be in better condition than it has been in living memory and will considerably raise the quality of this area of the town. It is also proposed to erect a plaque explaining the historical significance of this building. Landscaping will be carried out when the housing development is completed.
News Update
28th October 2009
- The first cargo of wood waste left the Wharf on October 6th and it is understood that this will be a regular trade.
- A successful prosecution was taken against a person caught speeding on the river. The defendant was fined £150 and ordered to pay costs of £100 plus a standard victim surcharge of £15.
- Both the Leisure and Commercial Advisory Committees have been held recently and were well attended. Lars Ekeroth provided an interesting report on the progress of the Gunfleet Wind Farm.
- The Ferry service ends for the season on 1st November after a successful season which saw the carrying of approx 16,000 passengers between Brightlingsea, Point Clear and East Mersea.
- The Harbour is now working on winter hours and will be manned from 8am until 4pm every day except between Christmas and New Year. NB A rota for manning times between Christmas and New Year will be posted later.
Annual Report of Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners
1st October 2009
This has been a very exciting and productive year for the Commissioners with good progress on, or even resolution of, several important issues. It has also been the first year of life with DONG and the Gunfleet Wind Farm. The development of such a major project in our waters has been a fascinating experience for us all and a steep learning curve for the ‘executive’.
The members of the DONG team and their associated companies have been outstanding in the way they have integrated into the life of the harbour and our small town. They have also brought a substantial economic boost at a time when it was most needed. There had been some concerns about congestion in the harbour and the river but the problems have proved to be less than anticipated because of tolerance and consideration from all sides. There have been some extraordinary vessels in the river which were spectacular when lit at night and attracted many interested spectators.
On the domestic front BHC has also driven a few piles, albeit somewhat smaller than DONG’s, and as a result a fine new set of scrubbing/maintenance posts are in place on the Hard and have been located a little further to the east in order to reduce concerns about the juxtaposition of scrubbing and park & ride activities. There is now a record of the date of installation, depth driven and material used for this new line of posts, something which was lacking for the old posts. Additionally the posts have been moved a little further down the Hard at the request of users. Nothing adverse has been said about them and this might constitute a first for changes on the waterside.
As had been arranged in the s106 agreement attached to the Hampstead Homes development, BHC has now become the proud owner of the Wreck House, the only listed building in the area. With listed building planning permission having been obtained and tender documents for its restoration having been sent out in August, work should commence in November. The building will be thoroughly restored for use as a workshop and store with new windows of appropriate design for its period and lime-washed in a way which emphasises its design. As such it will be an attractive feature at the top of the Hard and a major asset for BHC.
With the cessation of the export of scrap metal and the use of much of its area for offices for DONG and Siemens the Wharf is a very different place, with only a few stone ships using it during recent months. However it is anticipated that a new export trade in wood products will commence shortly.
As with most creeks on the east coast Brightlingsea faces ongoing problems with siltation and this has been particularly noticeable in the Waterside Marina. As part of its management agreement with Hampstead Homes BHC has a responsibility for maintaining the depth of water in the basin and sadly, because of technical problems and various other delays, the pumping out process has been less effective than had been hoped. The pumps installed around the basin are not capable of removing silt which has had the opportunity to settle for several years and new techniques had to be tried. As there is little experience of this particular problem and all work is tide limited progress has been slow, but BHC has now developed what appears to be an effective method and it is anticipated that regular silt reduction in the basin can be achieved. Elsewhere in the harbour it is hoped that a significant programme of dredging can be undertaken.
To date the provision of fuel for Wind Farm vessels has been achieved through Messrs Pontoon Hire’s facilities. However the management related to the long term future of the DONG operation, which will be a minimum of 25 years, are seeking a similarly long term facility. Additionally DONG requires a craneage facility with vehicular access to the water. BHC has been in discussion with DONG and it would appear that the Pioneer Trust has the most suitable land and is supportive of the concept. Enquiries are now proceeding with the relevant agencies and suppliers. If it were possible to achieve a refuelling facility within the harbour it would be immensely beneficial to all harbour users.
Financial
For the period to 31.3.09 the turnover of £555,000 shows a substantial increase on the previous year and the overall result shows a surplus after taxation of £100,000. This excellent outcome was achieved as a result of the absence of the unhelpful special items which had blighted the two previous years and because of the significant income stream related to Wind Farm vessels using the harbour.
Apart from the decline in Wharf related traffic already mentioned, all other income streams are at or above previous levels. The accounts to 31.3.09 can be inspected in the Harbour Office by appointment.
Residents Moorings
There continues to be a waiting list for pontoon moorings despite some larger boats have taken a berth in the Marina. There is now a shortage of moorings for small boats, with all drying maintained moorings occupied and a short waiting list developing.
Visitors
Despite improved weather conditions this year visitor numbers are noticeably lower than in recent years. A range of factors such as high winds and the economic downturn may be the cause. Certainly it is not down to any reduction in the friendly and efficient service offered by staff, which again is recognised and appreciated according to the many comments and letters which have been received.
The water taxi has a new owner, Ray Eggleton, who maintains the service for residents and visitors.
Ferry
This service remains very popular, having carried circa 16,000 passengers with approximately equal numbers to East Mersea and St Osyth Stone. Again the maintenance of the engines, which have heavy use, has been expensive but a continuing future for the Ferry is assured. Peter Fisher remains an enthusiastic IC Ferry supported by an excellent team.
Boat Park/Hard/Jetty
As already mentioned the new posts are in their new position on the Hard. This has led to a wider area of the Hard being used regularly and in turn has meant more of the Hard is free of mud. The mooring of dinghies on the Hard is being rationalised with the provision of new chains.
Docking Solutions who installed the Jetty several years ago have been back to carry out some important adjustments to the flotation tanks. Their fixings are now welded as well as bolted.
The Jetty has been particularly well used this year with the Wind Farm traffic and remains as popular as ever for ‘crabbing’.
This winter the Boat Park will be subject to some reorganisation of the way spaces are marked out and should also have a recycling facility installed in the area now vacated by Messrs MTH which it had been planned to use for that purpose. Unauthorised parking remains a problem although efforts are being made to address it.
Navigation Aids
The buoys and lights have been maintained by staff during the year at a standard up to or above that required by Trinity House. The annual inspection of ground tackle has been undertaken in the last month by Messrs F Hall and Sons with no major defects found. The buoys down-river of Brightlingsea Creek have been confirmed by Halls in their charted positions.
Pilotage
The team of Pilots, ably led by Capt Graham, has been somewhat under occupied for much of the year. Were this to continue it could pose problems in maintaining the Pilots’ level of ‘trips’. It is therefore very good news that a new trade is about to commence as referred to above.
River Patrol
With serious consideration having been given to ways of expanding and improving the River Patrol it was a massive blow to hear in December 2008 that Colchester Borough Council was intending to totally remove its funding for the Patrol. This decision was questioned very seriously at a meeting with the officers concerned and dire warnings given by BHC as to the likely impact for waterside residents up-river and for river users generally if there were to be no patrol and no enforcement of byelaws.
Despite this CBC did withdraw funding but to BHC’s relief Tendring DC came forward with an appropriate level of funding for a Patrol tailored to their needs in the area of Point Clear Bay. With that help BHC has been able to sustain a River Patrol focussed on the lower part of the River Colne. It will be a surprise to no-one with knowledge of the river to learn that there have been many calls from the up river communities about the problems they have experienced. These have all been forwarded to the relevant department in Colchester.
In the lower part of the river the new team on ‘Dracula’ have achieved an excellent result in their efforts to enforce the byelaws and the safety of users under sail or power on the water and some prosecutions are being taken.
Advisory Bodies
Both Advisory Bodies have met twice during the year for advice and comment on BHC activity.
Website
The new BHC website is now up and running and contains details of all the services and facilities provided by BHC with relevant forms available to download. It also contains information about the surrounding area, along with links to tide times and a live weather display. Thanks are due to James Cottis at Twist-ID for all his work on both the design and hosting.
Sail Training Event
The event was once again held in association with the Pioneer Sailing Trust, with sponsorship from the Commissioners, for a period of two weeks and included pupils from Colne Community School as well as several of the local junior schools. The enthusiasm of the participants was outstanding and made the whole event very rewarding.
Staff
As in past years the commitment of all members of staff has remained high and with it the level of appreciation expressed by both residents and visitors alike. Particular mention must be made of Ian Cole/Richie Jacobs/Chris Scott and Gary Humm as permanent members of staff and of Neil Baldry/Tony Bragg/Pauline Coupland/Owen Evans/Peter Fisher/Karl Glover/Peter Harry/Felicity Moy/Nigel Taylor and Tony Williams in their various roles and activities in the Harbour. The new members of staff have fitted in very well and are now established as part of an excellent team. In the office Myrna Ekeroth and Caroline Shotton have worked hard to continually upgrade the administration and have provided an excellent front of house presence. The Commissioners thanks are given to all staff for their commitment and work during the year.
This is a report which I write with mixed feelings. For some time my retirement has been an item of discussion and it has now been agreed that I will retire at the end of March 2010, so this is my final report.
The structure of management is to be altered to be more in line with other Trust Ports around the country of the size of Brightlingsea. The two positions of CE and HM will be combined, with a new post of Deputy Harbourmaster being established later. In the interim period Bernie Hetherington will be the CE/HM and the new ‘CE/HM designate’ will have a year working with him in order to build up the knowledge and experience needed for this very demanding role. At the end of that time Bernie will retire in order to pursue other activities.
When I succeeded John Pitt in April 1998 I had not expected to be involved for as many years nor for BHC to grow in the way it has. In the event the 12 years have been enjoyable and challenging in equal measure and working with a splendid team of such interesting people has been a rewarding experience.
For 8 years I have ended the Annual Report by expressing my thanks to Bernie for his outstanding contribution to the operation of the harbour. I do that again this year, but would add what a tremendous pleasure it has been to share an office and so many varied experiences with him. I think it is fair to say we have both found it to be a real pleasure with never a dull moment. There were some problems we could have well done without and the fact that we managed never to both be ‘down’ at the same moment was a great benefit. We are constantly surprised how two people who have a very different approach to quite a lot of issues can achieve such unanimity of decision!
As chairman Roger Robertson has again increased his involvement and has made a particular contribution in relation to the proposed restoration of the Wreck House and all other Commissioners have played their part in a successful year.
John Partridge
17.9.09
