Policy & PMSC
The Bristol Port Company, as the Statutory Harbour Authority for the Port of Bristol, complies with the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC). The PMSC has been developed to improve safety in UK ports and to enable harbour authorities to manage their marine operations to nationally agreed standards. It provides the standard against which the policies, procedures and the performance of harbour authorities can be measured. It also describes the role of board members, officers and key personnel in relation to safety of navigation and summarises the main statutory duties and powers of harbour authorities.
As required by the PMSC, The Bristol Port Company operates an effective marine safety management system based on formal risk assessments covering navigation, port craft, and personnel.
The byelaws apply to all parts of the Port of Bristol, and to all persons and vessels using the harbour or within the harbour premises; a specific section applies to pleasure craft and recreational activities within the harbour. The purpose of these byelaws is to support the management and regulation of marine operations and navigation at the Port of Bristol, and includes rules governing the conduct of vessel Masters.
The byelaws apply to all parts of the Port of Bristol, and to all persons and vessels using the harbour or within the harbour premises; a specific section applies to pleasure craft and recreational activities within the harbour. The purpose of these byelaws is to support the management and regulation of marine operations and navigation at the Port of Bristol, and includes rules governing the conduct of vessel Masters.
The policies enshrined within the Marine Management Policy meet the standards required by the Port Marine Safety Code and Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (ISO 9001).
The Marine Reporting Procedures detail the procedure for reporting incidents, accidents, defects and any events from which a safety lesson can be derived. These reports can be completed by any member of staff or Harbour User and are managed through a reports database. All actions in response to the initial report are recorded, and the form closed only when all relevant response actions have been completed.
The Bristol Port Company (TBPC) delivers the guidance of The Port Marine Safety Code through the Marine Department Quality Manual, which incorporates a Marine Safety Management System. The manual is structured around the hierarchy of Legislation, Regulation, Policies, Safety Management, Procedures and Instructions covering all functions and activities of the Marine Department.
One component of this Manual is this Safety Plan, which articulates the TBPC’s commitment to safety.