Poole Harbour Watch

Minutes of meeting 20th September 10.00 – 11.45 Held at Poole Yacht Club Attendees: Jim Macgregor Chair, Paul Cutts Vice Chair (Parkstone Yacht Club), Dave Brown (Dorset Police), David Campbell (PHC), Warren Pym (PHC), Keith Colwell (NHYC), Gary (Rev) & Jane Revell (Rev’s Water Taxi), Pete Zambuni (Border Force), Jordan Gammon (Border Force), Bernadette Cherowbrier Treasurer & Lilliput SC, Frauke Fege (Lilliput SC), Jenny Jackson (Cobb’s Quay) , Sue Sieger (PHW), Andrew Symmington (RMYC), Jim Atkins (Christchurch SC), David Groom (Christchurch SC), Alan Jones (MVS), Shirley Cousins (PHW),

1. Apologies: Keith Askew, Yvonne Hall, Mike Jones (Poole YC), Jacky Hardy (PHW), Sam Dell (SIFCA), Dave Mayne (SIFCA), David Sidwick (PCC), Adrian Lowes
2. Minutes of Meeting 1st March 2021 were reviewed and approved.
3. Matters arising Action 1 Studland Bay MCZ – Howard Davidson, Poole YC and contributor to the responses given to Marine Management Organisation (MMO), joined the meeting. Action 2 Adrian Lowes has produced guidance on reporting incidents. This will be rolled out before next season. Thank you to Adrian.
4. MMO consultation on Studland Bay MCZ Howard Davidson joined the meeting to give an overview of the current position. Howard has been part of the group responding to the MMO’s consultation on behalf of Poole YC. He has a good knowledge of the background to the MCZ being identified and the current position put forward by the MMO. Howard gave the group the background history to the United Nations position in wanting to achieve a 30% increase in conservation of special areas by 2030 (BLUE Belt Programme) Studland was identified as a MCZ in 2019 as part of 91 identified zones around the country after an assessment of special features including sea grass and Long Snouted Seahorse. There are concerns that the area within the Zone that anchoring and mooring of boats is causing damage to seabed, eel grass and species this supports. Actions identified by MMO were – No action
   • Ban all anchoring
   • Install Eco moorings and Voluntary no anchoring Zone There have been several public meetings with input across the range, the MMO have taken in feedback information and the latest position is that there are two areas which Howard showed on a chart. Zone B will have a voluntary no anchoring from 17.12.21 and zone c with have voluntary no anchoring from 1st June 2022. The MMO will monitor the use and have issued licences for 100 Eco Moorings. 10 Eco moorings have already been put in through a collaboration of the Seahorse Trust and Boat Folk, a commercial marina company.

There is a current Consultation on this until 29.09.21 details can be found on the MMO website. Concerns have been raised – The MMO could issue licenses for private moorings which could prevent current boatowners access to Studland Bay The current Eco moorings only take boats up to 10 Tons and there are many larger boats which use Studland Bay. Current Eco moorings are a long way out from Beach area and are exposed to wind thus Reducing shelter of the Bay for boats. Smaller boats would not want to be or feel safe so far out. The inshore area has some depths of .5 &.3 at LAT so even eco mooring could be a challenge. It has been stated that boats seeking safe shelter could do so, but it was felt by the group that this could be subjective. JM thanked Howard for his informative update of the current position.

5. Police report DB reported the Roan Doyle is no longer with Dorset Police. His vacant post is due to be advertised shortly. There has been some concern that the Police RIB has not been used often but the Unit involved also covers inshore so there are issues with resources. The crime figures on the water have been identified as: 2020 15 thefts 5 Criminal Damage 19 ASB 2021 to date 16 thefts 7 Criminal damage 12 ASB Recently 2 people arrested after collaborative working of PHC, RNLI and police. Ops Seagoing has been a Multiagency approach including police, fisheries, MVS, RNLI and PHC to reducing crime and ASB targeting PWC and smaller boats. Over a few days 200 people were engaged at launching slip on Baiter. A lot of people have very little or no knowledge of rules and regulations at see and the Police and PHC working to improve knowledge. During the Summer between 500-600 people has been approached. There has been a reduction in workforce which has impacted on some cover. There still appears to be a demand for certain items mainly outboards so theft of these has increased. It is advised that all equipped is marked and a postcode gives a better chance of returning stolen goods to owners. Op Seagoing has been viewed at Parliamentary level and DB has given evidence to Ministers. There are possible changes to the MSA to incorporate PWC In a recent Court Case it was found that a PWC was not a vessel therefore leaving a loophole in law. Paperwork for this will be on the Government website from November. JA asked about the remit of the Council boats at Christchurch. DB reported that this is covering increased area along coast and does have remit to take issues forward. (Rev) reported lack of illumination on PWC. There are concerns that PWC do not have lights at night and are often about after dark. DB and DC urged that this be report to PHC straight away. DB reported that there is a strengthening of partnership working which is beneficial. The is a turnover of staff resulting in an increased training role to improve awareness of water-based crime.

6. PHC update on harbour patrols and surveillance. DC commenced role as the second Patrol officer in March following career in the Police force. The Patrol Officers have been spending time on education for users new to the water. The hut at Baiter has reopened weekends and Bank Holidays and opportunity taken to educate the public on Bye Laws of the harbour. There has also been a noticeable increase in self- policing by the public. It has become calmer as the season has progressed. There have been increased issues at the launching slips at both Rockley and Salterns and it has been difficult to enforce things once craft are in bay and along seafront.

The PHC have two craft available, Vixen the old RNLI in shoe RIB and a Jet ski. There is a presence of the MVS vessels also. DC reported that it was important that all incidents on water be reported into PHC so that evidence can be established. There are increased late on- water shifts which has identified incidents. PHC are awaiting planning permission to replace the hut at Baiter with one which will have power and this will be able to house a camera to cover the lower end of the harbour. If incidents are witnessed call PHC on channel 14 or call 01202 440230. It is recommended to have the number stored in the mobile for quick access. PC reported that Parkstone YC had noticed a difference in on water behaviours when the surveillance had been in place and with the increase of patrols.

7. Consul updates Alan Jones – Maritime Voluntary Service Reported some restrictions in availability over past 12 months as all are volunteers and current situation had an impact. Also, some loss of vessels with one currently being refurbished and losing use of a large RIB. The service is raising funds to replace the RIB and have been applying for grants. The first function of the Service is training in maritime matters. The service has been involved with policing at the bridges and having been working closely with PHC. Orange tabards are worn to identify them as safety boats and this helps with public interaction. Mike Jones – Poole YC He will be working to fill the night watch rota from the end of September to include running launch patrols if possible. Sam Dell -Southern IFCA No significant changes to fisheries management within the Harbour, we have been partnership working with the Marine Policing Team targeting illegal Handgathering activity at low water which has been in local press. We have recently procured a Drone and again have been working with PHC and Policing partners in relation to ASB, we have continued to patrol the Harbour afloat both day and night throughout the pandemic, please reassure members that if we see anything suspicious, we do investigate and work with the police. If members have any concerns regarding illegal fishing activity, please contact us on 01202 721373. We have also updated our website this year Welcome To Southern IFCA : Southern IFCA.(southern-ifca.gov.uk) David Groom/Jim Atkins -Christchurch SC Night Patrols take place every evening whenever possible. This is whilst boats are on moorings. Generally okay on the water. Aware of one theft in season where some youngsters broke into a boat. DB was aware of a couple of thefts and some youngsters shooting at boats. Keith Colwell – North Heaven YC There was an incident with theft of a paddleboard and fishing gear in a very brazen manner mid- afternoon. Patrols are regular afloat and ashore. They have access to CCTV which can be available to PHC and Police. All volunteers wear Hi Vis vests when patrolling to be visible. Andrew Symmington – Royal Motor YC Baron Levine continues to support patrols. Regular patrols take place three times a week. It was noticeable when the multi-agency days/patrols were taking place with improved discipline seen on water. Volunteers continue to wear Hi Vis when patrolling.

Bernadette Cherowbrier – Lilliput SC No crime identified. Members continue to go out on patrol when the tide is favourable. This will only occur when they have boats on the water. Members also wear hi Vis when patrolling. Paul Cutts – Parkstone YC There has been an increase in members volunteering to do patrols. There have been no reports of any incidents on the water. The patrols take in a circuit of the Harbour and volunteers are very visible. There were thefts earlier in the season but no aware of any recently.

8. AOB Pete Zambuni – Border Force A reminder that sine we left the EU boat users entering from abroad need to inform Border Force of entry and be aware of customs allowances and restrictions. Boat users need to inform National Yachtline through the Gov. website. Q flag is required on entry to UK waters. For foreign nationals ID cards are no longer acceptable. All information on the .Gov website. Border Force is currently under pressure.
9. Close JM thanked everyone for attendance. Next meeting 17th January 2022. Venue TBC Meeting closed at 11.50