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WHAM AGM 29-11-08

Stephen Driver, Coastal Inspector of the Northern Lighthouse Board, spoke on the marking of fish farm equipment. This all has to comply with the Coast Protection Act of 1949. He makes inspections in person and is happy to hear from anyone about errors in marking or confusion of navigation aids caused by incorrectly placed marks or lights. Contact him on 0131 473 3155 or email navigation@nlb.org.uk.

What I found of interest was the preference for poles over buoys where this is appropriate: 2 metres high (min) and 15 cm (min) diameter. If buoys are used then they need to exhibit a light at 2m height for a 2M range. Generally Fl(4)Y12s is to be left to port and FlY5sec to starboard when moving in the buoyage direction.

Concern was expressed where a shore station pumps feed along tubes to a marine farm as these are at the surface and should be marked at intervals by buoys. Conversely a few councils in planning permission have asked the tubes to be sunk sub surface and these are less than a metre down and are a hazard yet cannot be sunk to the seafloor as the pellets stack up in the pressurised tube. After one year has passed we will know more about this problem which could be significant with a few farms ½ mile offshore.

WHAM was a Marine Bill consultee and have asked for a right of appeal to be available on Navigation consents (present Section 34 type). This does not exist at present and occasionally this is issued creating conflict and there is no repeal.

When the draft Bill comes out it will need to be looked at closely.

The Committee remain the same and have stood again.

Lots of other things came up but have little bearing on ACBA.

Robert Kincaid

See WHAM's website here.