Guidance: Port Marine Safety Code compliant ports

Port Marine Safety Code duty holder statements of compliance

The Port Marine Safety Code (“the Code”) sets out a national standard for every aspect of port marine safety. Its aim is to enhance safety for everyone who uses or works in the UK port marine environment. It 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. The Code is intended to be flexible enough that any size or type of harbour or marine facility will be able to apply its principles in a way that is appropriate and proportionate to local requirements.

The Code is applicable both to statutory harbour authorities and to other marine facilities which may not have statutory powers and duties. These are collectively referred to throughout the Code as ‘organisations’ and may include, but are not limited to, the following:

It is strongly recommended that organisations or facilities which are not a statutory harbour authority, such as marine berths and terminals, seek a proportionate compliance with this Code.

Where a marine terminal or jetty is situated within the jurisdiction of a Statutory Harbour Area (“SHA”), it is important for both parties to engage with one another to ascertain the scope and extent of the SHA’s Marine Safety Management System (MSMS) and whether it incorporates any of the terminal’s or jetty’s marine operations. This engagement will help to define whether it is necessary for the terminal or jetty to develop their own MSMS.

The duty holder is responsible for ensuring that their organisation complies with the Code. In order to effectively undertake this role they should: