Corporate report

Rye Harbour safety plan management targets 2025 to 2028

Updated 21 October 2025

Applies to England

This plan is issued in accordance with the requirements of the Ports and Marine Facilities Safety Code.

Introduction  

The Harbour of Rye is the formal name given to a defined Harbour area for which the Environment Agency is the conservancy, harbour and local lighthouse authority. This is detailed in the Harbour of Rye revision order 1976, section 4 (1) (2). This clearly defines the harbour limits which encompass an area extending 100 metres seawards and to the east and west of the pier heads. The limits:

• extend the length of the tidal River Rother as far as Scots Float sluice
• extends into the Rock Channel as far as the Rivers Tillingham and Breed sluices

An area:

• adjacent to and including Rye Wharf is excluded from the harbour limits
• known as North Point Lake, to the east of the middle channel is included within the harbour limits

The Code, revised regularly by the Department for Transport (DfT) requires harbour authorities to publish a safety plan for marine operations. The plan should illustrate how the policies and procedures will be developed by the authority to satisfy the requirements of the Code.

Target 1: navigational incidents

Action:

• regularly review marine activities and risks
• risks will be as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP)

Measure of success:

• there will be no major incidents, serious injuries or serious pollution because of a failure of the safety management system

Target 2: conservancy and hydrographic surveys

Actions:

• provide and maintain navigation aids
• undertake triannual bathymetry survey

Measures of success:

• aids to navigation – meet the availability targets set by Trinity House

• hydrographic surveys:

  • ensure that the port and approaches have an adequate plan of hydrographic surveys
  • these are undertaken in line with industry standards for hydrographic surveying
  • information about hydrographic surveys will be shared with UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)

Target 3: pilotage service

Actions:

• provide a pilotage service
• review pilotage directions every 5 years

Measures of success:

• no major incident due to pilot or Pilot Exemption Certificate (PEC) holder error
• pilotage directions of the port will be kept under review and republished every 5 years

Target 4: training of marine personnel

Action:

• maintain staff training provision and revalidation of industry qualifications

Measure of success:

• all marine personnel undertake the necessary training

Target 5: liaison and consultation with port stakeholders

Actions:

• Rye Harbour advisory committee to meet at least 3 times per year
• the committee to continuously review risk assessments

Measures of success:

• regular consultation about marine safety matters for new and existing activities
• committee oversight of operational risk assessments

Target 6: ports and marine facilities safety code and designated person provision

Action:

• complete an independent annual audit of the Marine Safety Management System

Measures of success:

• compliance with the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC)
• observations and corrections will be carried out in a timely manner

Target 7: legislation and powers

Action:

• regular reviews of powers and legislation

Measures of success:

• the powers available to the Rye Harbour Authority will be appropriate and fit for purpose
• legal review of local acts, orders and byelaws

Target 8: health and safety

Actions:

• comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• comply with The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)

Measures of success:

• adhere to the provision and use of work equipment regulations
• appoint a LOLER responsible officer – all LOLER equipment will be maintained and inspected in accordance with the operational instruction

Target 9: marine procedures

Action:

• maintain appropriate standard operating procedures

Measure of success:

• procedures will be reviewed during the life of the plan, taking into account any relevant changes in guidance and or legislation

Target 10: environment

Actions:

• maintain oil spill preparedness plan in accordance with regulations UK Statutory Instruments 1998 No. 1056
• maintain Port Waste Management Plan in accordance with regulations – the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Port Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2003

Measures of success:

• the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC) plan will be revalidated by Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) – and a continuous record maintained of training events
• the Port Waste Management Plan will be revalidated by the MCA
• the plan ensures appropriate systems in place to deal with harbour waste

Target 11: duty holder

Action:

• publish details of the duty holder as required by the PMSC

Measurs of success:

• details of the duty holder for the Rye Harbour, Sally Harvey – Area Director for Kent and South London and East Sussex (KSLES), will be published