The Port of Southampton Harbour Revision Order 2025
This Order, made on the application of Associated British Ports (“A. B. Ports”) updates the statutory harbour authority powers applying in relation to the Port of Southampton (“the Port”) and provides for:The amendment of the Southampton Harbour Act 1887 (1887 Ch. lii) to ensure that the definition of the limits of the Port includes the dock estate (article 3). An illustrative plan showing the Port may be inspected during working hours at the main office of A.B. Ports at Ocean Gate, Atlantic Way, Southampton, Hampshire SO14 3QN or on http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/ (article 4).Additional powers to be conferred on the harbour master (defined in article 2) at the Port to make directions regulating use of the Port, including requiring the preparation and provision of information, which would cover the provision of risk assessments in a case where the harbour master reasonably considers that there is a risk to safety within the Port.A procedure for giving, amending or revoking general directions and providing for their publication (articles 7 and 8).The manner of giving, and the harbour master’s power to amend or revoke, special directions are set out at article 6.The creation of an offence of failing to comply with general or special directions, the penalty for which is a fine on summary conviction not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (article 9). A defence of due diligence is available to a person charged under article 9 (article 9(3)).Consequential amendments to local legislation applying to the Port (article 12). This Order amends section 52 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 (c. 27) (“the 1847 Act”) in its application to the Port by updating the definition of vessel and the Order also disapplies section 53 of the 1847 Act. This Order amends section 17 of the Southampton Harbour Act 1863 (cap.cxix). This Order repeals section 13 of the Southampton Harbour Act 1939 (c.lxxxiii).The creation of an offence for the owner of a vessel of refusing to give the harbour master information as to the person who at any given time was the master of the vessel. The penalty for this offence is a fine on summary conviction not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (article 13).