Ryde’s Harbourmaster has quit in protest of a newly installed container which he says creates a safety issue by blocking a vital view of the immediate area, including the notoriously dangerous outer bank and harbour entrance.
The container has been put in place by Ryde Town Council to facilitate the hiring out of paddleboards and similar water-based activities over the Summer months. It comes ahead of the anticipated takeover of Ryde Harbour by the Town Council.
Shaun Smith has handed in his resignation as he says he can no longer see approaches from the North, East and West, nor the approach channel and the dangerous outer bank and harbour entrance. This is because the container, situated on the harbour wall, blocks the harbour office window.
Mr Smith highlighted his concerns in a letter to the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee, which included the risk of paddleboard and kayak users being swept along in prevailing westerly currents into the path of the hovercraft and under Ryde Pier. He has since said that it seems no professional maritime organisations were approached or notified of the plans, which were approved by Council planners.
In November last year, a child was rescued by the harbourmaster when he was able to throw a life ring to a youngster who had fallen into the water. The incident saw 2 other boys jump into the sea to assist their friend, with all 3 later conveyed to hospital – a positive outcome thanks to Shaun’s quick actions.
Ryde Town Council and the Isle of Wight Council have been approached for a statement.
UPDATE @ 09:27 – A spokesperson for Ryde Town Council has told Island Echo:
“As part of our brand new beachfront rental business Ryde Town Council worked together with the officers at the Isle of Wight Council to site a storage container at Ryde Harbour. It was an essential component of the business and therefore it was vital to ensure that each aspect was thoroughly considered.
Article continues below this advertisement “Planning permission for the container was sought and granted and every step of the process has been made with full consultation on all aspects, including safety, with the Isle of Wight Council’s Senior Harbour Master and other senior IWC officers.
“The safety of harbour users is of paramount importance to both Ryde Town Council and the Isle of Wight Council and both will continue to take this into consideration when making decisions”.
UPDATE – An Isle of Wight Council Spokesperson has said:
“Whilst the location of the container does result in reduced visibility; the harbour staff are not restricted to remaining in the office.
“The authority is working with Ryde Town Council to look to see whether we can resolve any concerns.
“We do not discuss issues regarding members of staff as they are an internal matter.”
Who would be accountable then for any deaths that occur due to the visibility of this window being taken away ?
Personally I think that comment a little OTT – surely HM doesn’t sit watching the entrance to the harbour full time!! He has jobs around the harbour and how many ‘deaths’ have occurred??
Don’t you need planning permission to install a temporary ‘building’? i.e. a ‘portacabin’ or a storage container? If I put one in my garden the enforcement officer would no doubt be paying me a visit….
Ah but how much are they being ‘backhanded’? Where there’s money to be made lives don’t matter it seems!
Can’t say that Mandy but its true, a few £’s works wonders.
Well done Shaun… at least shaun put safety before money
Well done that man, safety must never be compromised in such an unnecessary way.
Hope it quickly gets moved to an alternative and he continues his good work.
Clearly the council have put profit before safety here. This poor man has been put in a tough position as he would be liable for any mishaps as well as all his seniors all the way up to the top. If he thinks it is dangerous then he has no option but to put safety first and resign.
The council should have someone holding them to account iver this.
Simple solution? Get Island Cranes to swop them.
“full consultation on all aspects, including safety, with the Isle of Wight Council’s Senior Harbour Master ” Hmm. Has the Senior Harbour ever spent any time in said hut to know about the visibility? Just a thought
I would suggest there is a vicarious liability issue here with those people making the decision potentially in the frame if a situation could have been avoided if full vision as described was blocked by the container.
Common sense should prevail here full stop
Absolute dim-wits …….. !
Simple solution I would say !
Swap the container with the harbour master office!?
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Typical council views on everything !