Roger Mabbott provides a broad overview of the industry's capability regarding Hazardous and Noxious Substances spill response, containment and recovery with general reference to existing and forthcoming regulation and the availability and extent of UK contractors' resources.

The announcement, last year, that Ports Skills & Safety Ltd (PSSL) was planning to close seemed to ring the bell of doomfor many new port related training and qualification initiatives. Now, with a revival package firmly in place, the renamed PSS looks set to revive several of the projects. Deborah Ready provides an update to the new operation.

The Marine Bill White Paper proposed an ambitious review and reform of marine planning, licensing, conservation, fisheries management and marine management organisation. David Mundy reviews where the proposals stand after the widespread consultation, and gives an insight into which direction the Parliamentary process may now take. Operation ROCOCO seeks to identify, and accurately survey,strategic navigational channels leading to major commercial ports. Dougie Bell outlines the work of his department and looks to the mutually beneficial association of harbour masters and his naval surveyors.

A year ago, Peter Booth spoke of imminent plans to commission the first purpose built RIB to be designed specifically as a pilot boat. Now, after the craft has been in continuous operation for almost twelve months, he reports on how the new vessel has handled some very demanding pilotage duties and some exceptionally bad weather conditions.

The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) is active in many areas of port welfare and has worked with many port authorities to provide improved facilities, guidance and support to visiting seafarers. Following the lunch break, David Parsons explains some of the new initiatives, including the very successful MNWB sponsored training for ship welfare visitors.

Personal watercraft pose a major challenge to harbour masters: how to provide opportunities for users to enjoy themselves without risking the safety and enjoyment of other harbour users. John Bigger of the Personal Watercraft Partnership explains how the PWP works in partnership with PWC dealers and member clubs to encourage self regulation and responsible behaviour. As the UKHMA’s only overseas Commercial Member, Imbibitive Technologies are able to offer a new perspective on the problems of oil spill recovery. Using case studies, the company's president John Brinkman argues that absorbent spill recovery materials have significant advantages over the conventional adsorbent materials.

The extreme storms of early March have reminded us of the effects that exceptional weather conditions can still wreak on modern ports. Powerful weather forecasting tools are readily available and harbour masters should be aware of the services and facilities that are available for both planning and responding to storm conditions, a topic to be covered in the final presentation of the day.

The morning and afternoon speakers will be available to answer questions at the end of their respective sessions.

Space is limited for this popular event so early booking is advised. Accommodation for the nights of 15 and 16 April are available at the Victory Services Club.

For further information or a booking form contact Christine Davenport at Tel: 0207 382 2636, Fax: 0207 382 2667, Email: Events@imarest.org or Secretary UKHMA at Tel: 02392 460111, Fax: 02392 460123, Email: secretariat@ukhma.org, Web: www.ukhma.org