The Exeter Harbour Board meeting on 13 June 2024 covered several key topics, including the endorsement of the Exeter Ship Canal and Heritage Harbour Route Map, updates from the Exeter Port Users Group, and discussions on the Harbour Revision Order pre-consultation. The meeting also addressed the Harbour Master’s report and the future of the Duty Holder for Exeter Port Authority.

Exeter Ship Canal and Heritage Harbour Route Map

Mr John Monks inquired about the outcome of the Visioning Day discussion on the Exeter Ship Canal and Heritage Harbour Route Map. The Chair confirmed that the Route Map was broadly supported by the Board, with participants identifying synergies with the Harbour Board's Terms of Reference and Vision Statement. However, some projects were deemed unrealistic, and questions about liability and potential conflicts were raised. The Chair reiterated the Board's support for the Route Map and offered to provide Mr Monks with detailed feedback.

Exeter Port Users Group Update

Rex Frost, Chair of the Exeter Port Users Group (EPUG), provided an update on the recent EPUG meeting. Key points included concerns about the Draft Harbour Revision Order (HRO), which many saw as a means to increase charges and impose unnecessary control. The winter weather had caused navigation issues and sand loss at Dawlish Warren. The Harbour Master noted that a survey by Shoreline Surveys would be conducted to address these issues.

Harbour Board Visioning Event Review

The Chair reviewed the Harbour Board Visioning Day, highlighting members' desire to strengthen biodiversity wording in the terms of reference and improve the FAQ section on the website. The event was seen as a successful team-building exercise, with support for the Route Map and suggestions for better stakeholder engagement. Councillor Read proposed researching the 'Duty to Cooperate' practice and involving representatives from Exmouth Town Council, Teignbridge District Council, and East Devon District Council in the Harbour Board.

Harbour Revision Order Update

The Harbour Master discussed the pre-consultation process for the Harbour Revision Order, noting that three drop-in sessions had taken place, with most concerns centred around funding and costs. The Chair mentioned that approximately 150 people attended the sessions, and their feedback would be consolidated and posted on the Exeter City Council website within eight weeks. Councillor Leadbetter emphasised the importance of addressing people's fears, while Mr Garratt warned that charges might be necessary to ensure safety.

Harbour Master’s Report

The Harbour Master provided an update on various activities, including the non-arrival of 'Percy the Dredger', vegetation clearing on canal banks, and the acquisition of extra pontoons from Dartmouth. He also mentioned ongoing issues with navigation marks and the need for more compliance with Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) coding for boats. The Harbour Master responded to questions about the River Exe Café, Turf Locks, and incident reporting.

Mr Michaelson suggested improvements to incident reporting and communication plans, which the Harbour Master agreed to implement. The Chair thanked the Waterways team for their efforts during the pre-consultation and noted the importance of transparency and stakeholder engagement.

For more details, you can refer to the Harbour Board Minutes 11 March 2024 and other related documents.