The Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee is scheduled to meet to elect a chair and vice-chair for the year 2025-2026, review the minutes from their previous meeting, and discuss harbour management matters. The committee will also note the date of their next meeting.

Harbour Management Update

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on harbour management matters from the Senior Harbours Officer, Daniel Arthur Cartwright. The report pack includes performance data, collected as part of the Maritime Service's performance management, including mooring agreements and customer satisfaction.

Mooring agreements across Porthmadog, Barmouth and Aberdyfi harbours are reported to be consistent with previous years. The report pack notes that there has been a 10% increase in powered craft registered with Cyngor Gwynedd, rising from 2,141 to 2,362. The report pack states that:

The Service respectfully requests that details of all vessels and customers be provided to the harbour office at the earliest opportunity by all mooring suppliers / holders within the harbour.

Customer satisfaction levels are also included in the report, with the report pack stating that there has been an upward trend in positive feedback. Positive feedback includes comments that harbour staff are approachable and knowledgeable, that the harbour is clean and well maintained, and that the new sculptures are great. Negative feedback includes a lack of toilets and parking, too much mud at the bottom of the slipway, and sandbank movement in the channel.

The report pack also mentions the Port Marine and Facilities Safety Code (PMSC), and that the harbours are regularly audited to ensure compliance. The new 'Designated Person', Mr Owen Morgan, Harbour Manager for Ceredigion Council, will conduct the next audit during the winter months. The updated version of the code will be published on the council's website following the audit.

The report pack notes that officers are now required to wear body worn cameras to provide protection and to record any incidents, due to the nature of their work. It is also noted that no maritime incidents or accidents have been reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) so far this year.

The report pack states that Cyngor Gwynedd had a 95.47% availability of Aids to Navigation, with the service being considered to be in Good Order in the latest Trinity House GLA (General Lighthouse Authority) report.

A summary of the budget for Porthmadog Harbour is included in the report pack, with a financial performance review for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Other key issues mentioned in the report pack include:

• Development of the harbour office and compound have been supported through departmental 'reserves'¹.
• North Wales Police have requested footage from the new harbour CCTV system on a number of occasions this year to assist with incident investigations in the harbour area.
• A number of outboard motor thefts have been reported along the coast, the most recent incident being at Borth-y-Gest.
• The Maritime patrol vessels are fully compliant with 'Cat 6' coding requirements² following their annual inspection by the YBDSA³.
• Discussions remain ongoing with the Porthmadog Rowing Club regarding a formal lease agreement for the area within the harbour compound used to store the Club's rowing boats.

Update on Operational Matters

The committee is also scheduled to receive an update on operational matters from the Harbour Master, M. Humphreys. The report pack notes that favourable weather has brought increased activity on the water, and reminds mariners and water users of the importance of taking appropriate safety precautions.

The report pack advises that all new harbour customers requesting a mooring in Porthmadog Harbour must visit the harbour office and complete the necessary mooring form and discuss vessel details. Returning customers are requested to utilise the online mooring registration system, which will be accessible from 1 April 2026.

The report pack states that harbour staff continue to monitor the course of the navigable channel, and that a Local Notice to Mariners was issued in May to advise harbour users of a sand bank encroaching between the Lookout Post and Danger Rock where the river Dwyryd meets the Glaslyn.

The report pack reminds mariners to contact the harbour office prior to any approach to obtain the latest navigational information, and that changes to any of the navigational aids will be circulated via Local Notice to Mariners and are available on the Cyngor Gwynedd website.

Specific issues mentioned in the report pack include:

• 'Dixie' the dragon continues to be a very popular attraction, as is the new Howard Bowcott installation.
• Discussions are still ongoing regarding the relocation of the old hoist to the harbour area as an additional installation.
• The service plans to install a new solar 'Pay and Display' machine in the car park over the winter period.
• Concerns have been raised regarding the use of the car park by large vehicles and motorhomes, and new signage will be installed to address this.
• During recent flood alerts it was noted that the flood gates at Borth-y-Gest had sustained some damage to the latches.

The report pack also notes that the Griselinia plants along the compound fence are maturing well, and that several additions to the compound work have begun, including new concrete pads and composite fencing. A new metered electric service point has been installed near the diesel pump.

Works have begun to create a new room within the Porthmadog harbour office to provide a shared new office for the Senior Harbour Officer and Beaches Officer.

The report pack reminds all event organisers of the need to provide early notification of any proposed event, and that the service reserves the right to apply any restrictions necessary to ensure public and staff safety.

Other Agenda Items

• The committee will elect a chair and vice-chair for 2025-2026.
• The committee will review the minutes of the meeting held on 04/03/25.
• The committee will note that the next meeting of the Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 03/03/26.