In November, the Industry Specialist Consulting Group (ISCG)* published an Industry Best Practice (IBP) guidance document for the marine industry on the safe operation of water facilities in marinas, boatyards, sailing centres, canals and other inland waterways. SYH’s water supplier, Anglian Water, is a member of the ISCG and as such this IBP will be adopted within the harbour. As a result, all hose pipes have now been removed from the marina.
The IBP has been compiled for several reasons, including:
- increasing the safety of drinking water going onto boats (i.e. preventing stagnant hose pipe water going into water tanks)
- reducing the amount of water wasted by hose pipes that do not have shut off valves at the ends
- preventing marina/river water getting into hose pipes that have been left dangling off the edge of the pontoon
Several water undertakers have adopted the IBP in order to satisfy compliance with the water regulations.
What does this mean for berth holders and marina users?
- The existing taps (which are all drinking water at source) around the marina will remain in situ
- All hose pipes will be removed from the pontoons and hard standing areas by Christmas
- SYH recommends boat owners have the following:
- An expandable hose for washing down (the ‘crinkly’ looking hoses)
- A flat hose for filling up water tanks (these allow water to run out after use ensuring no build-up of stagnant water or bacteria)
- All hoses must have ‘trigger ends’ or shut off valves. As all SYH’s taps are drinking water at source, the shut off valves prevent non-drinking water flowing back up the hose if it drops into the marina
- Washing down and filling up water tanks from the fuel bay is no longer permitted to avoid contamination of water tanks. Pre or post refuelling, boats will need to move along the pontoon, slightly to the west of the fuel bay, to the tap that is already in situ
What is SYH doing to assist berth holders and marina users?
The SYH chandlery will stock the appropriate hose pipe kits, including those with automatic shut off valves, and staff will be on-hand to help with any queries.
SYH managing director Jonathan Dyke commented, “We understand these changes will be an inconvenience for marina users. SYH has been in discussion with marine industry bodies and Anglian Water concerning the regulations for some time and we are now adopting the best practice to ensure safe operation of water facilities within the marina.”
Jonathan continued, “If anyone has questions surrounding the changes, please do speak to a member of the SYH team.”
Lesley Robinson, British Marine CEO, said: “We’re delighted to see the introduction of the IBP which will deliver a high level of consistency across the industry ensuring that all recreational marine activity, whether on a large or small scale, works to the same standards. Importantly, it applies to both inland and coastal operations establishing a better understanding and shared standards across the whole of Britain’s boating network.
“The simple IBP guide makes compliance with the water regulations very clear, allowing our marinas, harbours and boatyards operating water facilities to work to the required standards, provide and share their own feedback on any problems or benefits of operations and ultimately, build new sites and update their facilities more easily.”
Read the new Industry Best Practice (IBP) for the marine industry here.
*The Industry Specialist Consulting Group (ISCG) was formed to provide the recreational boating industry with practical guidance in the safe use and operation of coastal and inland water facilities.