Slipway Committee Report
6th June 2001
Table of Contents
1.0 Summary
The appointed committee investigated the options for maintaining a the seabed. Many options were considered which could be divided into two groups:
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actions that can be undertaken by the club
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actions that can be undertaken by others.
The committee recognised that the slipway is public property and that the true liability is with the local council for maintenance. The committee concluded that it will not be possible to rely on the Fareham Borough Council to clear the slipway on a regular basis and that a 'self-help' method is the only way to obtain a continuously serviceable slipway. The council stated that the slipway will be subjected to a review in 2002 however we did not consider that this would be beneficial to the dub in the short to medium term if at all.
The committee concluded that if no action is taken then the shingle will continue to be a problem. It is also possible that an ineffective slipway will cause some members to become disinterested and leave the club in favour of another with easier launching.
Of the options considered that could be used by the club the purchase of a small tractor with a scoop provide the safest and most convenient solution. It was considered tat this could be purchased for approximately £2000.
The Hampshire Constabulary agreed in writing to the use of a tractor for the purpose we propose.
2.0 Introduction
A committee was formed at the request of the 2000 AGM to investigate the problems that shingle was imposing on the public slipway used by the club. The committee consisted of the following club members:
Clive Dakin Alan Finding Roger Rudrum Bob Swatton Kevin Woolnough
3.0 Background
The Seafarers Sailing Club gains access to the Solent by using a public slipway under the control of Fareham Borough Council. This gives access to an area of very shallow sloping beach with a mixture of sand and shingle surface. During the last two years the topography of the seabed has changed locally resulting in larger amounts of shingle being deposited at the top of the beach under the promenade. This is thought to be caused by the civil engineering works carried out at Lee-on-the-Solent beach during the mid 1990s. The shingle accumulation starts at the high water point resulting in a pronounced 'hump' at the lower half of the slipway.
The Seafarers Sailing Club is a relatively small but active family oriented sailing club catering for people of all ages. It holds regular races during the season. It is unique in its encouragement of regular dinghy cruising during the midweek period and at weekends. The club has a policy of organising sailing events at the same time each week irrespective of the state of the tide. At low tide this can mean a walk of approximately one hundred metres across the beach manually pulling a dinghy.
4.0 Shingle on the Slipway: the effect on the Sailing Club
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Increased effort required to pull dinghy and trolley on to the slipway
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Possible injury to persons pulling the dinghies due to strain or slipping
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Discouragement of smaller parties involved in cruises due to impracticality of recovering dinghies
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Individuals becoming disinterested or leaving the club due to the effort required to launch and recover their dinghies
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Damage to the underside of dinghies from contact with the shingle
5.0 Investigation
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actions that can be undertaken by the club
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actions that can be undertaken by others.
5.1 Actions that could be undertaken by the club
Actions that could be undertaken by the club were considered listing the perceived pros and cons:
- Amending the race sailing times
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By only sailing at high tide the lower part of the Slipway would not be used
Pros: No expenditure
Cons: Very restricted sailing, no help to individuals wishing to sail alone
- Temporary industrial grade matting
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A roll of plastic matting that would be stored in the compound and rolled out over the slipway.
Pros: A self-help action
Cons: Expense, time, effort and manpower required installing and recovering. Liability to the general public using the promenade
- Block and Tackle
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A system of pulleys anchored within the compound that would be used to pull boats up the slipway.
Pros: Relatively cheap, uses minimal manpower
Cons: Liability to the general public using the promenade and the car park. No assistance in moving boats down the slipway
- Manual clearing on race/cruise days
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Pros: No expenditure
Cons: Requires a large number of people to be effective. Liability to the general public using the beach
- Mechanical Digger
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Pros: Very quick and effective
Cons: Liability to the general public using the beach, the promenade and the car park, expense and running costs, maintenance and security of the digger, insurance, operator training, storage
- Tractor or Landrover
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Pros: Ability to move dinghies from the low water mark to the compound
Cons: Liability to the general public using the beach, the promenade and the car park, expense and running costs, maintenance and security of the vehicle, insurance, operator training, storage
5.2 Actions that could be undertaken by others
It was considered that Fareham Borough Council would be the correct authority to approach for help. It was considered tat they could help us by one of the following methods:
Regularly clearing the Slipway
Re-build the Slipway, extending it past the shingle line
Build a retaining wall to the West Side of the existing Slipway to prevent the accumulation of shingle.
6.0 Negotiations with Fareham Borough Council
The committee first approached Mr Peter Grimwood, the Chief Leisure Officer at FBC. We contacted the Parks Department and the Engineering Department. We also contacted the local Councillor, Mr Curtis, and kept him informed of our approaches to the Council.
The Council agreed to clear the slipway once at a time convenient to us. This was arranged and carried out in the spring of 200l prior to the sailing season commencing. The Council declined our request to consider clearing the slipway on a regular basis during the sailing season. It was stated that funds were not available. We also managed to get the slipway cleared once more by contacting the Leisure Department at Fareham Leisure Centre. This was carried out prior to the recent training week held at the sailing club. Again it was explained that this would be a single undertaking.
The Council have stated that all the slipways in the borough will be subject to a review during 2002. This review will consider what maintenance or improvements will need to be carried out.
7.0 Contact with Hampshire Constabulary
We contacted the local police force to seek advice on the use of a vehicle to clear the slipway. Our concerns centred on the liability of crossing the car park and the promenade. Two police officers visited the site and met with two members of our committee. Following this a comprehensive report was received concerning the use of a tractor across the car park and promenade. The following points from the report are relevant:
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The area adjacent to the slipway is not classified as a road and therefore a vehicle excise licence is not required.
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It was recommended that the sailing club should take out public liability insurance for a tractor if they decided to use one.
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An annual maintenance programme is undertaken for the tractor.
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The clearing of the slipway should be carried out at times when a minimal number of pedestrians are in the area and that the tractor is fitted with an amber flashing light.
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The use of a winch was assessed to be more of a risk than the use of a tractor.
8.0 Contract Slipway Clearing
We contacted the contractor who dug the footings for the new boat shed for a price to clear the slipway. This was quoted at £130 - £150 each day
9.0 Conclusions
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The shingle will continue to accumulate.
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We will not receive regular clearing of the slipway by FBC.
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It is unlikely that, in the near future, the slipway will be modified in a way that it resists the ingress of shingle. The Council survey next year may mean action some years later. It may recommend no action at all.
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The cost to the club to pay a contractor to clear the slipway would be excessive.
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The popularity of the club and the ability of some members to sail when they like may be compromised if no action is taken.
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A suitable tractor could be used to clear the slipway as well as towing heavier dinghies/ rescue boat across the beach at low tide.
10.0 Recommendations
It is recommended that the club agree to the assignment of funds for the purchase of a tractor fitted with a scoop for the purpose of removing shingle from the base of the slipway.
If this proposal is accepted then we recommend that a person or persons be nominated to oversee the purchase.
A suitable tractor could be purchased for approximately £2000.
That a method statement, training courses for the assigned drivers and a risk assessment, cover the use of the tractor.