The Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) sets out a national safety standard covering different aspects of running ports and harbours, and represents ‘good practice’ as recognised by a wide range of industry stakeholders.
The Department for Transport publishes a list of compliant ports every three years, and ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute is on schedule for inclusion in the next edition that will be compiled next year for publication in 2025.
The current list of more than 230 ports, published by The Department for Transport as complying with the Code, represents around 14% of UK ports and 30% of Statutory Harbour Authorities.
Achieving the standard involves an independent assessor, or Designated Person, carrying out assurance audits of ports and harbours.
During their assurance audit in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute, the Designated Person highlighted three examples of ‘Best Practice’ including operations at Oban Harbour.
Chair of the Harbour Board, Councillor Andrew Kain, said: “Our ports and harbours play a key part in marine connections to and from our island and mainland communities.
“Although the Port Marine Safety Code is not an official requirement, it is something we want to achieve in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute and I am delighted to see the progress that we are making.â€