Portsmouth International Port draws its powers which are used by the commercial port Harbour Master and his Assistants from the following Acts of Parliament, Regulations, Orders and Byelaws.

• Victoria Regina (An Act for enlarging the Town Quay and for improving that portion of the Harbour of Portsmouth called the Camber) 1839
• The Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847
• The Portsmouth Docks Act 1859
• The Portsmouth and Camber Quays Act 1868
• The Landport Wharf Act 1883
• Portsmouth Camber Dock and Flathouse Wharf order 1911
• Portsmouth Corporation Act 1959
• Dangerous Vessels Act 1985
• The Pilotage Act 1987
• The Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987
• The Merchant Shipping Act 1995
• The Portsmouth Camber Dock and Flathouse Wharf Order 1962
• The Portsmouth Mile End Revision Orders 1966, 1973,1981,1988, 1991,1993
• The Portsmouth (Pilotage) Harbour Revision Order 1988 and 1992
• The Portsmouth Flathouse Quay HRO 1990
• The Portsmouth Camber Dock And Flathouse Quay HRO 1990
• The Portsmouth Mile End (Albert Johnson Quay) HRO 1992
• The Portsmouth (Continental Ferry Port Phase 7) HRO 1994
• The Portsmouth (Camber Dock) HRO 1995
• The Portsmouth (Continental Ferry Port Berth 5) HRO 1999
• The Portsmouth (Tall Ships Berths) HRO 2000
• The Portsmouth (Millennium Waterbus Landing Stages) HRO 2000
• The Portsmouth (Continental Ferry Port Berth 2 Extension) Harbour Revision Order 2011
• Byelaws with respect to the Town Camber 1936

The main conservancy of Portsmouth Harbour and its approaches is the responsibility of the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth. The Commercial Port is however, responsible for its own berths and approaches.

The Commercial Port undertakes to conserve its part of the harbour so that it is fit for use as a Port and to exercise reasonable care to see that the harbour is in a fit condition for a vessel to use it.

This will be achieved by the following methods.

• By undertaking hydrographic surveys for our areas of responsibility at the intervals as prescribed in our Safety Management System.
• By sharing this information with the Queens Harbour Master, the Hydrographic Office and where appropriate the main stakeholders.
• By under taking dredging or ploughing operations to maintain the depths that the Commercial Port is responsible for.
• To ensure that the navigation lights to which we have responsibility, are maintained as per our Safety Management System.
• To maintain our berths to ensure that they are fit for purpose.

Portsmouth International Port is committed to undertake and regulate its marine operations in a way that safeguards the harbour, its users, the public and the environment.

It aims to facilitate the public right to use the harbour, and to safeguard the public interest in the safety of the harbours operation in the areas under its control.

These obligations will be funded by dues raised.

Portsmouth International Port undertakes to support commercial activities in the harbour through the safe and efficient provision of the following services and, within its areas of responsibility, the effective regulation of shipping in the harbour.

• By exercising its Powers and Duties in accordance with its Safety Management System.
• By providing a safe and efficient pilotage service.
• By provision of slot times for the Continental Ferries.
• By liaising with and working with the Queens Harbour Master in the provision of a safe and efficient Harbour.
• By ensuring that there are no conflicts of interest between this Code and the Dockyard Ports, Port Marine Safety Code.
• By investigating incidents and accidents within its areas of jurisdiction.
• By using and maintaining a safety management system.
• By working with towage providers to ensure that a safe and efficient towage service is available.
• By operating a boat and boatman licensing scheme under the Public Health Act.

Portsmouth International Port has statutory powers of regulation within its area of jurisdiction. These powers are derived from various Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments, Harbour Revision Orders and Bye Laws. PIP acknowledges these broad and wide powers and will always exercise these powers proportionally in favour of education before prosecution.

However; In order to ensure that the safety of its users and the environment are protected PIP recognizes that there will be occasions when its statutory powers will need to be enforced.

In exercising its powers of enforcement PIP will take appropriate action proportionate to the circumstances of the case involved. The outcome of this action may result in.

1. A Warning.
2. A suspension of revocation of any licence issued by the authority.
3. A formal caution
4. A lien on a boat or property and the sale of such to pay for any dues and costs owed.
5. A prosecution through the courts.
6. Any other appropriate action.

In consideration of enforcement PIP will take account, amongst other things, any of the following circumstances.

1. The seriousness of the incident.
2. Any injuries to personnel or the public.
3. The amount of any moneys owed.
4. The wider public interest.
5. The damage to property or to the environment.
6. Any regulations not followed.
7. Contravention of any licence conditions.

This Safety Policy covers the marine operations within the jurisdiction of Portsmouth International Port and Portsmouth Competent Harbour Authority. The following commitments are made:.

• To manage the assets of the port safely and efficiently.
• To discharge the duties and powers given by government in a safe and proper manner.
• To maintain relevant harbour equipment to agreed industry standards.
• To recruit and train relevant operational staff to nationally agreed competence levels.
• To ensure that Port staff are properly trained for emergencies and contingencies.
• To promote a positive safety culture, fostered by the active leadership of senior management.
• To motivate and empower staff to work safely.
• To encourage effective staff involvement and participation in port safety policies and procedures.
• To promote competence and effective communication with staff.

The Safety Management System embraces the use of adequate formal risk assessments for all marine operations in the port.

It is the policy of the port to maintain a risk assessment database and to keep the risk assessments under constant review.

New risks will be properly assessed and procedures will be implemented to reduce the risk to as low is reasonably practicable.

Accidents and incidents which concern Portsmouth Competent Harbour Authority (CHA), are investigated jointly by the Commercial Port Harbour Master and the Queen’s Harbour Master. They will require reports of the accident or incident and may require an interview with the persons involved. The investigation will try and establish what went wrong with the safety management systems involved and will recommend/make changes to systems from the lessons learned.