HISTORY

Background

The first reference to statutory powers for the Cattewater was in an Act of Queen Anne (1708) which provided for the “Clearing, preserving and maintaining of the Harbour of Cat-water”.

In 1847 the Harbours, Docks and Piers (Clauses) Act codified the general powers of statutory ports and harbours.  In the same year the Commissioners Clauses Act codified the duties and responsibilities of statutory bodies, which were appointed to administer, inter alia, certain statutory ports and harbours.

The Cattewater powers were substantially repeated in 1874 which constituted the Harbour Commissioners with an “Order for the construction, maintenance and regulation of a breakwater and pier on the Batten Reef of rocks at the entrance to Cattewater in the port of Plymouth, and of approach roads thereto, and of the harbour of Cattewater, in the County of Devon”.

This act incorporated various sections of the Harbours Piers and Docks (Clauses) Act and the Commissioners Clauses Act in order to give statutory powers to the Harbour Master, acting on behalf of the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners and permit them to make byelaws for the better regulation of the harbour.

Subsequent orders, of which those of 1915, 1950 and 1986, 1988 & 2005 only are extant, updated duties and other powers (such as borrowing limits).  However the duties and responsibilities of the harbour authority have been added to by many acts, orders and regulations not only stemming from Ports and Harbours Acts but also Merchant Shipping; Health and Safety; Dangerous Substances; COSHH; IMO Codes and many others.  In addition they are enjoined to work in consultation and subject to the over riding powers of the Queen’s Harbour Master in matters affecting the safe navigation of Her Majesty’s ships and vessels.

In 1988 the Pilotage Act followed by the Cattewater Harbour (Pilotage) Revision Order gave the Commissioners responsibility as Competent Harbour Authority for Pilotage within the Plymouth Pilotage District, acting as pilotage authority on behalf of all three civil harbour authorities.

The Commissioners Byelaws are under review.

Summary

Cattewater Harbour Commissioners exist by Act of Parliament as the navigation and conservancy authority for the Cattewater Harbour as well as civil pilotage authority for the Port of Plymouth.

In broad terms they are required to maintain and order safe navigation for all manner of craft which might present themselves to the harbour by surveying and dredging the channels, maintaining navigation marks and lights, providing pilotage services and traffic regulation within the Cattewater and pilotage services to the remainder of the civil port.

In order to do this they are empowered to charge ship, cargo and pilotage dues to defray their costs and to maintain financial reserves.