As Designated Person, ABPmer will provide independent assurance about the effectiveness of the marine safety management system for Southwold Harbour.

This article refers to the 2016 Port Marine Safety Code. For information on the 2025 Ports & Marine Facilities Safety Code (still known as the PMSC), please see our Briefing Note Ports & Marine Facilities Safety Code Update

East Suffolk Council has appointed ABPmer as its Designated Person under the requirements of the Department for Transport’s Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) for its harbour in Southwold. 

The Council is the Statutory Harbour Authority for the lower section of the tidal River Blyth, which serves both Southwold on the north bank and Walberswick on the south bank. Southwold Harbour is home to artisanal fishermen, an active leisure vessel community, visiting power boats and yachts, wind farm craft and other commercial vessels. The harbour also attracts a large number of pedestrian visitors, mainly during the summer season. 

The PMSC states that a Designated Person must be appointed to provide independent assurance about the operations of an Authority’s marine safety management system. This assurance is required by East Suffolk Council as Duty Holder, which is accountable for compliance with the Code.

Councillor David Ritchie, Chair of the Southwold Harbour Management Committee, said:

“We are very pleased to welcome Monty Smedley as our new Designated Person. Marine safety is central to our vision for a safe and thriving harbour operation; we look forward to working with ABPmer as our independent Designated Person to deliver on our marine safety focus.”

Damon O’Brien, Managing Director at ABPmer said:

“We are delighted to have been selected as East Suffolk Council’s Designated Person under the PMSC. ABPmer is very well placed to assist the Council at Southwold in achieving a safe and efficient port marine operation. We look forward to supporting the Council in the future.”

ABPmer commenced the role as Designated Person for East Suffolk Council at Southwold Harbour in July 2022. 

Do you require a Designated Person for your port, harbour or terminal?

Our experienced DPs provide:

• An on-call DP service
• Audit reporting to your harbour board
• Marine accident and incident investigation
• Gap analysis for Marine Safety Management Systems
• PMSC compliance and assurance auditing

If you are ready to discuss your requirements, Get in touch.