North Devon Council is the Municipal Harbour Authority for Ilfracombe Harbour, the Duty Holder for Ilfracombe and Lynmouth Harbours, and the owner of maritime assets on the Taw Estuary.

Following the 2025 update of the Ports & Marine Facilities Code (PMSC, previously known as the Port Marine Safety Code), the Council sought to understand how the role of the Duty Holder—accountable for safe marine operations—had changed under the new Code.

The Council appointed ABPmer, who has provided audit services for both harbours under the previous PMSC, to deliver a one-day Duty Holder training course to Councillors and key officers of the Authority.

Our specialists covered the purpose of the PMSC and the role of the Duty Holder in ensuring compliance, as well as the duties, powers and responsibilities of the Duty Holder under the Code, as well as legal obligations.

The training also included a comprehensive overview of the new PMSC and accompanying guide to good practice, a review of the PMSC ‘Health Check’ compliance audits undertaken by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), and analysis of the recent adverse trends published in the Agency’s PMSC ‘Health Check Findings’ report.

Our trainers received highly positive feedback, with Ilfracombe Harbour Master Capt. Georgina Carlo-Paat MBE commenting that we “accommodated our needs and timeframe to the high level of professionalism we have come to expect from ABPmer.”

Our maritime risk specialists are dedicated to helping ports and other marine operators meet the requirements of the Ports & Marine Facilities Safety Code​, regularly developing and auditing Safety Management Systems. 

Ready to speak to one of our specialists about your requirements? Get in touch.