Thistleworth Marine - Safety Rules and Regulations - Adopted at TM meeting May 20th 2025.
Introduction
As a company and the operator of premises, Thistleworth Marine is directly responsible for many health and safety duties on behalf of residents. However, residents and visitors, including people delivering items to your boats, also have legal duties of care to each other. These Rules are designed to clarify these roles and responsibilities. As the body providing management services on the site, TM is responsible for taking all reasonable steps to ensure that other parties observe the Rules at all times.
Ensure all residents know the rules
It is your responsibility to ensure where your boat is rented that YOUR tenants are fully aware of these safety rules and regulations and that you as the OWNER and LANDLORD take overall responsibility for their actions and payment of marina fees and charges.
Section 1. Out and about the Marina
Know about the Safety Appliances
All residents should make themselves fully aware of the premises and how to use the various safety appliances. These include:
· Fire alarms on the pontoons
· Fire extinguishers on the pontoons and at the top
· Pumps
· Escape ladders at the ends of the pontoons
· Throwing lines
· Life Jackets
A TM safety video https://vimeo.com/42465949 is available to watch
Marina Entrance
The marina entrance has a timed lock and should be kept shut, so not to attract unwanted visitors. Residents are provided with a fob and a keypad code to allow marina access. Landlords are responsible for ensuring tenants have access.
The double gates at the top should be kept bolted when not in use and not used as an alternative entrance when the main gate is locked.
The small access door used for oil deliveries must be shut after every use.
Looking after children and visitors, dogs and cats
Children must always be under proper adult supervision whilst moving around the marina. It is the responsibility of parents or minders to ensure their children’s safety. Children’s life vests are stored for visitors in a metal locker at the top and should be returned there.
Visitors are to be made fully aware by those inviting them to the premises of all risks and hazards, escape routes and use of safety systems. This applies at all times including social events where large numbers are expected.
Dog and Cats.
Dogs are to be always kept under proper control whilst moving around the marina. Pet owners are held responsible for their animals damaging or fouling any part of the marina including boats and will be expected to adequately clean and dispose of fouling.
New Boats at TM and Insurance
All craft coming onto the mooring are to be approved by the Port of London Authority and in accordance with Thistleworth Marine’s company new craft and alteration guidelines. This includes any tender, day boat or launch. The guidelines are shown in the Thistleworth Marine website, www.thistleworth-marine.co.uk/index.php/buy-sell-tml
All craft, are to carry third party insurance with a minimum indemnity of £2,000,000 and will provide proof on annual renewal by way of a copy of the current insurance certificate to Thistleworth Marine Ltd. This includes including any tender, day boat or launches that are fitted with and engine and/or heating systems.
Pontoons, Walkways and Escape Ladders
Pontoons must provide free access and escape routes at all times. No articles are to be permanently stored on any pontoon. Anything placed on the pontoon should be removed each day at sunset or be adequately guarded and lit and must never block or impede free access or escape.
Pontoons must not be used for play, fishing, riding bicycles or any activity which could endanger residents or those performing maintenance duties on behalf of the marina.
Residents are not to encourage visitors to launch canoes, paddles boards etc from the pontoons and walkways.
Escape ladders located at the end of each pontoon and cross pontoon must be kept free from external obstructions including the mooring of dinghies.
Bicycles and motorcycle storage
Bicycles should only be stored within the rack on the connecting walkway to the outside run of pontoons and at the top, where they will not cause inconvenience to other residents or block access to company equipment.
Motorcycles may only be stored at the top if there is any space available and after consultation with the Directors.
The company reserves the right to remove any such offending bicycle/ motorcycle which is considered to be a hazard, the company will accept no responsibility for any sub-sequential loss.
Use of Company Equipment
Any resident using company equipment such as pumps must ensure that it is properly maintained and returned after use. The communal washing machines and dryers must not be overloaded, and filters must be cleaned after every use.
Section 2. Essential Boat Safety
Onboard firefighting equipment
Each boat owner must provide, and have regularly serviced and maintained, adequate firefighting appliances including extinguishers and a fire blanket in accordance with the current boat safety scheme regulations: http://www.boatsafetyscheme.com/downloads/BSS_Guide_chap6web.pdf
Alarms
All boats must have installed working smoke alarms. Except in boats which only have electric heating and cooking, all boats must have working carbon monoxide alarms.
Heating Appliances
All fires and heating appliances must be properly installed and fixed down. They should be regularly serviced and flues inspected and swept.
Gas systems and bottles
Gas bottles must be stored and appliances installed in accordance with the current boat safety scheme regulations available to download at:
http://www.boatsafetyscheme.com/downloads/BSS_Guide_chap7.pdf.
For tenanted boats with gas systems fitted, an annual gas safety certificate must be obtained.
Electric Systems
All systems, both AC and DC must be properly fitted and maintained. For tenanted boats the installation must comply with the UKGov: Guide for Landlords, electrical standards in the private rented sector. This required that installations are tested every 5 years.
Mooring Ropes, fenders and floating debris
Mooring ropes and fenders should be adequately deployed to prevent damage to the pontoons and maintained in a safe condition, rope ends should be safely coiled and returned to the craft so as to avoid any tripping hazards on the pontoon.
It is the responsibility of each boat owner is to ensure their berth is keep free of floating debris.
Mains water and sewerage connections
Mains water connections to craft must be free of leaks. Sewerage connections must not be disconnected from the main marina system at any time.
Contact details
Owners of all craft are to ensure they provide to the company contact details in case of emergency. It is advisable to let a friend or neighbour know your contact details if you are away for a long time
Safety Inspections
Safety inspections of boats and their mooring may be carried out at the discretion of the company or designated safety advisor, any disagreements between the safety advisor or company official and residents shall be brought to a directors’ meeting where the directors’ majority decision will be final.
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