Relief Pier Manager

JOB PURPOSE  

Based on the island of Canna the Relief Pier Manager role will be to assist with the operation and maintenance of Canna Harbour and its environs in line with the Trust’s operational, compliance and statutory obligations and the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code. The post-holder will also provide operational cover for the Pier Manager during periods of leave, training, or absence from the island, ensuring continuity of safe harbour operations. During such periods, the Relief Pier Manager will exercise delegated day to day harbour master powers, as agreed with the Harbour Master and Operations Manager.

CONTEXT 

The Isle of Canna is one of a group of islands known as the Small Isles situated 19 miles off the coast of the nearest mainland port of Mallaig, Western Scotland. Canna Harbour is the only port owned and managed within the Trust portfolio and therefore there is a significant responsibility and accountability for the Trust to ensure the harbour is managed safely and efficiently. 

Canna Harbour operates all year providing a vital link for the island community with the mainland. There is a regular ferry service provided by Caledonian MacBrayne which operates 6 times per week between March and October and 3 times per week in the winter months. In addition to the ferry service there are increasing numbers of other commercial and leisure vessels utilising the harbour facilities such as cruise ships, private yachts, RIBS and fishing vessels. The latest operational figures recorded show 13 international cruise ships (1063 passengers), 26 sailing boats (613 passengers), 69 small cruise ships (315 passengers) and tour operator RIBS of approximately 5000 passengers. Further marine traffic is evident from high season yacht moorings (up to 30 boats per night) and frequent fishing vessel berths (c. 50).  Although commercial activity is a lesser part of the harbour operation it does however support the delivery of vital island life-line commodities such a food, utilities, equipment and island and contractor vehicles. 

This role is a key contact for all types of visitors to the island and the local community and is pivotal to the smooth operation of Canna Harbour.  The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate flexibility in decision-making in the harbour operation particularly in relation to weather conditions. This role is critical to the Trust both in terms of operational and reputational commitment. The Relief Pier Manager plays a key role in ensuring continuity of harbour operations during times when the Pier Manager is unavailable or off island. The Harbour Master is based remotely, with day- to- day harbour master powers devolved to the Canna Pier Manager. The Operations Manager and Harbour Master visit Canna on a regular basis throughout the year. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES  

The Key Responsibilities of this role are:  

• Health & Safety – including regulatory compliance: 
• To work to the guidelines contained in the ACOP “Safety in Docks” 
• To undertake harbour duties to maintain infrastructure in reasonable condition for safe use and access of the public in line with the Canna Harbour Marine Safety Management System and report to the Marine Harbour Management Team as required. 
• To adopt and apply Safe Systems of Work to activities within the harbour. Ensuring all areas is safe    and any incidents/accidents are reported, and Health & Safety concerns are reported to the Trust’s Safety & Compliance Manager. 
• To act as the designated on-site safety lead when the Pier Manager is absent, ensuring compliance with the Marine Safety Management System and statutory requirements, while the Pier Manager retains overall accountability when on island.
• To read and understand the Port Marine Safety Code, the accompanying Guide to Good Practice, and the Canna Harbour Marine Safety Management System.

Harbour operations: 

• To deliver crew and passenger support, i.e., embarking, disembarking and ground handling in line with expected customer service standards and the Trust’s Values.
• To assist the Pier Manager in facilitating island logistics, including issuing vehicle permits and gas/diesel/petrol orders.
• To undertake the Pier Manager’s operational duties during periods of absence, including coordinating vessel movements, liaising with ferry operators, and ensuring safe berthing and passenger handling.
• During periods when the Pier Manager is absent from the island, to exercise delegated day to day harbour master powers, as agreed with the Harbour Master and Operations Manager.
• To provide routine operational cover for the Pier Manager for a minimum of two days per week, ensuring continuity of essential harbour functions during regular days off.

Maintaining working relationships:

• Develop a strong relationship with the local community communicating and liaising on a regular basis  
• To represent the harbour in communications with CalMac, MCA, NLB and other stakeholders when the Pier Manager is unavailable.

General duties:

• To operate and supervise plant and equipment involved in material handling and supervise and undertake maintenance of plant and machinery at the harbour keeping accurate records of all works. 
• To report to the Operations Manager (or their nominee) any events or defects which may affect the operation of the harbour or its business. 
• To supervise and ensure the facilities are secure, clean, and maintained. 
• To attend meetings and training when requested that relate to the operation of the harbour. 
• To deputise for the Pier Manager in day-to-day decision making when the Pier Manager is absent from the island or where delegated, including weather related operational decisions, emergency response coordination and prioritisation of harbour tasks.
• To maintain accurate operational records and reporting in the Pier Manager’s absence.
• To provide day to day supervision and direction of harbour staff and contractors when deputising for the Pier Manager, within agreed operational parameters.

Note 

• The post-holder may also be required to perform duties, appropriate to the post, other than those given in the Key Responsibilities above.  
• The role is one for which the duties/responsibilities/accountabilities of the role do not require staff to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.  

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