Staff roles

The Deputy Queen’s Harbour Master (DQHM) acts for QHM whenever required and particularly for operational matters. He is primarily responsible for the production and distribution of the Daily Movements signal as the authority for Naval movements within the Dockyard Port, liaising with all concerned to ensure correct allocation of berths, tugs, pilots and rigger support for the berthing of naval and commercial vessels. He also monitors all maritime activity within the Harbour to ensure regularity and the safety of navigation.

The Assistant Queen’s Harbour Master (AQHM) is responsible for the safety management of all maritime events taking place within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth. These events range from minor sailing competitions, cross-Solent swims, kayaking, to major power boat races and ocean sailing races that start or finish in the Solent, such as Global Challenge and the Volvo round the world race. He also ensues that QHM’s obligations for nature conservation and statutory planning consultation requests are fulfilled, working with Natural England, Solent Forum, local conservation groups and the planning departments of local councils.

The Chief Admiralty Pilot (CAP) is the senior professional advisor to QHM on all matters of pilotage. He is in charge of all the Admiralty pilots in Portsmouth. He ensures that the pilots provide 24-hour coverage for pilotage and Port Control duties in the harbour. He also liaises with the Marine Service Provider and DQHM to allocate suitable tugs to support all movements and provides emergency support measures when necessary.

The Harbour Control Manager (HCM) is line Manager for 10 Port Control Assistants who maintain a watch in Harbour Control, controlling vessel traffic on a daily basis. He is responsible for maintaining the Radars and equipment used within Harbour Control. The HCM acts as the focal point for investigating, on QHM’s behalf, all incidents, including oil pollution incidents that occur on the water within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth.

The Port Surveyor has the task of ensuring navigational safety throughout the Dockyard Port by maintaining all the Aids to Navigation, either fixed, floating, lit or day marks. He is also the main point of contact for all matters hydrographic; e.g. charting and tidal information. He issues the Local Notices to Mariners and Navigation Warnings on QHM’s behalf. In addition he is responsible for the licensing of all moorings, carrying out surveys of small craft usage and compiling astronomical data for local users. He also issues licences for Personal Watercraft within the Dockyard Port Portsmouth.