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"(a) The master of a foreign ship which is in a port in Great Britain shall be authorised to
procure such quantity of drugs and preparations as may be certified by the medical officer
of health of the port health authority within whose jurisdiction the ship is or, in his
absence, by the assistant medical officer of health, to be necessary for the equipment
of the ship until it reaches its home port.
(b) A person who supplies a drug or preparation in accordance with a certificate given
under this paragraph shall retain the certificate and mark it with the date on which the
drug or preparation was supplied and keep it on his premises so as to be at all times
available for inspection."
VISITORS AND STUDENTS
Facilities have been provided during the year to students of the London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, the Royal Institute of Public Health, the Army School of Health, the
National College of Food Technology, and the Battersea College of Technology to see aspects
of port health work relating to their studies.
The Port Health Authority also received visitors from Cyprus, Eire, France, Malta, Spain and
Sweden and accorded training in specialised work to Health Inspectors from the Admiralty and
the Newhaven Urban District Council.
It is always gratifying to receive letters from overseas students who have visited the Port of
London, particularly so when they appreciate the attention which has been given to them. An
example of this is quoted below from a letter received by the Chief Port Health Inspector from a
Health Inspector in Ceylon
"You may be glad to know that I have been promoted to the Special Grade of the Public
Health Inspectors Service with effect from the 1st October, 1956. The special training I
had under you had helped me to obtain this promotion. Whenever I do any work I always
think of your hard work, perseverance and enthusiasm that had brought great success and
attainment in your career. I am always following your footsteps and I hope that I will bear
the torch of progress high in Ceylon and see that the confidence which you have in me
would not be betrayed."
LAUNCHES AND STATIONS
It has become a feature of the launch service to report the regular and efficient performance
throughout the year and this is in good measure due to the enthusiasm and interest taken by the
crews who are not reluctant to carry out running maintenance from day to day. They genuinely
realise that 'a stitch in time saves nine'.
Only one launch was withdrawn from continuous service during the year. The "ALFRED
ROACH" was returned to the builders for routine repairs and overhaul, which included the
opportunity to conduct a complete survey of engines and construction. Nothing unexpected
was discovered; wear and tear defects were normal and the chemical action attributed mainly
to the polluted river water did not appear to have unreasonably affected the underwater fittings.
Having completed satisfactory trials, the launch was returned to service and continued with
efficient performance and appearance on the Lower River district. Unfortunately, a major
crack developed in the port engine cylinder block late in December, but this was promptly
reported and repaired by the crew without any substantial dislocation of the Station duty.
The "HOWARD DEIGHTON" is particularly engaged on boarding duties and performs quite
well in spite of age and relatively slow speed for this class of work nowadays.
Although the Hulk "HYGEIA" continues to function satisfactorily as a Station and launch
moorings, some doubts must naturally be raised about the condition of the underw ater shell
plating. It is twenty years since the plates were exposed for inspection and the only means of a
proper survey are provided in slipping the hulk in a repair yard. Such an undertaking will
derange the normal functions at Gravesend and no definite time limit can be established which
considers the slipping, survey, possible defects and repairs.
To some extent,any decisions taken c oncerning the futur: of the " HYGEIA" and the "HOWARD
DEIGHTON" must be related to future policy relevant to the Station.
Operational benefits have accrued since transferring from the mooring barge "UPLEES" to
the pier at Woolwich and these have added to the satisfaction of all concerned. It is hoped that
an arrangement between the P.L.A. and this Authority will mature and the launches will be able
to take fuel from stocks at the pier, thereby saving much valuable time and effort spent in fuelling
at the upper and lower reaches of the river.
Both the "ALFRED ROBERTSON" and "FREDERICK WHITTINGHAM" will soon be due for
periodic overall survey and refit which ought to be undertaken early in the new year. Neither
show evidence of major deterioration, although the shell plating at the stern has suffered from
erosion and vibration is increasing. Loss of speed will also be investigated.
At present, all launches are in regular and satisfactory service.
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