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SECTION XVI
MISCELLANEOUS
Arrangements for the burial on shore of persons who have died on board ship from infectious
disease.
No change.
THE CLEAN AIR ACTS 1956 AND 1968
THE DARK SMOKE (PERMITTED PERIODS) (VESSELS)
REGULATIONS 1958
It has been found that formal smoke observations are very time consuming and often in the
end do not necessarily establish evidence that an apparent contravention of the Regulations has
been committed. It is the policy, therefore, of the Authority to seek the co-operation of shipmasters
to maintain so far as possible a smoke free Port. To this end Port health inspectors
immediately notify the master of any ship which starts to make smoke of such density as to be
likely to contravene the Regulations, so as to terminate the emission. In this connection eighty
seven verbal notifications were given. However, during the year it was found necessary to carry
out forty smoke observations and in thirty six cases there was a minor infringement of the permitted
periods. There were thirty two inspections of plant and equipment with a further two
revisits to ensure that defects had been rectified. Two notices were served on the masters of
foreign owned vessels and a copy of the notice was sent to the country's Consulate. The reasons
for these contraventions were fully investigated and in view of the explanations received, no
legal action was taken. Warning letters were, however, sent to each owner.
THE TRANSPORTATION OF REFUSE BY LIGHTERS
The inspection of lighters engaged in this trade was maintained during the year, although
hampered by the launch "ALFRED ROACH" being out of commission 19th May - 9th August,
and again from 7th September to 16th November. The routine visits to refuse loading wharves
were continued with special emphasis on the lighters being loaded. The strike by dustmen in
August caught 31 loaded and part loaded barges in the upper river district. 30 of these were
sprayed regularly against flies and smell by the G.L.C. and 1 by a private company.
The following refuse wharves closed during 1972 —
Cremorne Wharf - May 1972
Sunderland Wharf - July 1972
Chelsea Wharf — December 1972, with the possibility of being used in emergencies
during the following 6 months.
These closures are a result of opening Cringle Street refuse transfer station at Battersea in
June, 1972. This station was averaging 500 tons of refuse daily, loaded to barges by December,
1972.
Only the following 5 riverside premises remain for loading refuse lighters -
Feather's Wharf, Northumberland Wharf, Walbrook Wharf, Grosvenor Dock and Cringle Street.
There are still two lighterage companies remaining in this trade.
HOUSE BOATS
General inspections of moorings were carried out during the year, and an individual inspection
survey commenced, beginning at the Chelsea moorings. It is possible that these moorings
may be moved due to a road development plan in their area.
Repairs were carried out by various owners when their attention was drawn to infringements
of the Authority's Byelaws relating to house boats. No official action was required.
One case of a house boat with a flea infestation was dealt with in May. Identification by the
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