DEFA Timber Activity at Ramsey Harbour

Summary

A request was made for details on DEFA's timber export operations at Ramsey Harbour, including contracts, environmental assessments, and internal communications. The response disclosed operational constraints, vessel specifications, and correspondence regarding port logistics, but withheld specific commercial agreements and cost figures under redaction.

Key Facts

• Timber cargo operations at Ramsey Harbour are restricted to 06:00 and 19:00 to avoid statutory nuisance in the built-up area.
• The proposed export vessels have a cargo capacity of approximately 1200 tonnes with a draft of 3.30m to 3.70m.
• The Department of Infrastructure (DOI) is coordinating with DEFA regarding quay storage and port options for the timber export.
• Specific commercial agreements and the cost per metric tonne for cargo were redacted from the released documents.
• The operation is expected to be quieter than previous scrap boat activities at the harbour.

Data Disclosed

• 06:00
• 19:00
• 1200 tonnes
• 1300 tonnes
• 3.30m
• 3.70m
• 63m
• 65m
• 10.50m
• 11.50m
• 24 September 2024
• 09 August 2024
• August 6, 2024
• 2025-04-16
• 2025-05-15

Original Request

1. Timber Operations and Commercial Activity - Details of the commercial activity currently being conducted by DEFA at Ramsey Harbour, including the purpose of the log storage and the identity of any companies purchasing or exporting the timber. - Copies of any agreements or contracts between DEFA and private commercial entities relating to the sale or export of logs stored on this site. 2. Environmental and Operational Considerations: - Any internal assessments or documentation regarding the environmental impact of this activity, including noise, vibration, light pollution, or obstruction to residential properties nearby. - Any environmental impact assessments (formal or informal) or operational guidelines DEFA has used to ensure activities meet acceptable standards near residential homes. 3. Internal Communication and Oversight: - All correspondence within DEFA or between DEFA and DOI regarding the decision to begin or expand timber operations at Ramsey Harbour over the past 24 months. - Any records relating to resident concerns, impact on neighbouring properties, or community engagement/consultation regarding these operations. 4. Duration and Future Use: - Any documentation outlining the expected duration or frequency of timber operations at this site. - Any planned changes or review processes related to this activity, particularly in light of its effect on residential amenity.

Data Tables (2)

Full Response Text

From: Gooberman, David (DOI) To: Bolt, Jason Subject: FW: IOM Timber Export - Harbour Date: 24 September 2024 12:19:00 Attachments: Berth information image001.png image002.jpg image003.png image004.png Hi Jason,   Resending last months email as just discussed.   David   From: Gooberman, David (DOI) Sent: 09 August 2024 14:11 To: Bolt, Jason Jason.Bolt@gov.im Cc: Lees, Andrew Andrew.Lees@gov.im Subject: IOM Timber Export - Harbour   Hi Both,   God to meet earlier this week and here is some info that you asked for which should hopefully assist:   1.           Question – Charges for the berth.     Answer – The cost for the cargo is per MT. There are no extra port charges on top of this (supply of fresh water aside).   2.           Question – What size vessel can the berth take Answer – See attached excel document that should assist along with further useful information.   3.           Question – Do the berths offer 24 operation? Answer – With advice from environmental health we would need to be cautious of creating a statutory nuisance so unfortunately due to being in a built up area. Cargo operations are only permitted between 06:00 and 19:00 in Port St Mary and Ramsey to avoid complaints from our neighbours although. There are no restrictions in Douglas (IOMSPCo often operate at weird hours) however we would still need to be mindful of our neighbours but with only a few movements a year this should not be an issue. Its also noted that the operation will be much quieter that scrap boats that have previously operated. We are just checking with planning.   4.           Question - Can the contactor view the ports? Answer – Yes. If you pass the contact details through somebody can show then around when they are next on the Island.   Hope that helps for now.   REDACTED REDACT Thanks     David Gooberman Director of Harbours Harbours Division | Department of Infrastructure | Second Floor | Sea Terminal Building| Douglas | Isle of Man | IM1 2RF   ( Tel: (01624) 685184 * Email:David.Gooberman2@gov.im :Web: www.gov.im/infrastructure         From: Gooberman, David (DOI) Sent: Tuesday, August 6, 2024 8:34 AM To: Bolt, Jason Jason.Bolt@gov.im Cc: Lees, Andrew Andrew.Lees@gov.im Subject: RE: IOM Timber Export - Harbour   Hi Jason,   Perfect. Of quay storage is the game changer for us and I’m getting the team to compile  a list of ports with their vessel size restrictions.   David   From: Bolt, Jason Jason.Bolt@gov.im Sent: Tuesday, August 6, 2024 7:58 AM To: Gooberman, David (DOI) David.Gooberman2@gov.im Cc: Lees, Andrew Andrew.Lees@gov.im Subject: FW: IOM Timber Export - Harbour   Hi David   I have received some further outline information in relation to the timber export idea. Hope this helps before our meeting tomorrow.   Thanks   Jason   From: @euroforest.co.uk> Sent: Tuesday, August 6, 2024 7:26 AM To: Bolt, Jason Jason.Bolt@gov.im Cc: @euroforest.co.uk> Subject: RE: IOM Timber Export - Harbour   Caution: This email is from an external sender. Please take care before opening any attachments or following any links.  REDACTED REDACTED Hi Jason,   Yes, both made it home fine thank you.   Thanks for your and your teams time last week. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and found it very informative.   With reference to timber export from the island, our plan would be to use vessels with an approximate cargo capacity of 1200 tonnes. Approximate vessel specification below:   Deadweight tonnage : 1200 > 1300 on 3.30m > 3.70m draft Overall Length :  63 > 65m Beam : 10.50 > 11.50m   Until we know what the port / quay options are we can’t be more specific about the vessel type that we would plan to use, but generally we can source a vessel to suit the port.   We would initially utilise loading facilities that we would bring from the UK, but if we can get to a point where we export regular quantities from the island, we would likely look to purchase a loader specifically for use on the island that could be left in an external yard when not in operation. Example loader details below:   Wheeled Liebherr LH40 or similar fitted with roundwood log grab.   Reach 16m Length 5.92m Width 3.0m (Stabilising feet out 4.7m) Operating Weight 36 -38 tonnes   Off quay storage – Local stock yard to be secured by Euroforest where cargo will be built / stored prior to vessel loading day. All material will be hauled from storage yard to quay on the day of loading. Euroforest will provide timber crane wagons to assist with this secondary haulage operation. This avoids having to store any material on quayside.   Estimate 8 > 12 hours loading time (one day). On completion quay would be swept and cleaned and left in condition prior to loading.   I hope the above provides you with enough information to start your discussions with the director of harbours, but if you require any more information at this stage, please do not hesitate to contact me.   With reference to , if you could let us have his contact details that would be useful.       Regards,     REDACTED REDACTED   Office: Mobile:  Web : www.euroforest.co.uk    

The information contained in this message and files transmitted with it are sent in the strictest confidence for

the addressee only. It is intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain legally privileged information. If you have received this email in error you are requested to preserve its confidentiality and advise the sender of the error in transmission. # It is the responsibility of the addressee to scan this email and any attachments for computer viruses or other defects. The sender does not accept liability for any loss or damage of any nature, however caused, which may result directly or indirectly from this email or any file attached. # Our e-mail system is subject to random monitoring by us. # Euroforest Limited is a limited company registered in England with number 1153003, and with its registered office at Karlstad House, 3 Merchants Drive, Parkhouse, Carlisle, CA3 0JW. ##       From: Bolt, Jason Jason.Bolt@gov.im Sent: Friday, August 2, 2024 2:35 PM To: @euroforest.co.uk> Cc: @euroforest.co.uk> Subject: IOM Timber Export - Harbour   Hi   Hope you made both made it home without too much issue.   Just to say it was a pleasure to meet you and and I personally wanted to thank you both again for your time.   I have a arranged a meeting next week with the Director of Harbours to discuss opportunities and constraints in using their facilities for timber exports (initial feedback would seem positive). I wonder if you are able to furnish me with any information in relation to potential export operations – size of boat/barge, capacity, loading capabilities and possible turnaround timeframe. Anything you could provide would be a great help at this stage.   On a separate note, do you want me to put you in contact with our other Island based contractor – , prior to your work permit application? I have not engaged with him yet on the matter, but will speak with him if you are still interested in exploring a possible working relationship.   Jason     Jason Bolt BSc(Hons) Head of Forestry, Amenity and Lands   Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture |Forestry, Amenity & Lands Directorate | Thie Slieau Whallian | Foxdale Road | St. Johns | Isle of Man | IM4 3AS   REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED tel: +44 (0)1624 686598 email: jason.bolt@gov.im mob: +44 (0)7624 451824 web: www.gov.im/defa     Isle of Man. Giving you freedom to flourish WARNING: This email message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. You must not copy or deliver it to any other person or use the contents in any unauthorised manner without the express permission of the sender. If you are not the intended addressee of this e-mail, please delete it and notify the sender as soon as possible. No employee or agent is authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of any of the Departments or Statutory Boards of the Isle of Man Government with any party by e-mail without express written confirmation by a Manager of the relevant Department or Statutory Board. RAAUE: S’preevaadjagh yn çhaghteraght post-l shoh chammah’s coadanyn erbee currit marish as ta shoh coadit ec y leigh. Cha nhegin diu coipal ny cur eh da peiagh erbee elley ny ymmydey yn chooid t’ayn er aght erbee dyn kied leayr veih’n choyrtagh. Mannagh nee shiu yn enmyssagh kiarit jeh’n phost-l shoh, doll-shiu magh eh, my sailliu, as cur-shiu fys da’n choyrtagh cha leah as oddys shiu. Cha nel kied currit da failleydagh ny jantagh erbee conaant y yannoo rish peiagh ny possan erbee lesh post-l er son Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh erbee jeh Reiltys Ellan Vannin dyn co-niartaghey scruit leayr veih Reireyder y Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh t’eh bentyn rish. Berth Port Max Length (m) Coping height in metres (Above chart datum and if known) Chart datum depth (Depth before tidal constraints) Any issues on berth Victoria Pier Berth 3 Douglas 130 10.026 5.6 Any easterly wind above force 4 can make the berth untenable. Large number of berth bookings during summer season with Cruise vessels Watch house berth Douglas 75 8.211 -0.7 Vessel will be required to dry out as berth is tidal. Tidal constrainst may cause the vessel to be neeped if not planned correctly Office berth Douglas 55 7.206 -1.2 Vessel will be required to dry out as berth is tidal. Tidal constrainst may cause the vessel to be neeped if not planned correctly Alfred Pier Port St Mary 80 8.67 3.5 Southerly and south easterly wind can make the berth untenable above force 4-5 Peel Breakwater Peel 90 8.02 5.4 4.7 metre CD restriction on approach due to outlet pipework in Bay. Berth becomes untenable with northernly winds above BF 4-5 From: To: MacDonald, Michael; Bolt, Jason; Gooberman, David (DOI); Subject: RE: IOM Timber Exports Date: 13 January 2025 12:50:06 Attachments: image001.png image002.png image003.png image004.png image005.png image006.png image007.png image008.png image009.png image010.png image011.jpg image012.png image013.png image014.png image015.png image016.jpg image017.jpg image018.png image019.png Caution: This email is from an external sender. Please take care before opening any attachments or following any links.  Thanks Michael, sounds ideal.   Look forward to meeting you tomorrow at 0900hrs.   Regards,           @euroforest.co.uk www.euroforest.co.uk     The information contained in this message and any files transmitted are sent in the strictest confidence for the addressee only and may contain legally privileged information. If you have received this email in error you are requested to preserve its confidentiality and advise the sender of the error in transmission. It is the responsibility of the addressee to scan this email and any attachments for computer viruses or other defects. The sender does not accept liability for any loss or damage caused which may result directly or indirectly from this email or any file attached.   PLEASE NOTE- we do not use email to advise of changes to bank details, this will always be done by telephone through the normal contacts.  If you do receive such emails, please call us to advise.  Be alert to prevent fraud.   Our e-mail system is subject to random monitoring by us.   Euroforest Limited is a limited company registered in England with number 1153003, and with its registered office at Karlstad House, 3 Merchants Drive, Parkhouse, Carlisle, CA3 0JW.     From: MacDonald, Michael Michael.MacDonald@gov.im REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED Sent: 13 January 2025 12:48 To: @euroforest.co.uk>; Bolt, Jason Jason.Bolt@gov.im; Gooberman, David (DOI) David.Gooberman2@gov.im; @euroforest.co.uk Subject: RE: IOM Timber Exports   Hi   0900hrs would be good.  The Harbour offices are on the 2nd floor of the Sea Terminal in Douglas, we could initial meet there and if needed we could we could arrange a quick tour around the port.   Regards   Michael MacDonald Ports Manager (Harbour Master) Department of Infrastructure - Harbours Division Isle of Man Harbours and Coastguard Sea Terminal Building Douglas, IM1 2RF Tel: (01624) 694384 Mob: (07624) 413753 E-mail: michael.macdonald@coastguard.dot.gov.im    P Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.         From: @euroforest.co.uk> Sent: 13 January 2025 12:44 To: MacDonald, Michael Michael.MacDonald@gov.im; Bolt, Jason Jason.Bolt@gov.im; Gooberman, David (DOI) David.Gooberman2@gov.im; @euroforest.co.uk> Subject: RE: IOM Timber Exports   Caution: This email is from an external sender. Please take care before opening any attachments or following any links.  Afternoon Micheal,   Thanks for coming back to us. 0830 / 0900 hrs Tuesday would work for and me if it suits all?   Is it best to meet at the Port of Douglas? REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED E-mail: michael.macdonald@coastguard.dot.gov.im    P Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.         From: Bolt, Jason Jason.Bolt@gov.im Sent: 13 January 2025 07:35 To: Gooberman, David (DOI) David.Gooberman2@gov.im; @euroforest.co.uk>; @euroforest.co.uk>; MacDonald, Michael Michael.MacDonald@gov.im Subject: RE: IOM Timber Exports   Hi David / Mac   If you could aim for a suitable time other than Tuesday afternoon, it would be much appreciated, I have scheduled a meeting with my CO.   Thanks   Jas   From: Gooberman, David (DOI) David.Gooberman2@gov.im Sent: 12 January 2025 16:56 To: @euroforest.co.uk>; euroforest.co.uk>; MacDonald, Michael Michael.MacDonald@gov.im Cc: Bolt, Jason Jason.Bolt@gov.im Subject: RE: IOM Timber Exports   Hi ,   Jason gave us the heads up on Friday and I have asked Mac to drop you a line Monday to work out when the best time is to meet up on Tuesday or Wednesday AM.   Thanks   David     David Gooberman Director of Harbours Harbours Division | Department of Infrastructure | Second Floor | Sea Terminal Building| Douglas | Isle of Man | IM1 2RF   ( Tel: (01624) 685184 REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED * Email:David.Gooberman2@gov.im :Web: www.gov.im/infrastructure       From: @euroforest.co.uk> Sent: 11 January 2025 12:11 To: Gooberman, David (DOI) David.Gooberman2@gov.im; euroforest.co.uk>; MacDonald, Michael Michael.MacDonald@gov.im Cc: Bolt, Jason Jason.Bolt@gov.im Subject: RE: IOM Timber Exports   Caution: This email is from an external sender. Please take care before opening any attachments or following any links.  Hi David,   Both and I will be over on the Island Monday to Wednesday next week. Apologies for the short notice but I was hoping it would be possible to meet with yourself and Mac in the Port of Douglas to view the potential quay facilities. We have viewed previously with Jason but it would be beneficial to meet with yourselves in order to finalise the options available to us.   You are probably aware we have met with of WS Me

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