THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has issued an urgent public statement about the serious risks and legal consequences associated with targeting vessels on the Milford Haven Waterway with lasers.

The Port said: “On the evening of April 6, two vessels, outbound from Carr Jetty towards Wear Spit, were targeted by a green laser light. The source of the laser is believed to have been from a vehicle in the Llanreath Car Park.

“Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, but the reckless act put the safety of the crew and the vessel at risk.

“Laser attacks on vessels are extremely dangerous. A laser directed at the wheelhouse windows of a vessel can momentarily blind or disorient the crew, compromising their ability to navigate safely. In safety-focused environments such as the Milford Haven Waterway, where vessels operate in close proximity to each other, even a brief distraction can have serious consequences.

“Targeting a vessel with a laser is a criminal offence under UK law, and any individuals caught using lasers to target vessels could face prosecution.”

Mike Ryan, Harbourmaster and Marine Director at the Port of Milford Haven said: “Laser attacks not only endanger the crew on board but also pose significant threats to the safety of other vessels, the public, and the environment.

“We urge the public to be aware of the significant risks associated with lasers pointing at vessels, and to report any suspicious activity to the local authorities immediately. Ensuring the safety of those operating on the Milford Haven Waterway is a shared responsibility, and we all play an important part in keeping it safe for everyone.”

in the United Kingdom, it is a criminal offence to shine or direct a laser beam towards oil tankers or any other vessels at sea if it dazzles or distracts, or is likely to dazzle or distract, the person in control of the vessel. This is stipulated under the Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Act 2018, which encompasses all modes of transport, including ships. ​

The Act specifies that a person commits an offence if they shine or direct a laser beam towards a moving or ready-to-move vehicle (which includes vessels) in a manner that dazzles or distracts, or is likely to dazzle or distract, the individual operating the vehicle. Offenders can face penalties of up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. ​

This legislation was introduced in response to increasing concerns about the dangers posed by laser pointers to the safety of various modes of transport, including maritime vessels. The law aims to deter individuals from engaging in such hazardous activities by imposing stringent penalties.

The Port of Milford Haven said it would like to thank the local police for their prompt response and ongoing vigilance in patrolling the area to ensure the safety of all waterway users.

The public are urged to report any incidents or suspicious activity to Dyfed Powys Police on 101.

PLANS to convert a garden shed to a holiday let at a Pembrokeshire seaside village with the highest rates of second homes and holiday lets in the county have been turned down.

In an application before Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Shabnam Banihashem of 19a Wesley Road, Little Haven sought permission to convert a rear garden shed, already replace with a summerhouse, to holiday let accommodation.

Local community council The Havens had objected to the scheme, saying it has concerns over parking and highway access arrangements, and concerns about impact on Highway traffic safety-related matters.

The park’s building conservation officer had recommended the plans be refused despite it being a “relatively hidden and constricted site” with a likely low impact on the conservation area, saying there “is likely to be an impact on character due to extra traffic – and the potential for setting a worrying development”.

An officer report recommending refusal said: “The Authority has concerns in connection with the proposal due to the impact upon the residential amenity of the host dwelling, and its immediate neighbours, the impact upon the character of the Little Haven Conservation Area due to the potential for additional traffic, and due to the proposed summerhouse being unsuitable in terms of size for the use of holiday letting.

“Ordinarily, when a proposal would result in the creation of a single residential unit, a financial contribution towards the provision of off-site affordable housing would be required [in accordance with policy].

“However, in this particular case, the unit being proposed would not be suitable for long term residential use due to the limited size of the unit. As such, had the proposal been deemed acceptable, the Authority would have imposed a condition restricting the use of the unit to C6 – short term holiday let.

“Given that it would not have then been possible for the unit to benefit from current permitted development rights between C3, C5 and C6 uses, a commuted sum would not have been sought.

“Overall, it is considered that the proposed development would have an unacceptable impact upon residential amenity, and upon the character of the Little Haven Conservation Area.”

The application was refused on grounds including “introducing a significantly greater level of noise and disturbance than the current situation, to the detriment of the residential amenity of neighbouring properties,” and impact on the conservation area.

A previous national park report, based on the second homes council tax premium payable to Pembrokeshire County Council,  has said nearly two-thirds of properties in Little Haven are either second homes or holiday lets.

For the main centres of settlements within the national park, second home rates, at the time of the 2023 report,  were: Tenby 28.07 per cent, Saundersfoot 29.35 per cent, St Davids 20.86 per cent and Newport 30.6 per cent.

For smaller communities within the national park, some of the figures were even higher: Amroth 47.37 per cent, Broad Haven 36.58 per cent, Dale 39.47 per cent, Lawrenny 28.57 per cent, Marloes 29.66 per cent, Moylegrove 22.64 per cent, and Wisemans Bridge 35.71 per cent.

Topping the list, by a large margin, were: Nolton Haven 60 per cent, and 62.96 per cent Little Haven.

Passengers diverted as Fishguard-Rosslare service still affected

FISHGUARD ferry services have faced another day of disruption, with early hopes of a return to normal sailings dashed again this morning (Tuesday, April 8).

The 1:30am sailing of the Stena Nordica was once again cancelled, marking several consecutive days without service on the Fishguard-Rosslare route. The vessel has not sailed since the early hours of Saturday (April 5).

Stena Line has blamed a combination of adverse weather and an ongoing technical issue for the disruption, which began when Saturday’s 2:00pm sailing was delayed and subsequently cancelled. This also resulted in the evening return crossing from Rosslare being called off.

Passengers affected by the cancellations were either transferred to the Holyhead-Dublin route or remained on board in the hope of a later departure.

Among those onboard on Saturday was George Holland, a regular ferry passenger, who had planned a day trip. He reported that the ferry was busy, with 96 vehicles and many families travelling at the start of the Easter holidays.

Despite expectations that Sunday services might resume, sailings remained suspended, and affected passengers were rerouted via Irish Ferries’ Pembroke Dock to Rosslare service.

Hopes were again raised for a resumption of service on Monday (April 7), but that afternoon’s 2:00pm sailing and the corresponding evening return crossing were also cancelled.

A spokesperson for Stena Line said: “Due to a technical issue with Stena Nordica, sailings on the Rosslare-Fishguard route were cancelled over the weekend and on Monday, April 7. Engineers are working onboard to resolve the issue, and it is currently anticipated that sailings will resume at 1:30am on Tuesday, April 8.”

However, the scheduled early morning crossing did not take place, with Stena’s website again citing a technical issue. Passengers were again transferred to Irish Ferries.

At the time of writing, today’s 2:00pm departure from Fishguard and the 7:30pm return from Rosslare remain on the schedule.