FAQ's For Leisure Activities

WHERE CAN I LAUNCH MY BOAT?

Slipways can be found at Castletown (Council owned and free)
Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy (pay at reception)
Ferrybridge Marine (call to book and pay)

DO I HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING TO GO AFLOAT IN THE HARBOUR?

All vessels are required to pay harbour dues, this includes SUP, kayak, & canoes

WHERE CAN I FIND SAFETY INFORMATION FOR THE HARBOUR?

This can be found on our website, there are lots of handouts which cover various sports and rules of the harbour e.g. where you can and can not go.
Look under the Leisure Section and check out the Local Notice to Mariners

CAN I KITESURF IN THE HARBOUR?

Only those who have received a level of training  can do a deep water pack down and self rescue and have purchased a Kitesurfing Permit.  You will also need insurance for this.
Kitesurfing without a permit can lead to prosecution.

WHERE CAN I GO IN THE HARBOUR IN MY BOAT?

It is easier to list where you can't go. 
Vessels are prohibited from entering the Controlled Area around the commercial dockyard and the small harbour at Bincleaves in the NE corner of the harbour.

WHERE CAN I PAY MY HARBOUR DUES?

The easiest way is to pay online here.
Alternatively check our list of local agents who sell harbour dues on our behalf

WHERE CAN I GO DIVING?

We have produced a chart to show where you can and cant go diving, you can download this here.  

CAN I GET THROUGH THE PORT TO GO FISHING OR DIVING IN BALACLAVA BAY?

Unfortunately you can’t, the port is a secure establishment and members of the public are not allowed access.
You can dive from a boat in the bay but you must not land on the beach, there are signs to indicate this.

WHAT ARE THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT THE ENTRANCES FOR?

These will be turned on to indicate there is a commercial vessel going in or out. 3 fixed green indicates a ship coming in and 3 fixed reds mean there is a ship going out. If you see 3 flashing red then this means there is an emergency and  the entrance is closed to ALL traffic

I WOULD LIKE TO GO FISHING OFF THE BREAKWATERS?

This is prohibited due to Heath & Safety concerns and insurance liabilities.
Landing is against the bylaws and may lead to prosecution.

CAN I GO AND LOOK AROUND THE BREAKWATER FORT?

Landing at the Breakwater Fort is prohibited due to Heath & Safety concerns and insurance liabilities.  Many of the buildings are in a poor state of repair, there is signage indicating this. Landing is against the bylaws and may lead to prosecution.

WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE IN THE HARBOUR?

You can access the live wind speed on the breakwaters here

WHEN I COME INTO THE HARBOUR, WHAT SORT OF BOATS WILL I ENCOUNTER?

You might find a range of ships of different sizes; warships, yachts, sailing dinghies (mono hulls, catamarans, foiling types), motorboats, large and small, pleasure tripping boats, diving boats, fishing boats, stand up paddleboards, windsurfers, foiling windsurfers, kite surfers and foiling kitesurfers.

At times it can be very busy and all vessels should maintain a good lookout and operate inline with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

I AM A BERTH HOLDER IN PORTLAND MARINA, WHAT DO MY DUES COVER?

Portland Marina Port and Harbour Dues cover you for the vessel berthed and a tender up to 3.05m, marked with the vessels name.

Any other vessels used such as tenders or SIBS over 3.05m, SUPs, Kayaks, towable inflatables etc will need separate dues/permits.

Windsurf, kitesurf, SUP, wind SUP, kite foil, windsurf foil, E-foil boards, kayaks and small inflatable boats are all classed as vessels

1

WHAT IF I OWN MULTIPLE TYPES OF SMALL VESSEL?

If you own kitesurf and windsurf equipment, you will only need a kitesurf permit as it covers you for kite surf, windsurf, SUP, foil variants of the latter and kayak equipment.

2

WHEN AM I REQUIRED TO PAY SEPARATE DUES?

An example would be if you owned a RIB and windsurf equipment; you would need to pay for separate harbour dues for both.

3

HOW LONG DOES MY PERMIT LAST AND WHEN DOES IT RUN FROM?

If you purchase an annual permit, it will be active from the 1st of January through to the 31st of December for the year of purchase; it does not start from the day of purchase and run for a year from that date.

If you purchase a seasonal permit, it will run from 1st April through to the 1st October for the year of purchase.