Please click here for the 2024-2025 Harbour Dues schedule, and here to view and download a Harbour Dues Form.

We are often asked why there is a distinction between Harbour Dues charges and mooring charges and what the purpose is of Harbour Dues.

Every Harbour within the UK has statutory duties to perform in managing, running and providing the ability for boats to enter, exit and navigate safely within the Harbour.

The scope of Harbour Dues extends to the use of the harbour as a harbour, or the infrastructure or essential installations of a harbour, and does not extend to charges for the use of any additional or optional services, such as mooring charges for private yachts.

To differing degrees, the costs that relate to Harbour Dues are aggregated from insurance charges, marina staff salaries, admin office salaries, audit and accountancy, any Crown Office rent, waste disposal, dredging and maintenance of any channels, annual surveys and costs associated with duties to establish and perform within the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC).

These charges are levied on a daily basis or longer for visiting boats, and on an annual basis for boats permanently moored, berthed or dry sailed within the Harbour. Take for example, the Harbour is entitled to charge Harbour Dues to the houseboats but does not as they do not navigate around the Harbour and so do not contribute to the applicable costs.

Mooring charges relate to the ability for any boat to berth or moor within the Harbour, from a short lunchtime stopover to being berthed on an annual licence. These charges relate to the Harbour providing all associated berthing and mooring facilities, together with any on-shore facilities such as showers, toilets, car parking, launching slipways and harbour water taxis together with the initial provision and capital expense for all equipment and the ensuing maintenance of the same.

In conclusion, the simplest description of Harbour Dues charges is as per para 2 above ... providing the ability for boats to enter, exit and navigate safely within the Harbour.