Environmental sites
There is an existing quiet zone lying to the south of a line from Patchins Point to South Haven Point where there is an advisory speed limit of 6 knots. This area allows yachtsmen and other recreationalists a quiet anchorage in which to enjoy the beauty of the southern harbour without the bustle associated with the northern channels.

The provision of this quiet are has helped to reduce adverse impacts on the flora and fauna of the undeveloped mudlfats and shallow inlets which characterise much of the southern shores. Many of the redshanks which nest in Poole Harbour do so in the saltmarsh of this area. The Quiet Area is a ‘safe haven’ for birds and wildlife as well as for humans. It is intended to maintain the current policy against changes in land use and excessive recreational activity. Personal Watercraft have their own area exempt from the speed limit and are not allowed in the quiet area.

River Frome
The Environment Agency (the 'Agency') works to protect and improve the environment in England and Wales through the integrated management of air, land and water. This involves regulating industry, reducing pollution and waste, protecting wildlife habitats, providing defence from flooding, managing water resources and promoting water-based recreation.

The Agency's work contributes to the Government's sustainable development strategy and is aimed at improving the quality of life for present and future generations.

Some of the activities undertaken by the Agency in the vicinity of Poole Harbour include:

* Monitoring of water quality in the Harbour to assess compliance with a number of European Directives including the Shellfish Waters and the Bathing Waters Directives;

* Partner in the construction of the Poole Town Quay flood alleviation scheme;

* Monitoring river flow in the River Frome and River Piddle, both of which flow into the Harbour; and

* Enforcing the four-knot speed limit along the River Frome downstream of Wareham.

To find out if your home or business is in the floodplain and, if it is, how to protect your family and property, ring the Agency's Floodline 0845 988 1188 or log on to www.environment-agency.gov.uk

If you see anybody fly-tipping or polluting land or water, ring the Agency's free, 24-hour emergency hotline 0800 80 70 60.

For general enquiries, ring 08708 506 506 1 this will connect you directly to your local Agency office.

The local office for Poole Harbour is the South Wessex Area Office in Blandford.

Rivers House
Sunrise Business Park
Higher Shaftesbury Road
Blandford Forum
Dorset DT11 8ST

If you want to know more about the Agency or just wish to browse through a host of environmental information visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk


Poole Lifting Bridge
The bridge will open:

0730 - Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays only
0930; 1030; 1200; 1430; 1630; 1830; 2130 - Every Day
1930 - (May to September only)
2345 - (By Request)

Holes Bay Quiet Area
North of Poole lifting bridge the channel runs up to Cobbs Quay. In this area there is a mandatory speed limit of 6 knots. Take particular care that your wash does not cause inconvenience or damage to other users.

Baiter Public Slipway
There is a public slipway and large car park at Baiter. The following charges apply:
1 Hour - £0.80
2 Hours - £1.40
3 Hours - £2.20
4 hours - £3.10
Over 4 Hours and up to 10 hours £6.50

6pm to 8am - £1.00

With Boat Launching
8.00 a.m. to Midnight - £9.00
After 2.30 p.m - £7.00

Mitchells And Lathams boatyards
Turks Lane Whitecliff Poole - Tel: 01202 747857

North Channel/Moorings
Small craft are encouraged to use this channel when convenient. It is not used for larger ships except in an emergency.

Middle Ship Channel
This runs from the ferry port to the Harbour Entrance. The boat channel runs along the south side.

Small Boat Channel
Small craft use the boat channel whenever possible and keep out of the shipping channel when occupied by a larger vessel.

Wych Channel/Fuel Barge
The fuel barge is moored between the Middle Ship and Wych Channels in the vicinity of Aunt Betty Buoy. The depth at MLWS is 2.5 metres. VHF Listening Watch Channel 37. Vessels should approach from the stern (the end flying flags).

Furzey Island – BP Operations
The Furzey Squirrel, motorised barge, plies back and fore to Furzey Island carrying stores for the BP/Amoco Oil Field.

Shell Bay Marine
Ferry Road, Studland, Poole, Dorset BH19 3BA
Tel: 01929 450340
Fax: 01929 450570

Sandbanks Yacht Company
Panorama Road, Sandbanks, Poole
Tel: 01202 707500

East Looe Channel
The East Looe Channel is well marked with buoys and a directional light, but should only be attempted in favourable tidal and weather conditions.

Hook Sands
The Hook Sands can be hazardous. Avoid crossing them unless you have intimate local knowledge.

Swash Channel/Boat Channel
Return to Leisure Page The Swash Channel is well marked by pairs of buoys and dredged to a minimum depth of 6 metres under Chart Datum. Wherever possible small craft should navigate in the Boat Channel, especially when commercial shipping is using the main channel.

A flashing orange light at South Haven CCTV mast indicates that a large vessel is about to transit the harbour entrance. Keep well out of the way of these vessels.

Harbour Limit
The seaward boundary of the 10 knot speed limit is an area 1400 metres from South Haven Point, but remember there is also a 5 knot speed limit within 200 metres of Poole and Bournemouth beaches.

Approach to Poole
If approaching from the Solent, the entrance is identifiable from the high cliffs of Anvil Point. When nearer, the rocks of Old Harry (Handfast Point) are clearly visible. The Swash Channel is clearly marked.

When leaving for, or approaching from west, beware of the race at Handfast Point on the ebb tide. The Harbour is accessible at all states of the tide and is only dangerous in very strong S and SE winds, particularly on the ebb tide. The entrance channel ‘The Swash’ passes between the Training Bank on the western side and Hook Sands to the east. Be careful of the Chain Ferry, just at the entrance, as the ebb can run 3 to 4 knots.

Useful telephone numbers

Lifeboat
In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard

Poole Boathouse - (01202) 665607

Coastguard
Portland - (01305) 760439
Poole - (01202) 670776
Poole Bridge (01202) 674115


Poole Harbour Commissioners
Switchboard - (01202) 440200
Harbour Master - (01202) 440233
Town Quay Berthing - (01202) 440200 (Ex 360)
Harbour Control - (01202) 440230

Radio Frequencies
Calling and Distress - Channel 16
Harbour Control - Channel 14

Fire and Rescue
In emergency dial 999

Police (01202) 552099(Ext.3276)
Ambulance In emergency, dial 999
Doctor (01202) 679234
Dentist (01202) 672138
Hospital (10202) 665511
Chemist (01202) 678001

Bournemouth Int. Airport - (01202) 364000
Weather Call - 0891 500457
Dolphin Taxi (01202) 777879
British Rail Enquiries - (01202) 292474
Tourist Information - (01202) 253253
Customs & Excise - (01202) 685157
Wilts & Dorset Bus - (01202) 673555
Condor Ferries - (01305) 761551
Brittany Ferries - 0990 360360

Solent Harbours
Beaulieu - (01590) 616200
Bembridge - (01983) 872828
Chichester - (01243) 512301
Cowes - (01983) 293952
Hamble - (01489) 576387
Langstone - (01292) 463419
Littlehampton - (01903) 721215
Lymington - (01590) 672014
Newport - (01983) 525994
Newtown - (01983) 521424
Poole - (01202) 440233
Portsmouth City - (02392) 292391
Portsmouth - (02392) 723124
Southampton - (01703) 330022
Weymouth - (01305) 266278
Yarmouth - (01983) 760321