Harbour Control

Poole Harbour Control is a 24/7 all year-round vessel monitoring centre providing essential information to commercial and leisure marine traffic. It is the first point of contact for all craft especially in the event of an incident or accident.

Harbour Control is manned as Follows:

08:00 until Midnight
Between the hours of Midnight and 08:00 the Harbour Control Officer will maintain a watch in Poole Harbour Control for commercial ship movements and emergencies only and will be available by telephone at all times during this period.

Harbour Control: 01202 440230

The Harbour Control Officer (HCO) has a number of resources available to keep watch on various activities, day and night, including Radar, CCTV AIS and the latest in 3D vessel monitoring equipment. The HCO is also assisted by several patrol vessels and organisations around the harbour as well as harbour users.

If there’s an accident

No matter how minor, if you are involved in, or witness a marine incident or accident within Poole Harbour and its approach channels, you must report it as soon as possible.

You can report an incident here and report forms are available in the harbour office, but an initial report should be made to poole harbour control or to the harbour master’s patrol launch, call sign ‘VANGUARD’ on VHF Channel 14.

The Harbour Control Officer should be contacted in the event of an emergency in the harbour using:

VTS Information:

VHF Channel: 14

Call sign: “Poole Harbour Control”

Telephone: 01202 440230

Email: harbourcontrol@phc.co.uk