Harbour Dues

At Poole Harbour, we have an excellent reputation for being one of the safest and most clean and well-managed harbours in the whole country. However, this would not be possible if it were not for the harbour dues that are paid by vessels that pass through or dock at the harbour.

These dues are payments that contribute significantly to the general upkeep of the harbour and are required by law. Continue reading to find out more about what these dues fund and what happens if you refuse to pay them.

When you pay harbour dues, we at Poole Harbour Commissioners re-invest it into the harbour through training, maintenance and other similar measures. The charges are, ultimately, for the conservation of the harbour and allow us to police it as well as continue its general upkeep properly.

Some of the work harbour dues help to fund include:

• Surveying
• Dredging
• Marking Navigational Channels
• Traffic Management
• And Much More!

These funds also allow us to adequately respond to emergencies around the harbour and ensure it is a safe place to be.

Without the support of harbour dues, Poole Harbour would not be able to survive. It is for this reason that it is so important for the recreational sector to pay their way in support of the services they are using.

We want to make the process of paying harbour dues as easy as possible for our visitors so that they can enjoy a hassle-free trip. To pay, you can visit us directly at the Harbour Office or use other clubs and marinas that will help. You can also make your payment online by clicking the link here. Paying your annual harbour dues has never been easier with Poole Harbour Commissioners.

While the vast majority of those who pass through our waters are law-abiding patrons, we have unfortunately had incidents where it has become necessary to arrest vessels and sell them in order to repay harbour dues. The harbour authority has this right under section 44 of the Harbour, Dock and Piers Clauses Act 1847 and will exercise that right should they encounter such a situation.

If you pay your harbour dues, you are required to display your ‘harbour dues decal’ on the port side of your watercraft. Doing this clearly indicates to harbour staff, who check vessels at random intervals, that you are adhering to harbour byelaws. If your craft does not have this decal, the harbour authority is within their right to stop you, to check dues have been paid.