The Enforcement of Harbour Dues
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.