Introduction

We are responsible for Minehead and Watchet Harbours. Both harbours are equipped for landing and mooring, with mooring berths and anchorages.

The harbours are only suitable as ports of refuge for small craft.

All ship movements are controlled by the Harbour Master.

The marina built at Watchet Harbour is operated by Watchet Harbour Marina Ltd.

Due to the shingle ridge at Minehead Harbour a Mariners Notice has been issued.

1. Moorings

1.1 Transfers

Moorings shall be for the exclusive use of the applicants to whom they are granted and shall not be transferable except in accordance with Schedule 2, Condition 3 of this document. Moorings shall be re-allocated only to those who have paid the appropriate fees to Somerset West and Taunton. A new or vacant mooring not used by the mooring holder within twelve months will be offered to the next suitable boat on the waiting list for that group. Preference will be given to those who live within the Somerset West and Taunton district.

1.2 Waiting list

An updated mooring waiting list shall be kept in the Harbour Masters office.

1.3 Harbour dues

Any mooring holder who fails to pay the necessary harbour dues to Somerset West and Taunton by 31 May shall be deemed to have vacated his/her mooring.

1.4 Inspection of moorings

The Harbour Master shall give reasonable notice for the inspection of moorings, which will be undertaken annually. In addition to the annual inspection, the Harbour Master may inspect any mooring when he believes that it may be inadequate. Should they consider the mooring to be inadequate it shall not be used until replaced or repaired to the standard agreed by the Harbour Master and within the reasonable time stated by the Harbour Master.

1.5 Safety and compatibility

The Harbour Master or their representatives shall have the authority to have boats and chains transferred to different positions, temporarily or permanently, for reasons of safety or boat compatibility.

1.6 Licensed boat owners

Other than in respect of those allocated to Licensed Boat Owners, a mooring cannot be sold or sub-let (Schedule 2, Condition 3) with or without a boat.

1.7 Permission

Before a mooring holder may temporarily use another’s vacant mooring, other than for brief emergency purposes, they shall obtain the permission of the Harbour Master.

2. Length and breath of a vessel

2.1 Maximum length and breadth

(a) The MAXIMUM moulded length and breadth permitted for a commercial/charter vessel moored at a permanent mooring is 11.58 metres (38 feet) length, 3.96 metres (13 feet) breadth, provided the mooring space allocated is sufficient to accommodate a vessel of this size.

(b) The MAXIMUM moulded length and breadth permitted for a privately owned, non-commercial vessel moored at a permanent mooring is 10.7 metres (35 feet) length, 3.7 metres breadth (12 feet) provided the mooring space allocated is sufficient to accommodate a vessel of this size

2.2 Changes to chains

Any changes to the lengths of the chains as a consequence of complying with condition 2.1 (a) or (b) above shall be at the owner’s expense. The time scale for any replacement shall be as directed by the Harbour Master.

3. Mooring chain and rope

3.1 Chain size

The following chain and sizes, which have been adopted as Somerset West and Taunton minimum requirements, are those recommended by chain and rope manufacturers as appropriate for the stated overall lengths of vessels:

• for vessels up to 0-6 metres (0-20 feet) ground chain 11mm, riser chain 8m, pick up chain 6.5mm or mooring strop 8-10mm polyester/nylon, 10-12mm polypropylene
• for vessels up to 6-7 metres (20-24 feet) ground chain 12.5mm, riser chain 9.5mm, pick up chain 8m or mooring strop 12mm polyester/nylon, 14mm polypropylene
• for vessels up to 7-8.5 metres (24-28 feet) ground chain 12.5mm, riser chain 11mm, pick up chain 9.5mm or mooring strop 12mm polyester/nylon, 14mm polypropylene
• for vessels up to 8.5-9.5 metres (28-31 feet) ground chain 16mm, riser chain 12.5mm, pick up chain 9.5mm or mooring strop 14mm polyester/nylon, 18mm polypropylene
• for vessels up to 9.5-11.58 metres (31-38 feet) ground chain 19mm, riser chain 14mm, pick up chain 11mm or mooring strop 14mm polyester/nylon, 18mm polypropylene

It is difficult to recommend correct lengths for ground chains as so much depends on system, design, local conditions and the size and type of chain being used. However, it is recognised that to minimise shock loads the heavier the ground chain the steadier a vessel will lay.

4. Permissible wear of mooring chains and rope

4.1 Degree of wear

The degree of wear which can safely be permitted before replacement varies with individual circumstances. As a guide, wear in excess of 15% reduction on the chain sizes listed above will be considered unacceptable and the Harbour Master will require them to be replaced. Badly rusted chain should never be used.

4.2 Length of strop

The length of strop should be a maximum of 5 metres unless the mooring is attached to the inner harbour wall or as specifically agreed otherwise by the Harbour Master. Ropes chafed or strand parted must be replaced.

4.3 Sailing dinghies

Sailing dinghies must use a minimum 6.5mm chain for their forward mooring and a minimum 10mm mooring rope. All boats must be adequately tendered. Vacant moorings shall be marked with a buoy.

5. Half floor post moorings

5.1 Space and maintenance

Space for half floor post mooring is provided on a temporary basis for licensed boats to use at neap tides, or in the event that a permanent mooring cannot be reached. The mooring holder is responsible for the maintenance of the post mooring. The length of mooring rope is at the discretion of the Harbour Master. None of the moorings must obstruct the free passage for vessels to enter or leave the harbour.

5.2 Resale

Mooring chain in good condition, and subject to the approval of the Harbour Master, may be sold to another member when vacating a mooring.

5.3 Non usage

Mooring holders shall inform the Harbour Master if they do not intend using their mooring for a prolonged period. That mooring may be used by a visitor only after the prior permission of the owner has been given.

5.4 Appeal

The Harbour Master’s interpretation of these rules is final and binding and will be strictly enforced by Somerset West and Taunton. Any mooring holder deeming themselves aggrieved by any decision of Somerset West and Taunton or of its representatives may appeal in writing for reconsideration of that decision. The appeal will be heard by Somerset West and Taunton.

5.5 Harbour Master

The Harbour Master shall be responsible for setting out temporary visitor moorings.

6. Oil spill response

6.1 Somerset West and Taunton requirements

Somerset West and Taunton requirements are:

That under the current legislation individual boat owners are required to have adequate means of controlling any oil spillage that may occur when bunkering. Special attention must be taken when discharging bilges that may contain oil substances.

7. Insurance

7.1 Somerset West and Taunton requirements

Somerset West and Taunton requirements are:

That under the current legislation individual boat owners are required to have adequate means of controlling any oil spillage that may occur when bunkering. Special attention must be taken when discharging bilges that may contain oil substances.

8. Harbour bylaws

8.1 Conditions

Harbour users shall at all times comply with the conditions of the Harbour Bylaws.

8.2 Statutes

Nothing contained in these rules shall absolve a harbour user from fully complying with any Bylaw, Statute, or other regulatory provision whatsoever.

Conditions to be applied to the granting of all private moorings at Minehead Harbour

Schedule 1

Condition 1

The Harbour Master shall be responsible for the arrangements and control of the use of the private moorings provided in Minehead Harbour but the responsibility for the security of the boats using this facility shall rest with the respective owner(s).

Condition 2

The Harbour Master be authorised to determine applications by private boat owners to moor larger replacement vessels at Minehead Harbour.

Condition 3

(a) All private moorings shall be for the exclusive use of the applicants to whom they are granted and shall not be transferable either in whole or in part by way of sub-letting, assignment or by any other arrangement to any other person(s) or company.

(b) In the event of the mooring not being used by the authorised person for a period of twelve months, the boat owners right to use the mooring shall terminate absolutely and the Harbour Master shall be at liberty to relocate the mooring to the next suitable applicant on the waiting list.

Condition 4

In the event of an owner of a boat not requiring such private mooring he/she shall forthwith notify the Council to that effect and the mooring shall be relinquished and allocated to the applicant at the head of the waiting list for moorings, provided that, if the applicant’s boat is of a length and width not commensurate with the area of the mooring space then becoming vacant, the mooring shall be offered to the next applicant at the head of the waiting list and so on until the criteria mentioned above in respect of length and width are satisfied.

Condition 5

The fact that an applicant on the waiting list is unsuccessful in being granted a mooring by virtue of the fact that their boat is too large for a particular mooring area shall not prejudice their position in order of priority on the waiting list.

Condition 6

Any person failing to comply with conditions (3) and/or (4) above shall be liable to the withdrawal of their mooring facility of such date as the Council decides.

Conditions to be applied to the operation of the block mooring facility for the licensed pleasure boats at Minehead Harbour.

Schedule 2

Condition 1

The Harbour Master shall be responsible for the arrangements and control of the use of the block mooring facility provided for licensed boats at Minehead Harbour but the responsibility for the security of the boats using this facility shall rest with the respective owner(s).

Condition 2

The Harbour Master be authorised to determine applications by licensed pleasure boat owners to moor larger replacement licensed vessels at the block mooring facility at Minehead Harbour.

Condition 3

All such moorings shall be for the exclusive use of the applicants to whom they are granted and shall not be transferable either in whole or in part by way of sub-letting, assignment or by any other arrangement to any other person(s) or company except that, in the event of a licensed boat owner whose licensed boat was occupying a space on the block mooring going out of business, the Council agree that no objection would be raised to the transfer of the mooring space in conjunction with the sale of the boat, provided:

(a) that the purchaser(s) of the licensed boat was/were resident in the area administered by the Authority; and

(b) that the consent of the Authority to the transfer of the mooring space had been obtained before the sale of the boat had taken place.

Condition 4

Any person failing to comply with condition (3) above shall be liable to the withdrawal of his/her mooring facility by such date as the Council decides.

Condition 5

In the event of the mooring not being used by the authorised person for a period of twelve months, the licensed pleasure boat owner’s right to use the mooring shall terminate absolutely and the Harbour Master shall be at liberty to relocate the mooring to the next suitable applicant on the waiting list.