Bridport Harbour - West Bay

13/05/2026

13/05/2026

BRIDPORT HARBOUR AUTHORITY
NOTICE TO MARINERS No. 3 of 2026
WATER SKI EVENT – BRIDPORT HARBOUR AND APPROACHES

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Water Ski Event will take place within Bridport Harbour and its approaches on the following dates:

Saturday 16 May 2026
Sunday 17 May 2026

1. TIMES OF OPERATION
The event will take place daily between:

0900 – 1400

A detailed programme of events is provided at Annex B.

2. LOCATION
The event will take place on a marked course within Bridport Harbour and adjacent coastal waters, as shown on the plan at Annex A.
The course will be delineated by temporary marker buoys.

3. NAVIGATION
During the event the following will apply:

The event area will be closed to all unauthorised vessels.
Mariners are required to keep well clear of the marked course and associated safety craft.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity shall proceed with caution and at an appropriate speed.
All instructions given by Harbour Authority personnel and event safety craft must be complied with.

4. SAFETY
Safety craft will be in attendance throughout the duration of the event.
Mariners are advised that participants will be operating at speed and may have restricted ability to manoeuvre.

5. CONTACT DETAILS
For further information, please contact:
Harbour Master, Bridport Harbour
Tel: 01308 423222
VHF: Channel 11

6. CHARTLETS

Annex A – Event Course Plan
Annex B – Event Timetable

James Radcliffe
Harbour Master
Bridport & Lyme Regis Harbour
Dated: 13 May 2026

Note: Owners, agents, charterers, marinas, yacht clubs and recreational sailing organisations should ensure that the contents of this Notice are made known to the masters or persons in charge of their vessels or craft.

04/05/2026

What a peaceful morning ☀️

03/05/2026

Another day dredging the outer harbour.... Watch the team live here...

1 like. "Bridport West Bay Dredging (John M Dredger)"

28/04/2026

Essential maintenance dredging is continuing at Bridport Harbour, which is being done to support vessel access, safe navigation and the long‑term operation of the harbour.

West Beach will remain closed until the work is completed, which is expected to be within the next 10-14 days.

The Harbour will stay open throughout the works, however access may be restricted at times when the dredging work is taking place in specific areas.

25/04/2026

Check out West Bay Days brand new website for all their events this year....

13/02/2026

12/02/2026

Update on removing the shingle from the Harbour.

An operation to clear one of the biggest amounts of storm debris seen at West Bay is underway.Dorset Council is utilising an 80-ton crane to dredge a huge build-up of shingle and sediment in the outer Harbour, which was caused by the recent storms.

04/02/2026

🌊 Sluicing the Harbour

Here’s a photo of the river sluices being opened to help flush silt through the whole harbour — a method that’s been used here for generations.

For maximum effect, the gates are opened around an hour before low water, using the falling tide to help pull silt seaward.

Sluicing is often carried out overnight, which means many people don’t see it happening.

It helps reduce silt build‑up, but it depends on the right tide and river conditions, so it can’t replace dredging and can’t be done every day.

We’ll continue using it whenever conditions allow to help keep the harbour clear and working well.

02/02/2026

Harbour Update – Beach Material Removal

Due to the recent consistent south‑easterly winds, an unusual amount of beach material from East Beach has accumulated within the outer harbour. This morning we began the removal process to ensure safe and effective harbour operations.

We are working closely with the Environment Agency, who will be re‑profiling East Beach over the coming days. As part of this collaboration, the material removed from the harbour will be transported back onto the beach for their use.

If you do come down to watch the works, please keep a safe distance and follow all safety barriers and instructions in place.

Thank you for your cooperation.