SAFETY & NAVIGATION
Harbour Safety
To help keep you safe this page provides safety guidance in the following areas:
Slipway
Our slipway at the Bath Road car park provides an ideal launching base from which to explore the Solent and the surrounding area. Before use, please pay the launching fee at the Harbour Office or to Harbour Staff. The slipway can get busy at times and for the safety and enjoyment of everyone it is important that a few simple rules are followed:
Before Launching
- Check weather and tidal conditions.
- Do not block access – rig your boat away from the slipway.
- Assess the risks such as slips, trips and falls.
- Be aware of other users of the slipway.
- When stationary check handbrake is on and holding.
- Attach a safety line to your trailer.
- Check any bungs are in place.
- Never stand behind a boat while it is being launched or recovered.
- Check the trailer tow hitch and boat are properly secured.
Launching & Recovering
- Know where the end of the slipway is located.
- Be aware of pedestrians around you including people launching boats.
- Tie your boat up securely.
- When reversing, if available, use a second person to guide you back.
- Winch recovery only. Do NOT power on to trailer.
- No trailers or trolleys to be left on the slipway or below the high water mark.
- Give priority to the lifeboat.
- BEWARE – Slipways can be dangerous!
Slipway Closures
From time to time, it is necessary to introduce temporary slipway closures to allow organised events to launch and recover large numbers of dinghies in safety. When this occurs, typically the slipway will be closed for up to an hour.
Bath Road Slipway Closures
Towage
Lymington Harbour Commissioner Towage Guidelines
Emergency Towage
Should you have to undertake an emergency tow within Lymington River during working hours, please call the Harbour Office (01590 672014) or VHF Ch66 so that we can advise other river users and provide an escort or support should that be necessary. In the event of an emergency outside working hours, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard or contact the Coastguard via VHF Ch16.
Planned 3rd Party Towing Operations
A towage permit is required for all tows which exceed 22m in length. Issue of a Towage Permit will be subject to the following procedure:
- All towage operations must be conducted in accordance with the appropriate professional standards.
- All masters, contractors and agents must ensure that a written safe system of work with appropriate risk assessments is submitted to the Harbour Office prior to commencing towage operations and is implemented. As a minimum, issues to be considered within the risk assessment are to include, but not be limited to:
- Scope of the task – size of towed vessel, whether it has propulsion or ability to steer etc.
- Crew size – sufficient, qualified, competent, prepared etc.
- Equipment involved.
- Operational elements – time of day, impact of the tide, environmental effects, visibility, lookout, radio checks etc.
- Interaction with other river traffic including the Wightlink ferries.
- Emergency measures – availability of rescue craft, nearest medical facility etc.
- Towage contractors, masters and agents must ensure that a Towage Authorisation Request Form is completed and forwarded to the Harbour Office at least 24 hours before the towage operation commences, together with the supporting information required under 2 above. Towage approval must have been received before the towage operation commences. Additionally, when towing to/from the Berthon Lymington Marina, Haven Quay or Lymington Yacht Haven Marina, a separate consent may be required from the Marina Manager or Berthing Master before the operation commences.
Tows planned and undertaken by Berthon Boatyard & Lymington Yacht Haven Dredging Barges are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Towage Permit, subject to these operations being undertaken in accordance with the organisation’s Safe Operating Procedures.
The RNLI & Sea Start, in response to an emergency, are required to notify the Duty Harbour Master if the tow LOA exceeds 22m on channel 66, or phone 01590 672014.
Apply for a Towage Permit
Diving
To ensure all diving operations in the harbour are conducted safely, under the Lymington Harbour General Directions (2014) no person may undertake any underwater or diving operations within the harbour without a written permit to dive from the Harbour Master.
Issue of a permit to dive will be subject to the following procedure:
- All diving operations must be conducted in accordance with the HSE diving at Work Regulations 1997 and the approved Code of Practice.
- All masters, contractors and agents must ensure that a written safe system of work, with appropriate risk assessments, is submitted to the Harbour Office prior to commencing and diving operations. As a minimum, issues to be considered within the risk assessment are to include, but not be limited to:
- Scope of the task – boat scrubbing, propeller work, work on piles, quay walls, etc.
- Team size – sufficient, qualified, competent, prepared etc.
- Equipment involved – wet suit or coveralls, foot protection, gloves, head protection, harness, lifeline, weight belt, knife, light, tools for the job etc.
- Operational elements – daylight only, access to the water, environmental effects, visibility, lookout, radio checks etc.
- Emergency measures – standby diver/swimmer, recovery of injured personnel, availability of rescue craft, nearest medical facility etc.
- Diving contractors, masters and agents must ensure that a Diving Request Form is completed and forwarded to the Harbour Office at least 24 hours before operation together with the supporting information required under 2 above. Approval must be received before the diving operation commences and a diver enters the water. Additionally, when diving in the Berthon Lymington Marina or Lymington Yacht Haven Marina a separate consent is required from the Marina Manager or Berthing Master before a diver enters the water.
Commercial Divers may apply to Lymington Harbour Commissioners to be ‘approved contractors’ for the purpose of diving in Lymington Harbour. Approval will be subject to the contractor providing details of their standard operating procedures; risk assessments; emergency action plan and sample dive project plan. A Diving Permit Request Form will still need to be completed and authorised prior to each dive.
Commercial Divers authorised as ‘approved contractors’ for diving in Lymington Harbour:
RS Divers: www.rsdivers.co.uk
MMC Diving Services: www.mmcdivingservices.co.uk
Island Divers Limited: www.iowdivers.co.uk
Delta Diving Services: www.deltadivingservices.co.uk
Commercial and Specialised Diving Ltd: www.specialised-diving.co.uk
To apply for a diving permit and download HSE Guidance, see the links below.
Apply for a Diving Permit
HSE Diving at Work Regulations 1997 – Code of Practice
Wear a Kill Cord
Always use a kill cord and make sure it’s attached to the driver of the boat and have a spare kill cord onboard.
Small open RIBs and other powerboats are usually fitted with a kill cord and, if used correctly, this will stop the engine if the driver becomes dislodged from the helm position.
Paddle Sports
Heading down to the coast to go canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding is a great way to have fun and stay active. But, if you’re not careful, it’s a lot easier to get into trouble in the water than you might think. Conditions can change quickly and, if you’re not prepared, you can easily get caught out. We’ve produced some guidance to help keep you safe while paddling in Lymington Harbour and to help you minimise your impact on birds and local wildlife.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency and RNLI also urge kayak owners and other water sports enthusiasts, to clearly label their property so that in the event you are parted and your kayak/canoe/stand up paddleboard is found, the emergency services can quickly establish if you are safe. Labels can be ordered free online through the MCA if you don’t want to use indelible ink. Labels are also available free from the RNLI Lymington Lifeboat Shop and the Lymington Harbour Office.
Please click on the links below to find out more.
Enjoying Paddle Sports Safety
Stand up Paddle Boarding – RNLI Safety Guidance
Kayaking and Canoeing – RNLI Safety Guidance
Wildlife Aware Paddle Sports
Order Water Sports LablesOrder Water Sports Labels
Water Quality in Lymington Harbour
Who is responsible for water testing?
The Environment Agency is the regulator responsible for monitoring water quality across England. Local authorities and water companies also have responsibilities for managing sources of pollution, including surface water and sewage infrastructure. The Environment Agency’s monitors a number of sites within Lymington River and the data can be found here. The Harbour Commission also review the following links to monitor the river basin management plan maps that are publicly available. Introduction, Lymington River Water Body, Lymington Water Body.
Lymington Harbour is not a designated bathing water under the Bathing Water Regulations 2013. However, as the Harbour Authority, we work closely with the Environment Agency, Southern Water, and Lymington & Pennington Town Council to highlight water quality concerns that may affect harbour users.
Water Quality in Lymington Harbour
Designated bathing waters are monitored for faecal coliform bacteria throughout the bathing season (15 May – 30 September) by the Environment Agency, with results published on their website. These sites are then classified each year as Excellent, Good, Sufficient, or Poor based on health-related standards.
Because Lymington Harbour is not designated as bathing waters our harbour is not subject to the regular Environment Agency testing and classification regime that applies to official bathing beaches and inland bathing sites. This is common practice for most rivers, estuaries, and harbours in the UK, which are managed primarily for navigation, recreation, and environmental protection rather than for bathing. However, The Environment Agency can undertake investigative monitoring if they believe pollution incidents are occurring and any pollution concerns in the harbour are referred to the Environment Agency.
Best practice advice for harbour users
Recreational swimming is not permitted in Lymington Harbour. This is for safety reasons, given the mix of commercial, ferry, and leisure traffic, as well as the absence of lifeguard cover. “Casual” immersion, such as sailors capsizing dinghies or falling off does happen, but harbour users should be aware this is at their own risk and not encouraged by the Commissioners.
People should take sensible precautions when potentially coming into contact with water or mud and be aware the risks of exposure to high levels of sewage pollution are increased following periods of high rainfall and river flows, when storm drains might be operating.
If you feel unwell after contact with harbour water, seek medical advice and mention your recent exposure.
- Avoid swallowing harbour water.
- Wear wetsuits or other protective clothing.
- Cover cuts or grazes with waterproof plasters before going afloat.
- Wash hands, equipment, and clothing thoroughly after contact with the water or mud, particularly before eating or drinking.
- Shower as soon as possible after significant immersion (e.g. capsizing, launching, recovery).
- Take extra care with young children and anyone with weakened immune systems.
- If you feel unwell after contact with harbour water, seek medical advice and mention your recent exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions – Water Quality
Why isn’t Lymington Harbour tested like beaches?
Only sites designated as “bathing waters” under the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 are routinely tested by the Environment Agency. These are mainly popular beaches and a small number of inland lakes and rivers. Harbours and rivers, including Lymington are not designated as bathing waters and they are not subject to statutory testing.
Does this mean the water is unsafe?
Not at all. Lymington Harbour is safe for its intended uses such as navigation, sailing, paddle sports, and recreation. However, because water quality is not tested to bathing water standards, people should take sensible hygiene precautions after contact with harbour water or mud.
Who is responsible if there is pollution?
The Environment Agency regulates discharges to estuarine and coastal waters, monitors water quality and investigates pollution incidents. Southern Water manages the local sewerage network. Lymington Harbour Commissioners are not responsible for drainage discharges into the harbour or the statutory testing body but work closely with both organisations to report, support, and escalate concerns on behalf of harbour users.
What should I do if I suspect pollution?
If you see or suspect pollution, please report it immediately to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60 (24-hour incident hotline) or at this web link & To report a pollution to Southern Water, simply go to report a problem page or call them on 0800 952 1001.
You may also notify the Harbour Office so we can support and monitor the situation locally.
