Licensing vessels and payment of charges

• Charges in respect of all vessels are payable on arrival in accordance with the schedule posted at the harbour office.

• Visiting vessels may elect to pay per 24hrs to 48hrs, 7-days or per 15-days to a maximum of 30 days per visit.

• The use of the harbour entrance locks is included in the charges, except those for tidal moorings on the banks of the River Avon.

• Long term berthing may be available subject to acceptance of an application form and issue of an annual licence, which commences 1 May each year. When completing an application form please:

• There is no extra charge for a tender, providing it is properly marked (with the licence number of the craft and the word ‘TENDER’), is approved by the Harbour Master, is used solely as a tender, and is stored on the vessel when not in use.

• Before an annual licence can be issued, a craft has to be insured against third party risks and passenger liability to a minimum of £2,000,000 for any one claim.

• It is mandatory that licensed craft are properly marked with the name and registration number on both sides of the bow. Plastic numerals may be obtained from ships’ chandlers.

• Annual licences expire on 30th April, therefore the fee payable is reduced in stages during the course of the year. If a licence is surrendered, a refund may be claimed up to a maximum of three-quarters of the annual amount payable, depending on the unexpired term. If a boat changes ownership, the original owner should surrender his/her licence, and the new owner must apply for a new licence.

• A licence sticker is issued and must be displayed on the vessel.

A pdf document listing all costs associated with Bristol Harbour services and how they can be paid can be downloaded from the 'related documents' section below.

More information about Bristol Harbour

Contact us

For all general visitor information, please call the Bristol Harbour Office, Underfall Yard, Cumberland Road, Bristol BS1 6XG on 0117 903 1484 or email harbour.office@bristol.gov.uk or click here for a full list of contacts