Local notices to mariners

Information notices for mariners of any work or activities in Bristol Harbour that may affect navigation.

About the notices

The notices have 2 digits each; the number of the notice and the year it was issued, for example Notice No 21/25 means notice 21 of the year 2025.

It's important to check these notices. They're there for the safety of all harbour users, and they'll help you make the most of your visit to Bristol Harbour. 

13/26 Passage Street navigation restriction (by Tower Wharf/Shot Tower)

Mariners are advised that ongoing building works at Passage Street, in the vicinity of Tower Wharf/the Shot Tower, will temporarily restrict navigation in this area.

As part of these works:

• the north-east arch of St Philips Bridge is closed to all vessel traffic
• a line of buoys will be installed adjacent to the building works, marking the restricted zone
• vessels must not enter the buoyed area under any circumstances
• all mariners to navigate with caution when passing the works, keeping to the available channel

These restrictions will remain in place for the duration of the construction activity. A further Notice to Mariners will be issued once works are complete and the navigation is fully reopened. For further information, contact Bristol Harbour Authority.

12/26 Maintenance dredge of the harbour and Feeder Canal 

A maintenance dredge of Bristol Floating Harbour and Feeder Canal will start on Monday 30 March 2026. Operations are likely to last approximately 3 months.

Dredging will initially focus on the Feeder Canal before moving to the Western end of the Floating Harbour and Cumberland Basin.

Navigation will be maintained throughout operations, but will be subject to restrictions to facilitate the works.

Further notices will be issued with procedures for transit of areas being dredged as works move through the harbour.

11/26 Prince Street Bridge: Summer and Winter operating times, 2026 to 2027

If you wish to pass east or westbound through Prince Street Bridge with a vessel that exceeds the air draft of 2.2 metres, you'll need to arrange to have the bridge swung.

Summer operations

Monday 30 March 2026 to Sunday 25 October 2026 (All times in BST)

Monday to Friday at:

• 9:30am
• 10:30am
• 11:30am
• 12:30pm
• 1:30pm
• 2:30pm
• 3:30pm
• 4:30pm
• 6.30pm
• 7.30pm
• 8.30pm
• 9.30pm

On weekends and bank holidays there are two extra swings:

• 8:30am
• 5.30pm 

Winter operations

Monday 26 October 2026 to Sunday 28 March 2027 (All times in GMT)

Monday to Sunday at:

• 9:30am
• 10:30am
• 11:30am
• 12:30pm
• 1:30pm
• 2:30pm
• 3:30pm
• 4:30pm

Priority swings will be given 3 and a half hours prior to high water to 1 and a half hours after high water. Outside these tidal times, other swings will be at the discretion of the Harbour Master.

You can request a bridge swing at least 1 hour in advance:

• Use the Sail Bristol app.
• Call the Harbour Office on 0117 903 1484
• Use VHF Radio Channel 73 call sign 'Bristol Floating Harbour
• If you're entering from seaward you can make arrangements with the Duty Harbour Officer at Cumberland Basin.
  Phone 0117 927 3633 or vhf radio channel 14 call sign “City Docks Radio”. 

10/26 Netham Lock: Summer and Winter operating times, 2026 to 2027

Summer operations

Monday 30 March 2026 to Sunday 31 May 2026

• Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 7.30pm
• Friday to Sunday: 9.30am to 9pm

Monday 1 June 2026 to Wednesday 30 September 2026.
7am to 10pm every day. (All times in BST)

If you need to pass through Netham Lock, call the Lock Keeper on 0117 977 6590.

Vessels are advised to arrive at the lock at least 1 hour before it closes to ensure passage through the lock.

Winter operations

Thursday 1 October 2026 to Sunday 25 October 2026.
Staff will be available from 8.30am to 8.30pm. (All times in BST)

If you need to pass through Netham Lock, call the Harbour Office on 0117 903 1484 and select option 1, giving an hours' notice.

Monday 26 October 2026 to Sunday 28 March 2027. (All times in GMT)

Staff will be available from 9.30am to 3.45pm

If you need to pass through Netham Lock, call the Harbour Office on 0117 903 1484 and select option 1, giving an hours' notice.

9/26 Harbour Office: Summer and Winter opening times, 2026 to 2027

Summer opening times 2026

From Monday 30 March 2026 to Sunday 25 October 2026, the Harbour Office main reception will be open for general enquiries, licensing and buying commodities between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Duty officers will be on duty from 7.30am to 10pm, carrying out dock patrols and being on call for emergencies.

Our emergency phone service, 0117 903 1484, option 2 will be available during operational hours. Outside of operational hours, call 999.

Winter opening times 2026 to 2027

From Monday 26 October 2026 to Sunday 28 March 2027, the Harbour Office main reception will be open for general enquiries, licensing and buying commodities between 10am to 4pm,  Monday to Friday.

Duty Officers will be on duty from 9am to 5pm, carrying out dock patrols and being on call to respond to emergencies that happen outside of office opening times.

Our emergency phone service, 0117 903 1484, option 2 will be available during operational hours. Outside of operational hours, call 999.

7/26 Events in Bristol Harbour

Mariners are advised that events will take place in the harbour during 2026.

All vessels should navigate with caution, proceed at slow speed where indicated, and give due consideration to participating craft. 

Main events in Bristol Harbour 2026

Minor events in the harbour 2026

• Friday 26 June 2026: BWSC evening races
• Saturday 3 October: BWSC Comet Dinghy open meeting
• 21 December 2026, 9am to 10.30am: Winter solstice swim 

Activities are usually scheduled between 10am and 6pm. 

Mariners are requested to proceed with caution near these events.

Water sports activity sessions

Baltic Wharf unless stated otherwise.

• Baltic Wharf Sailing Club racing
  June to September, Saturdays, 11am to 1pm 
  February to December, Saturdays 1pm to 4pm
• BWSC training sessions: first Saturday of the month, 11am to 1pm
• BWSC sailing event: Wednesdays 11am to 1pm
• BWSC: Tuesday race evening during British Summer Time
• BWSC cadet and social sailing: Wednesdays 5.30pm to 7.30pm, May to September
• All Aboard youth sailing: weekdays and evenings, April to October
• All Aboard sailing and powerboat tuition: year-round
• All Aboard sailability:  Saturdays 10am to 1pm
• All Aboard open water swimming: Sundays 9am to 10.30am
• Avon Scouts taster sessions: Tuesday to Thursday, 6pm to 8.30pm,  April to August
• Avon Scouts tuition: evenings and weekends, March to October
• Bristol Canoe Club: Tuesday and Thursday evenings, year-round
• Bristol Rowing Club: year-round, Albion Dock to Netham
• Ariel Rowing Club: year-round, Netham to Hanham
• Guides Association: Redcliffe Wharf, evenings and weekends
• Scouts Association: Baltic Wharf, evenings and weekends
• TS Adventure Sea Cadets: Baltic Wharf to Narrow Quay, evenings and weekends
• Young Bristol: Pooles Wharf, year-round water sports
• Bristol Gig Club : Bristol Marina to Netham, year-round

Numerous quayside events will happen throughout the year and may cause temporary restrictions to visitors.

6/26 Plimsoll Bridge closure

Due to a fault in the traffic management system, Plimsoll Bridge is currently unable to swing for any incoming or outgoing vessels. This restriction will remain in place until further notice.

We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

4/26 Prince Street Bridge: Summer operating times 2026

Monday 31 March 2025 to Sunday 26 October 2026

Mariners who want to pass through Prince Street Bridge with a vessel that is more than the clearance height of approximately 2.2 metres, can arrange a Prince Street Bridge swing

Monday to Friday at:

• 9:30am
• 10:30am
• 11:30am
• 12:30pm
• 1:30pm
• 2:30pm
• 3:30pm
• 4:30pm
• 6.30pm
• 7.30pm
• 8.30pm
• 9.30pm

On weekends and bank holidays there are two extra swings:

• 8:30am
• 5.30pm 

Priority swings will be given 3 and a half hours prior to high water to 1 and a half hours after high water.

Outside these tidal times, other swings will be at the discretion of the Harbour Master.

You can request a bridge swing at least 1 hour in advance:

• Use the Sail Bristol app.
• Call the Harbour Office on 0117 903 1484
• Use VHF Radio Channel 73 call sign 'Bristol Floating Harbour
• If you're entering from seaward you can make arrangements with the Duty Harbour Officer at Cumberland Basin.
  Phone 0117 927 3633 or vhf radio channel 14 call sign “City Docks Radio”. 

2/26 Cumberland Basin lock gates update

8 January 2026

35/25 Scouring Operations Cumberland Basin 

Scouring operations in the Cumberland Basin will take place at the following times in 2026:

• 19 March, 1.10pm 
• 2 April, 2.05pm 
• 17 April, 1.30pm 
• 1 May, 1.30pm 
• 18 May, 2.30pm 

Keep in mind:

• Scours may be cancelled without notice due to operational issues.
• Before the scour it may be necessary to increase the level of the harbour by up to +0.25 metres.
• The water level in the Floating Harbour, Feeder Canal and River Avon upstream of Netham Lock may be reduced by as much as 0.5 metres during the period of approximately 12 hours from commencement of each scour.
• Strong currents will be experienced in narrow bridge ways and especially Prince Street Bridge, Totterdown Junction and in the Feeder Canal at Netham Lock.
• Vessels proceeding upstream against the current must give way to vessels coming downstream at all bridge ways, Totterdown Junction and at Netham Lock.
• All vessels when approaching Prince Street Bridge, Redcliffe Bridge, Totterdown Junction or Netham Lock must sound one prolonged blast of their whistle from either direction.

32/25 Harbour Office: Winter opening hours 2025 to 2026

Monday 29 September 2025 to Sunday 29 March 2026

From Monday 29 September 2025 to Sunday 29 March 2026, the Harbour Office will be open for general enquiries, licencing, and the purchasing of commodities between 10am to 3pm, 7 days a week.

It will not be possible to obtain any commodities from the Harbour Office outside of these hours.

Duty Officers will be on duty between 9am and 5pm. They will carry out dock patrols and will be on call to respond to emergencies that occur outside of office opening times.

These changes apply to both in person and telephone enquiries. However, an emergency telephone service will continue to be available during operational hours.

31/25 Netham Lock: Winter opening times 2025 to 2026

Monday 29 September 2025 to Sunday 29 March 2026

From Monday 29 September 2025 to Sunday 29 March 2026, winter operation hours will apply.

Monday 29 September 2025 to Sunday 26 October 2025

Staff will be available between 8.30am and 8.30pm.  Mariners wishing to pass through Netham Lock should contact the Harbour Office on 0117 903 1484 and select option 1, giving an hours' notice.

From Monday 27 October 2025 to Sunday 29 March 2026

Staff will be available between 9.30am and 3.34pm.  Mariners wishing to pass through Netham Lock should contact the Harbour Office on 0117 903 1484 and select option 1, giving an hours' notice. 

30/25 Cumberland Basin: Winter locking operations 2025 to 2026

Sunday 26 October 2025 to Sunday 29 March 2026

From 26 October 2025 to 29 March 2026 locking services will not be routinely provided between 5pm to 9am.

A minimum of 48 hours' notice must be given when locking requests fall during the out of hours period.

Bookings can be made by either:

• the sail Bristol app
• call: 0117 9273633, where you will be asked to leave a message for the Marine Service Supervisor

If your enquiry is urgent, call the Bristol Harbour Office on 0117 903 1484 and select option 1.

29/25 Prince Street Bridge: Winter operating times 2025 to 2026

Monday 26 October 2025 to Sunday 29 March 2026

Mariners who want to pass through Prince Street Bridge with a vessel that is more than the clearance height of approximately 2.2 metres, can arrange a Prince Street Bridge swing,

Monday to Friday at:

• 9:30am
• 10:30am
• 11:30am
• 12:30pm
• 1:30pm
• 2:30pm
• 3:30pm
• 4:30pm

Priority swings will be given 3 and a half hours prior to high water to 1 and a half hours after high water.

Outside these tidal times, other swings will be at the discretion of the Harbour Master.

You must request a bridge swing at least 1 hour in advance through the Sail Bristol app.

To make an urgent request:

• call the Harbour Office on 0117 903 1484
• use VHF Radio Channel 73 call sign 'Bristol Floating Harbour'

Vessels entering from seaward can also contact the Marine Services Supervisor at Cumberland Basin:

• Phone: 0117 927 3633
• VHF Radio Channel 14 call sign 'City Docks Radio'

22/25 Reduced operation of Cumberland Basin lock gates

There is a malfunction with the Cumberland Basin lock gates. Immediate repairs are needed to the outer lock gate on the North side of the harbour at the Cumberland Basin entrance to the harbour. This will affect vessels arriving and departing seaward through the River Avon.

We expect the repair works to take up to four weeks and apologise for any disruption caused.

To prevent further damage and deterioration to the structure we have stopped operating the north gate and restricted movement of vessels to and from the harbour through the Cumberland Basin to only essential requests.

When the repairs have been completed,  we'll carry out a detailed survey and inspection of the outer lock gates to identify any other works that are needed. We'll update you on arrangements for entering and leaving the harbour by the Cumberland Basin once that is complete. 

Arriving or departing through Cumberland Basin

If you need to leave or plan to arrive at Bristol Harbour through Cumberland Basin, phone the Harbour Office on 0117 903 1484. It's important for you to contact us in advance about any plans to move your vessel so we can discuss and consider the available options.

Each request will be handled on a case-by-case basis, as we'll need to consider a number of variables, such as vessel size and tide height.

31/24 Bristol Harbour Walkway (Temple Backs to Totterdown Basin)

Mariners are advised that construction work on the Bristol Harbour Walkway continues.

To allow these works to take place navigation has been restricted from Temple Backs up to Totterdown Basin. These works are clearly signed and marked and include a full closure of the Southern Temple Meads tunnel. All vessels must use the northern tunnel when navigating this section of the harbour.

Divers may be operating within the works area.

All vessels must use extreme caution navigating through the area and give priority to vessels traveling downstream.

28/24 Prince Street Bridge operating times

Mariners wishing to pass east or westbound through Prince Street Bridge with a vessel that exceeds the clearance height (2.2m), may arrange to have the bridge swung at the following times:

• 9.30am
• 10.30am
• 11.30am
• 12.30pm
• 1.30pm
• 2.30pm
• 3.30pm
• 4.30pm

Priority swings will be given 3 and a half hours prior to high water to 1 and a half hours after high water. Outside these tidal times, the above-published swings will be at the discretion of the Harbour Master.

Swing requests within the tidal period should be made at least 1 hour in advance and can be made via the Sail Bristol App, the Harbour Office Tel No: 0117 9031484, or VHF Radio Channel 73 call sign "Bristol Floating Harbour"

Vessels entering from seaward may also make arrangements with the Deputy Harbour Master at Cumberland Basin Tel: 0117 9273633 or VHF Radio Channel 14 call sign "City Docks Radio"

21/24 Totterdown Basin buoys

Mariners are advised that a line of buoys has been installed at Totterdown Basin.  

This has been done in the interests of safety to encourage a line that gives the best onward view through the narrows of Totterdown Lock when navigating downstream.

16/23 Temple Island River Wall Repairs in the New Cut

From June 2023, repair works will commence to the Temple Island River Walls in the New Cut between Totterdown Bridge and Bath Roundabout Bridge.

When the work is completed, a further Notice to Mariners will be raised.

Mariners must proceed at a slow speed, navigation with caution in the area.