Local notices to mariners

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

Prince Street Bridge 1000 x 350

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. 

45/26 Modular pontoon system at Finzels Reach

A modular pontoon system, measuring 45 metres by 3 metres will be located at Finzels Reach, from Monday 5 October 2026 to Monday 15 February 2027.

The pontoon will be used for the scaffolding removal from the adjacent building. The pontoon system will be secured to the quayside for the duration of the scaffold removal.

You should keep a safe distance from the pontoon whilst scaffolding removal is taking place. Vessels are not permitted to berth alongside the pontoon.

Navigate with caution in the area of the pontoon system and keep a safe speed and proper lookout.

For further information:

44/26 Netham Lock: Opening Hours 2026 to 2027 

Netham Lock will be moving to winter operating hours from Thursday 1 October 2026 until Sunday 28 March 2027.

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

From Monday 26 October to Sunday 28 March 2027, staff will be available between 9.30am and 3.45pm. Mariners wishing to pass through Netham Lock should contact the Harbour Office on 0117 903 1484 and select option 1, giving one hours notice.

For further information:

Monitor and maintain a listening watch as appropriate. 

41/26 Avon Riversides 2100 project drone (UAV) survey operations

Aerial survey operations using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and drones will happen within and adjacent to Bristol Harbour and the River Avon between Monday 14 September 2026 and Saturday 31 October 2026.

The surveys are needed to collect topographical and flood defence data in support of the Avon Riversides 2100 Project. 

Operations may take place within the following areas:

  • Cumberland Basin and Entrance Lock
  • The Floating Harbour, including Spike Island
  • The River Avon corridor from Cumberland Basin to Temple Meads
  • The River Avon eastwards from Temple Meads to the Crews Hole area
  • Adjacent flood defence assets, quay walls and riverside infrastructure within the project boundary

The initial drone operations during the week beginning 14 September 2026 will focus on Cumberland Basin and Entrance Lock and western Spike Island areas before progressing through the wider survey corridor.

The works will comprise aerial drone photography, LiDAR mapping and associated survey activities. Operations will be conducted from various temporary launch and recovery locations along the survey route. The drone operator will work under a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Operational Authorisation, following approved risk assessments and method statements.

Mariners are advised:

  • drone operations will be conducted from land and over adjacent waters
  • no restrictions to navigation are anticipated
  • to maintain a good lookout at all times and proceed with caution when navigating in the vicinity of survey activities
  • vessel operators should comply with any directions issued by Harbour Authority officers
  • masters should be aware that survey teams may be operating adjacent to quays, pontoons, bridges and riverside infrastructure

For further information 

38/26 Closure of navigation North of Peros Bridge

Navigation under the bridge towards Cascade Steps is temporarily restricted because of an issue with Peros Bridge. Vessels cannot pass underneath until further notice. The bridge is also closed to pedestrians.

There is alternative access via Narrow Quay and Waterfront. The Cascade ferry landing is closed with Prince Street Bridge landing as an alternative.

This notice will apply until engineering assessment has been completed when a revised Notice to Mariners will be issued.

All mariners are instructed to navigate with caution in the vicinity of the works and comply with all instructions issued by Bristol Harbour Authority personnel.

For further information:

Call: 0117 903 1484
Email: harbour.office@bristol.gov.uk
VHF: - 73

14/26 Cumberland Basin: Locking operations 2026 to 2027 

Summer operations: Monday 30 March 2026 to Sunday 25 October 2026

During British Summer Time (BST) docking services will run from 7.30am to 10pm.

Staff will be on duty for all spring or stop gate tides. You must give a minimum of 24 hours notice if you need locking operations outside these hours, so we can make sure staff are available.

Our 'notice required for Plimsoll Bridge Swing' remains in force. You must give 48 hours' notice if you need a Plimsoll Bridge swing, day, or night.

You can make a booking through the Sail Bristol app or by calling 0117 927 3633, where you'll be asked to leave a message for the Marine Service Supervisor.

If you leave a message, a member of staff will reply when they're next on duty to confirm the booking.

Email: docks.office@bristol.gov.uk
Watch House: 0117 927 3633 (24-hour answerphone)

Winter Operations: Monday 26 October 2026 to Sunday 28 March 2027

During Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) docking services will run from 9am to 5pm.

Staff will be on duty for all spring or stop gate tides. You must give a minimum of 48 hours notice if you need locking operations outside these hours, so we can make sure staff are available.

You can make a booking through the Sail Bristol app or by calling 0117 927 3633, where you'll be asked to leave a message for the Marine Service Supervisor.

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

Email: docks.office@bristol.gov.uk
Watch House: 0117 927 3633 (24-hour answerphone)

13/26 Passage Street navigation restriction: by Tower Wharf and the Shot Tower

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 will be issued once works are complete and the navigation is fully reopened.  

Contact us for further information.

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”. 

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.

2/26 Cumberland Basin lock gates update

8 January 2026

The repairs to the outer lock gates are complete. Next, a dive survey will check the condition of the other gates. If the survey results are postive, full locking services should restart in time for British Summer Time.

After consulting with our Principal Engineer, we can now offer locking services on all tides, but with some restrictions. The outer gates will only open when the water level reaches 5 meters on the outer sill. This means the first lock of the day may be delayed depending on the tide.

Multiple lock movements during tidal operations may be allowed, but only if the tidal supervisor agrees. The last lock times remain as published and can be booked through the Sail Bristol App. First and second lock times will also need approval from the tidal supervisor and must be arranged directly with duty staff.

Tidal attendance periods and notice requirements for tides outside these times remain the same as stated in the notices to mariners.

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"

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.