Cruising Notices
Studland Bay No Anchor Zone
On 17th December 2021 the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) introduced an Interim Voluntary No Anchor Zone off South Beach. From 1st June 2022 the zone was extended North and Eastwards. The MMO will consider By-Laws banning anchoring together if boaters do not comply.
87 Eco Mooring Buoys are now in place as of May 2024 at a standard charge of £10. Google "Studland Bay No Anchor Zone" for more information and how to pay.
Portland Port Harbour Dues - WSC Concessionary Rate Permit
It is a requirement that ALL vessels OPERATING within Portland Harbour pay Port & Harbour Dues.
Weymouth Sailing Club members are granted concessionary seasonal rates for this permit which are highly advantageous on the standard charges.
Length Metres/Feet | Annual | Seasonal | Daily | Weekly | Seasonal Rate for Club Members |
Up to 6.10 / 20 | £78.40 | £46.50 | £6.15 | £17.75 | £17.75 |
Up to 9.15 / 30 | £157.80 | £92.45 | £9.00 | £26.90 | £26.90 |
Up to 12.20 / 40 | £236.15 | £139.45 | £12.45 | £36.60 | £36.60 |
Up to 15.25 / 50 | £315.65 | £184.70 | £15.45 | £46.30 | £46.30 |
These permits must be applied for by the Club direct to Portland Port on behalf of all members who require a seasonal ticket before the final lift ins at Easter. So we have set a final date for application and payment as 1st April 2025
The club will then present a bulk application to Portland Port and once processed distribute permits which will need to be displayed.
If you would like the Club to apply for a permit on your behalf, please email the Hon Gen Sec at gensec@wsc.org.uk with ALL the following details. You will also need to pay the fee due to the club
- Vessel name
- Vessel type
- Hull main colour
- Vessel length overall
- Name (Registered owner)
- Address
- Postcode
- Telephone number
- Fee paid (amount and date)
Please note, this permit is not required for racing organised within the harbour, or for access to Portland Marinas and Boatyards.
Please make payment by BACs as follows
Account Name - Weymouth Sailing Club Sort code - 30-99-56 Account Number - 00090853 Reference - Portland and add your boat name
Cross Channel Reporting Formalities
UK Customs Reporting Procedures
Applicable if heading to, or returning from, any EU country or the Channel Islands.
UK Border force has launched its new digital reporting procedure "submit a Pleasure Craft Report" sPCR. Click here.
OR
For the original paper system, prior to departing the UK, complete and post HMRC Form C1331 Part 1. Returning to the UK, Fly Q Flag from 12 miles off, on arrival Phone National Yachtline before leaving your boat, complete and post Form C1331 Part 2. Click here
FRENCH Customs Reporting Procedures
France currently has two reporting systems running in parallel, the two systems are NOT interchangeable i.e. if you check in on one system you must check out using the same system. Documents that may be required for inspection include: Ships registration, Proof of VAT payment, Boat Insurance, Red Diesel Receipts (remember, no red diesel allowed in cans), VHF licence and VHF Certificate of competence. No Q Flag required unless goods to declare.
PPF (Ports of Entry) PAF (Police aux Frontiere) System. You must enter France at a main Port of Entry, final departure from France must also be from a main Port of Entry. These are Caen-Ouistreham, Cherbourg, Diélette, Carteret, Granville, St Malo, St Brieux, Roscoff and Brest. Complete the PPF/PAF form (one form per boat) and email it to the relevant port on or before arrival and on final departure from France (EU). A different form for different ports, with appropriate email address, is available on line from each. All British citizens passports must be stamped on entry and on final exit from France (EU). All on board will have to present themselves in person to the PAF with passports and boat papers. Check with individual offices for PAF arrangements, but for entering at Port Chantereyne Cherbourg go to their website using the link below. Use the Menu bars top left and follow "Prepare your Stopover at Port Chantereyne" then "Entry Procedure for Boaters from Third Countries ......" Click here.
Non PPF System (Port de Plaisance/Marina entry/exit). A system has been set up between customs, border police and the French federation of marinas, allowing entry into France via certain marinas which are not main border crossing points. A form must be sent to the harbour master (marina office) prior to departure from the Non Schengen country (e.g. UK or Channel Islands). The harbour master will arrange for "electronic stamping" of passports. A form must also be presented to the harbour master on final departure from the Schengen area. For a list of the participating marinas, the form and procedure Click here
Watch this space for further changes to Schengen Area reporting procedures in 2025 when new EES (Entry/Exit System) and ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) are due to be introduced.
St Albans Head & Portland Bill
Guidance notes for going East past St Albans Head and Durlston Head and going West past Portland Bill.
DISCLAIMER
These notes are for guidance ONLY THE INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THAT FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES AND SHOULD BE USED ADVISEDLY.
St Albans Head inshore passage lies approximately 15Nm from Weymouth harbour with Durlston Head a further 3.7Nm. Should the sea be rough then going outside is recommended. You will need to plan a course to take you at least 4/5Nm offshore. However should Lulworth Firing Range be active you will also be required to detour South otherwise you will be chased away by the Lulworth Range Safety Boat (Ch8). For up to date sea conditions you can also call the NCI at St Albans Head (Ch65).
Portland Bill lies approximately 7Nm from Weymouth. Notorious it may be - also called the 'Day Skippers Cape Horn' - but at the right tide times, departing Weymouth no earlier than 3 hours after HW Portland, the inshore passage will give you a magnificent push start across Lyme Bay if going West. Returning from the east it is essential to get the correct arrival time at Portland Bill to ensure safe passage. Of course if your are passaging say Dartmouth to the Needles you will likely take the outside passage. For up to date sea conditions call Portland Bill NCI (Ch65).
Last updated 13:29 on 22 March 2025