Brightlingsea Harbour

04/09/2026

Due to the high winds predicted today (Friday 4th Sept), our foot ferry service is suspended until tomorrow (Saturday 5th Sept).

We apologise for any disappointment but our customers comfort and safety is always our first priority .

03/09/2026

Today we mark Merchant Navy Day, recognising the men and women, past and present, who have made their living at sea and kept our country connected with the rest of the world.

As a harbour community with a proud maritime heritage, it’s a day that has particular meaning here in Brightlingsea and an opportunity to celebrate those who have built their careers at sea, as well as the next generation of seafarers beginning theirs.

To all those who have gone to sea – past, present and future – thank you.

26/08/2026

Brightlingsea Harbour from the Sky🌊✨

10/08/2026

Proud moment at Brightlingsea Harbour as we handed over a cheque for £600 to our amazing First Responders! 🚑

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Duck Race at the Regatta, and to the amazing local businesses who donated prizes – we couldn’t have done it without you!❤️

09/08/2026

09/08/2026

STATEMENT – HARBOUR DUES AND VESSELS LAUNCHING FROM POINT CLEAR

Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners are aware that misinformation is currently being circulated suggesting that personal watercraft (jet skis) and other vessels launching from Point Clear are exempt from paying Brightlingsea Harbour dues.

This information is incorrect.

Point Clear and the waters into which vessels are launched from the Point Clear launching area fall within the statutory limits of Brightlingsea Harbour. A vessel does not become exempt from Harbour dues simply because it is launched from Point Clear rather than from a facility operated directly by Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners.

There is no Brightlingsea Harbour launch fee or tariff for the physical use of the Point Clear launching site. This should not, however, be confused with Harbour dues. Once a vessel is launched and uses the waters of Brightlingsea Harbour, the applicable Harbour dues remain payable.

The use of the Harbour is supported by the statutory framework governing Brightlingsea Harbour, including Section 33 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847, which provides:

“Upon payment of the rates made payable by this and the special Act, and subject to the other provisions thereof, the harbour, dock, and pier shall be open to all persons…”

Brightlingsea Harbour receives no public funding for its day-to-day operation. Harbour dues are therefore an important contribution towards the cost of providing and maintaining a safe harbour for all users, regardless of where their vessel is launched.

Harbour charges contribute towards:

1. Safe management of the Harbour and its navigable waters.
2. Surveying and charting of depths within the Harbour.
3. Removal of wrecks, obstructions and other navigational hazards.
4. Dredging and maintenance of navigational channels.
5. Provision, inspection and maintenance of navigational buoys and marks.
6. Management and maintenance of harbour jetties and facilities available to Harbour users.
7. Provision and maintenance of speed-limit and speed-zone marker buoys.
8. Preparation and provision of safety information, signage and guidance for Harbour users.
9. Assistance and recovery of vessels which break down or ground.
10. Harbour patrols undertaken to promote and enforce the safe use of Harbour waters.
11. Environmental management, including oil-spill response capability, equipment and training.
12. Waste management.
13. The employment, training and equipment of the Harbour staff required to undertake these responsibilities.

Personal watercraft are vessels using the Harbour and are not exempt from Harbour Dues merely because they have launched from Point Clear.

Harbour users should also ensure that they comply with the terms and conditions of their own vessel insurance. Failure to comply with applicable harbour requirements or charges may have implications for insurance cover, depending upon the terms of the individual policy. Users should check this directly with their insurer where they are unsure.

Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners would therefore ask harbour users not to rely upon information circulated through social media or by third parties regarding exemptions from Harbour Dues.

Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners

30/07/2026

These 3 lovely border collies were checking out the water temp at the harbour all ready for you to come and visit us this weekend .
( photo used with owners permission )

27/07/2026

While the Essex Police Marine Unit was patrolling with the Brightlingsea Harbour Master at the weekend, officers stopped a personal watercraft rider on suspicion of speeding.

The rider, a man in his 80s from the Clacton area, has been reported to Colchester City Council for prosecution for breaching the river byelaws.

He was spotted on Saturday 25 July, travelling at 15knots along Brightlingsea Creek, exceeding the 4-knot speed limit.

It comes just days after three other men, aged 19, 24 and 29, were reported for travelling at speeds between 15 and 20 knots on the nearby River Colne.

The marine officers were out on the water all weekend as part of , their ongoing initiative to keep Essex’s coastline and marine communities safe by tackling anti-social behaviour, speeding, and dangerous use of personal watercraft and small vessels along the 350-mile Essex coastline.

PC Craig Stocker says local water byelaws and speed limits are in place to ensure everyone can use the water safely.

They are on display at every slipway and, at Brightlingsea, you can check with the harbour master.

Read our PWC Code of Conduct, which can be found on the Marine Unit pages on our website – where you can also find out more about local water byelaws.

For advice about staying safe in the water, visit the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service website and search Water Safety.

27/07/2026

Some recent Harbour shots🛥⚓
Thank you Lowboysdads Pics / Tony Lopez for sharing these with us they are amazing as always📸

21/07/2026

🚤 New Measures Introduced to Improve Personal Watercraft Safety on the River Colne & Colchester Waters

Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners have been working closely with Colchester City Council over the past few months to address the increasing number of incidents involving the unsafe and anti-social use of Personal Watercraft (PWCs), including jet skis and similar craft.

We are pleased to announce that, from Friday 17th July, a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is now in force across all public coastal, tidal, estuarine and river waters within Colchester City Council's administrative area that are open to public use by PWCs.

This includes:
📍 The River Colne and Colne Estuary
📍 Brightlingsea and Brightlingsea Creek
📍 Wivenhoe, Rowhedge and Fingringhoe
📍 Mersea Island
📍 Pyefleet Channel
📍 Roman River, Salary Brook, Bourne Brook and connected creeks and watercourses

The PSPO has been introduced to improve safety for everyone enjoying our waterways.

Key requirements include:
• 🚤 A maximum speed of 4 knots within 300 metres of the shoreline and in designated low-speed/no-wake areas.
• ⚠️ No dangerous or anti-social riding, including excessive wake, aggressive manoeuvres or riding in bathing areas.
• 🍺 No operating a PWC under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• ⚓ PWCs must not be moored to navigation marks, buoys, private property, or left obstructing slipways, navigation channels or emergency access.

These measures are designed to protect swimmers, paddleboarders, kayakers, sailors, wildlife and all other water users, while ensuring everyone can continue to enjoy our waterways safely and responsibly. The PSPO will remain in force for an initial period of three years.

What else is being done?

This forms part of a wider programme of measures to improve safety on the River Colne:

✅ Security staff funder by Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners are now present at the Point Clear launch site, recording the details of all PWC users launching there and ensuring the appropriate Harbour Dues have been paid.

✅ Regular harbour patrols are taking place throughout the summer to promote safe navigation, provide advice and, where necessary, take enforcement action, funded by Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners and Colchester City Council.

✅ Additional speed limit marker buoys have been installed and existing buoys repositioned to make speed-restricted areas clearer for all water users.

We'd like to thank the vast majority of PWC users who operate responsibly and respectfully. These measures are aimed at the small minority whose behaviour puts others at risk.

Further details can be found here:https://cbccrmdata.blob.core.windows.net/noteattachment/CBC-null-Personal-Watercraft-(PWC)-Official_PSPO_Waterways_2026_Signed.pdf