The Marine Management Organisation has made the Lyme Regis, Bridport (West Bay) and Weymouth Harbour Revision Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/62) under section 14 of the Harbours Act 1964. The instrument was made on 26 January 2026, laid before Parliament on 30 January 2026 and comes into force on 20 February 2026. It modernises and consolidates powers for Lyme Regis and Bridport (West Bay) and updates elements of the Weymouth Harbour regime.
Dorset Council is confirmed as the statutory harbour authority for Lyme Regis and Bridport (West Bay) and may appoint harbour masters. It also acts as a local lighthouse authority under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Most provisions of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 are incorporated with modifications, including level 4 penalties for failing to comply with certain harbour master directions; these incorporations do not apply to Weymouth Harbour.
Jurisdictional limits are set by WGS84 coordinates and supported by deposited harbour limits and harbour premises plans. If a plan and the written description diverge, the description prevails. The Council must keep the plans available at the harbour offices and on the official harbour websites and, where premises boundaries change, publish replacement plans within 30 days.
Operational governance is formalised. The Council must publish and maintain a Harbours Business Plan and have regard to it when performing harbour functions. Interaction with statutory undertakers is safeguarded: works must not interfere with protected apparatus without consent. The Council also holds general duties for maintenance, operation, management and improvement, including conservation of flora, fauna and features of special interest.
The Order provides a complete charging framework (articles 10–20). Dorset Council may levy reasonable charges for vessels that are not ‘ships’ under the 1964 Act, and for services and facilities across the harbour undertaking. Charges may be set with regard to the overall viability of the harbour undertaking, though each harbour’s revenue must cover its own working, establishment and maintenance costs year by year. Terms can require pre‑payment, deposits or guarantees; unpaid sums may be recovered as debts, and vessels or goods may be detained until charges are settled.
Liability for charges is clarified: owners or masters are liable for vessel charges; owners, consignees or shippers for goods. Wharfingers and carriers may obtain a lien when they pay charges on goods in their custody. Exemptions from ship, passenger and goods dues apply to HM Revenue and Customs, the Ministry of Defence, lifeboat services and police and other emergency services when acting in their core duties, unless otherwise agreed.
Direction‑making powers are updated. Dorset Council may issue general directions for navigation, safety, environmental protection and harbour operations ashore (articles 21–23). A statutory consultation procedure applies: notices must be sent to designated consultees-the Chamber of Shipping, the Royal Yachting Association and the Harbours Advisory Group-and be displayed online and at the harbour for at least six weeks. Where objections are maintained, an independent adjudicator-appointed by agreement or, failing that, by the President of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association-reports within a target of 12 weeks before the Council decides whether to proceed. A public register of all in‑force general directions must be kept at the harbour office and online. Emergency and short‑duration cases have a streamlined process.
Harbour masters retain specific powers to issue special directions to individual vessels, including for movement, mooring, cargo handling, ballast, firefighting and removal of unsafe or obstructive craft (article 24). Failure to comply with a general or special direction is an offence punishable by a level 4 fine, with a due diligence defence available. The Council may carry out works itself if a special direction is ignored and recover costs from the owner or master.
Moorings are reorganised. The Council may provide and charge for moorings and can require removal of private moorings where necessary, offering an alternative position when laid. A licensing regime applies to private moorings; owners or users of existing lawful moorings must obtain a Council licence within 12 weeks of 20 February 2026. Unauthorised or obstructive moorings may be removed, with offences attracting level 4 fines.
Commercial refuelling activities-including bunkering or recharging-are brought under licence. Licences are valid for one year, subject to reasonable fees and conditions, and operating without a licence is an offence punishable by a level 4 fine (article 40).
Navigation and dredging powers are clarified. Aids to navigation adjacent to the harbours may be installed, altered or removed by Dorset Council with Trinity House approval. Dredged materials must be managed in accordance with waste law. The statutory exemption for maintenance dredging in section 75 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 does not apply to Lyme Regis harbour, meaning marine licensing requirements remain in place there.
Safety and enforcement around structures and obstructions are strengthened. Where privately controlled landing places, jetties, pontoons or similar features become dangerous or hinder navigation, the Council may serve notice requiring remedial action, with a right of appeal to the Secretary of State. Powers with respect to wrecks are aligned with section 252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995: save for emergencies, owners receive at least 48 hours’ notice and may issue a counter‑notice to undertake removal themselves. The Council may sell or break up unserviceable vessels after notice and remove non‑vessel obstructions, accounting for sale proceeds and vesting unclaimed property after statutory periods.
Land and commercial powers are modernised. The Council may use or develop land in or near the harbours, form or invest in companies to carry out harbour activities, lease or dispose of property that is surplus or better held by another party, and appropriate areas for exclusive or preferential uses where justified for efficient operation. Core functions listed in the Harbours Act 1964 cannot be delegated. Trinity House rights and Crown rights are preserved.
Weymouth Harbour is affected in two ways. First, the 2021 Order’s general direction powers are replaced with the updated consultation and adjudication procedure used for Lyme Regis and West Bay. Second, section 33 of the 1847 Act (the open port duty) is restricted in Weymouth to vessels up to 24 metres in length and disapplied within the peninsula area defined on the deposited plan. Minor textual and consequential amendments to the 2021 Order are also made.
For harbour users, the timeline is immediate. From 20 February 2026, operators should check the published register of general directions and any emergency notices, confirm charging schedules and payment terms, and ensure compliance with any licence requirements. Owners of existing private moorings have 12 weeks from commencement to secure a Council licence. Firms undertaking commercial refuelling should obtain annual licences before trading. Event organisers and commercial operators should note that general directions can apply both afloat and ashore within the harbour premises, and that enforcement powers-including detention for unpaid charges-are now clearly set out in the Order.