Pilotage Directions Amendment – Weymouth Harbour

Overview

Notice of public consultation

Closing Date 25^th July 2025

Pilotage Directions Amendment – Weymouth Harbour

Introduction

Weymouth Harbour, as a Competent Harbour Authority (CHA) under the Pilotage Act 1987(the Act), intends to amend its Pilotage Directions. This consultation is issued in accordance with Section 7 of the Act and invites feedback from stakeholders on the proposed changes. This Public Consultation Notice gives both notice and detail of the changes. We welcome comments from owners of ships that customarily navigate within Weymouth Harbour, Harbour operators and users, local agents, port user groups, and other stakeholders.

The amendment reflects the findings of the 2021 Marico Marine Pilotage Review, subsequent risk assessments, and strategic developments including the Weymouth Harbour General Directions 2024 and enhanced navigational safety systems. A draft copy of the updated Pilotage Directions are contained in full, as an appendix to this notice (also in the 'Related' section at the bottom of this page), with a brief summary below. If you need to access the draft document in an alternative format, please contact the Weymouth Harbour Office.

Summary of Proposed Change

Currently, pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 50 metres in length overall. The proposed amendment will revise the threshold for compulsory pilotage to apply only to vessels over 80 metres in length overall.

This change is intended as an interim measure while the formal process to remove Weymouth’s CHA status is underway with the Department for Transport (DfT). It ensures continued compliance with statutory obligations and maintains proportionate risk control for larger vessels.

Rationale

A formal review by Marico Marine in 2021 concluded that:

• the baseline navigational risk without pilotage is Low.
• pilotage only marginally reduces this risk, remaining within the Low-risk band.

Weymouth Harbour’s own updated risk assessments support this conclusion, confirming that pilotage does not significantly enhance safety when other control measures are in place. The harbour is transitioning toward a leisure and smaller vessels focus, aligning with redevelopment plans for the Peninsula area, and further reducing the need for pilotage services.

Weymouth Harbour has a suite of modern safety controls, including:

• Weymouth Harbour General Directions 2024
• AIS monitoring
• Recently expanded and upgraded CCTV systems
• Weather Station
• VHF radio systems

These measures provide robust alternatives to traditional pilotage and ensure continued navigational safety.

Weymouth Harbour has engaged with the DfT to remove its CHA status. The DfT has responded positively and is considering a collective legislative notice for multiple ports. This amendment serves as a practical interim step during that process.

This proposal demonstrates Weymouth Harbour’s commitment to keeping pilotage requirements under review (Pilotage Act 1987, Section 2), and aligning with the Port & Marine Facilities Safety Code (PMSC) and MCA’s Guide to Good Practice.

Responses

Any comments you may have in response to this consultation exercise should be addressed, in writing, to the address below, or by e-mail to: pilotageconsultation@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk, to arrive by the 25^th of July 2025.

Pilotage Directions Amendment Consultation, Weymouth Harbour, 13 Custom House Quay, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8BG

All comments must be submitted before the closing date.

Yours sincerely,

Ed Carter

Dorset Council Harbours Manager & Weymouth Harbour Master