Depositing of Moorings and Temporary Markers - KHM Portsmouth LNTM No. 35/26
Published 09:30 on 12 Feb 2026
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the King's Harbour Master Portsmouth Mariners, yacht clubs, event organisers and marine contractors are reminded that the depositing, laying or installation of any moorings, piles, buoys or temporary markers, including those associated with racing or other organised events, within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth is subject to statutory control and requires prior approval.
2. The construction, placement or retention of any pile mooring, swinging mooring, trot mooring, or similar apparatus is not permitted without the consent of the Kings Harbour Master (KHM). In many cases, such activity will also require licensing from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and/or the Crown Estate. Consent from KHM is unlikely to be granted where moorings are proposed outside established and properly licensed mooring areas within Portsmouth Harbour.
3. Mariners are specifically reminded of the provisions of the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth Order 2005. Regulation 3 of Schedule 1 states that no person shall lay down, place, renew or retain any merchant or private mooring within the Dockyard Port without the permission of the Kings Harbour Master. For the avoidance of doubt, the deployment of temporary marker buoys, including racing marks or other similar buoyage is included in the definition of moorings.
4. Whilst Article 26A of the Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) Order 2011 permits the placement of certain temporary markers for periods of less than 28 days in limited circumstances, the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth Order 2005 requires that permission from KHM must be sought before installing any marker, regardless of duration.
5. As a condition of any MMO marine licence, the depositing and subsequent removal of markers must be formally agreed with KHM. Event organisers and applicants must ensure that the proposed positions, duration, method of deployment and recovery, and any required lighting or configuration have been approved by KHM Portsmouth prior to installation. All markers must be removed promptly once no longer required.
6. Mariners are further reminded that Portsmouth Harbour contains several environmentally designated sites, including the Eastern Solent Special Protection Area and the Portsmouth Harbour Site of Special Scientific Interest. Additional assurance may be required, and applicants may need to agree an appropriate methodology with Natural England or the Joint Nature Conservation Committee before any activity can be authorised.
7. All persons proposing to deposit moorings, race markers or other buoyage are responsible for ensuring they understand the status of the area in which activity is planned, that appropriate site checks have been completed, and that all necessary consents have been obtained prior to deployment. Failure to do so may result in unauthorised equipment being directed for removal.
8. For all enquiries and applications relating to the placement of moorings, race markers or temporary buoyage within the Dockyard Port, contact Kings Harbour Master Portsmouth and review the MMO licensing requirements online.
Last updated 09:30 on 12 February 2026