General Directions and Collision Regulations.

Cowes Harbour Commission has a statutory duty to ensure the safety of all harbour users and use General Directions (GDs) to promote safe navigation and the safety of people using the harbour. The GDs replaced the Cowes Harbour Byelaws in 2013, are fully enforceable and anyone who is in contravention of them may be liable for prosecution.



The International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea Regulations (IRPCS), often referred to as the ‘Collision Regulations’, outline the responsibilities of all vessels when they are in or potentially in a collision situation with another vessel. The IRPCS Regulations apply to all harbour users, both commercial and recreational, at all times of day in all states of visibility. The IRPCS Regulations ensure that all vessels are aware of their responsibilities under the Regulations, as well as other vessels’ responsibilities.

In our duty to ensure the safety of all harbour users, the IRPCS Regulations have been made a part of the GDs and are referred to in GD 3.1.1. Therefore, any vessel found not to be following the IRPCS Regulations will also be found in contravention of the GDs. Further information on the GDs can be found here.

A brief summary of some the key GDs that harbour users tend to forget:

• Rule 9 Vessels in a narrow channel – (GD 3.1.2.) Vessels navigating in the Outer Fairway shall comply with Rule 9 of the Collision Regulations.
• Speed Limit – (GD 3.2.1.) Every vessel within the Inner harbour or 100m of the High Water mark, shall be navigated at a speed not exceeding 6 knots through the water.
• Wash – (GD 3.3) A vessel shall not be navigated so as to cause a wash that may cause damage or endanger the safety of other persons.
• Swimming – (GD 4.4.6) Swimming is prohibited within the fairways and in any areas around or from mooring or berthing facilities.
• Sailing in the Inner Harbour – (GD 4.6) Every vessel fitted with sails and an auxiliary engine shall have it running and ready for immediate use.
• Give way to the Chain Ferry – (GD section 6) You must give way to the Chain Ferry, unless you have contacted them and prearranged to pass.

There are many more GDs that are in place to ensure that all those using Cowes Harbour are able to do so safely. As part of your passage planning, do make sure to review them on our website before you set off and our Patrol Officers can give you a cheery wave rather than a blue light and siren.

Capt. Jon Kidd

Cowes Harbour Master

Over the last few years, there has been a marked increase in the number of propulsion failure incidents within the Solent area. The majority of these incidents are the result of a general lack of maintenance. To reduce the number of incidents, Cowes Harbour Commission has joined up with ABP Southampton, KHM Portsmouth, Portsmouth International Port and Langstone Harbour to help educate boatowners and raise awareness of the importance of proper engine maintenance.



Throughout the year, we will be posting on our Social Media pages and newsletter topics relating to different aspects of engine maintenance to help you get the most out of the season.

Cowes Harbour 2024 Tide Tables Booklet Published

The 2024 Cowes Harbour Handbook was published in the lead-up to Easter. This year though, in line with the 2022-27 strategic plan, the published booklet has been slimmed down. Still containing information pertinent to harbour users on the water such as tide tables and Buoy Racer chart the booklet is a must for every sailor's chart table. Other information, which may have previously been contained in the handbook such as fuel berth information, weather information a Cowes High Street Directory and details on water taxis can now be found in the new Cowes Harbour WebApp. The beauty of the app is that it is always up to date. Business in Cowes can present their latest promotions while fuel prices, weather and tide information are always current, no pun intended.

You can pick up your copy of the booklet from one of several partner businesses in Cowes or pop along to one of the Cowes Harbour offices at either Town Quay, Separds Marina or Kingston Boatyard. To access the app, head to app.cowes.co.uk or scan the QR code below.

Scan the QR code above to navigate to the Cowes Harbour WebApp. From there you will be able to bookmark the app and see all Cowes has to offer without the need to navigate in future.

Check back regularly as we're often making updates

Some of you may have seen a CHC LNTM issued at the end of last week, notifying of a planned move of the Trinity House Mooring Buoy. Captain Jon Kidd takes this opportunity to provide the reasoning behind the move.

For some time, CHC has been working hard behind the scenes to encourage more cruise ships to call to the Island, using Cowes as their anchorage. The hope is that by bringing these visitors to the Island we can increase income to the businesses of Cowes and the wider Island tourist industry while also promoting the Island as a destination to a global audience.



One drawback with the current anchorage off Cowes is that it is limited in terms of available area and therefore bigger cruise ships must anchor further away. For larger cruise ships we are a less desirable location, as poor weather and the distance to the Harbour become more of an issue for the passengers and tenders that run them in and out.

With this in mind, CHC began a project to create more space for ships to anchor. To achieve this we agreed Trinity House will move their Mooring Buoy. The buoy will be returned to its 1980s position which will provide safer access for Trinity House tenders to run in/out of Cowes, via the Eastern Channel. It will also mean that their vessels are anchored further away from the busy main entrance and the start/finish lines for races, reducing the risk of another vessel striking them – there have been many close calls over the years.

Once the Mooring Buoy takes up its new home, there is a little more work for CHC to do before we can welcome larger vessels into the anchorage, but we are working very closely with the yacht clubs and classes and other stakeholders to ensure that the finished project does not adversely impact the many popular events and activities that take place in the Outer Harbour throughout the year. 

THV Alert alongside Trinity Landing & a Trinity House buoy undergoing maintenance. ©Trinity House

You know the season is well and truly underway when the cruise ships begin calling in Cowes Harbour. Friday 12 April was a slightly more special affair though, not only was this the first cruise ship call of the year but a maiden call at that.

Cowes Harbour welcomes for the first time, Seabourn Venture, an ultra-luxury expedition vessel launched in 2021. At 172m in length and 24m beam, she is home to up to 264 passengers on expeditions across the globe including polar voyages in summer and autumn.

Harbour Master Jon Kidd accepted the kind invitation of Captain Sasha Skladnoi and went aboard to exchange commemorative plaques in honour of the maiden call.

Never before seen Smart Service Packages launched before Easyer at Kingston Boatyard in East Cowes have caused a stir with many boat owners looking to take up the added value services available for the first time this year.

The packages, which combine some of the most popular services used by boatyard customers create the opportunity to save significant amounts compared to purchasing them separately. Cowes Harbour is the first to market in Cowes with these combined service packages which include lift & launch and time ashore in the boatyard to complete the work. From a simple anti-foul treatment to a winter storage and maintenance package, we're confident the majority of boatowners will benefit from the discounts available of up to 23% depending on services and boat size.

For more information, contact the boatyard directly or head to the website.

Water Taxi Information CLICK HERE

Fuel Berth Information CLICK HERE

Advertise with us

If you are a company, large or small offering products and services to the sailing community, water users or even visitors to Cowes we can help you get your business message in front of the right people. We have a range of outside advertising spaces at Trinity Landing, Shepards Marina and Town Quay.

Prices vary depending on location but every package includes the cost of the banner. We can even create the artwork for you. For further information please email marketing.chc@cowes.co.uk

If you have any questions about Cowes Harbour, Shepards Marina or Kingston Boatyard, please pop in, give the team a call or send us an email

Stay safe and have fun afloat,

Gary and the Cowes Harbour Commission team

Cowes Harbour Commission | Website

Harbour Office: 01983 293 952

Shepards Marina: 01983 297 821

Kingston Boatyard: 01983 299 385