Berthing in the Solent combines seamanship with social sense. The region’s harbours welcome thousands of visiting yachts each year, from day-sailers to chartered cruisers. Knowing how to approach, communicate, and behave once alongside makes every stop smoother — for you, the marina staff, and neighbouring crews.
Before entering any harbour, monitor the published VHF channel. In Portsmouth, for instance, the Harbour Control channel broadcasts clear guidance on inbound traffic and tide restrictions. Smaller marinas around the Solent often monitor Channel 80 for visitors. A concise radio call — name of vessel, position, and request for visitor berth — sets the tone for courteous exchange. Always wait for acknowledgment before advancing past entrance buoys.
Within marked limits, slow to the minimum steerage speed. Excess wake can damage other boats or unsettle people boarding. Even if no patrol boat is in sight, maintaining calm water shows respect for others’ moorings and keeps your own insurance record spotless.
Most visitor pontoons are clearly signed, yet conditions may change with events or maintenance. If instructed to raft alongside another yacht, approach slowly from downwind and confirm fender positions before contact. A friendly greeting across the deck often breaks the ice and prevents confusion later when leaving.
Once secured, tidy your lines so they do not cross the walkway. Keep power cables clear of trip paths and coil excess neatly. If you connect to shore power, ensure leads are rated for marine use and sockets are dry. Many incidents stem not from storms but from untidy leads and open plugs.
Marinas are floating villages. Voices and music carry farther over water than most realise. After 22:00, conversation levels should drop to normal speech. Early-morning departures are fine — just avoid heavy footsteps on neighbours’ decks. Simple awareness builds reputation faster than any flag.
Use marina facilities for waste disposal, recycling, and pump-out. Emptying grey water directly into the harbour is discouraged and, in many places, restricted under local by-laws. Keeping decks free of litter isn’t just environmental duty; it also prevents slips when the pontoon is wet.
When lines are cast off, a brief wave or thank-you to staff or rafted neighbours closes the visit gracefully. Departing against the tide often requires more power; plan manoeuvres early and communicate intentions to nearby boats. Remember that leaving quietly is as much part of etiquette as arriving politely.
Cowes, Lymington, and Gosport each have subtle variations in traffic patterns and signals. Cowes maintains a fairway divided by red and green piles; crossing mid-stream without clearance risks both confusion and fines. Reading harbour guides before arrival saves stress later and helps newcomers blend into local rhythm.
These waters have centuries of maritime tradition. Treating docks and facilities carefully honours that legacy. Whether you’re chartering with Solent Sailhouse or sailing your own yacht, behaving considerately ensures harbours remain welcoming to everyone.
Solent Sailhouse
12 The Hard, Portsmouth PO1 3DT, England
Phone +44 23 9400 7123 Email [email protected]
Etiquette afloat isn’t about strict formality; it’s about awareness. When boats meet quietly, share berths politely, and depart without fuss, the Solent remains what it has always been — a busy stretch of sea where professionalism and kindness sail side by side.