Rye harbour: passage, pilot and mooring information for boaters
Navigation, passage planning, pilotage service, mooring details and charges for boaters using Rye Harbour.
Navigation and passage planning
The port of Rye is a fully operational commercial harbour with a large fishing and leisure fleet. There are a number of navigation aids in place to assist you.
Regulation of vessels underway
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions At Sea (COLREGs) operate throughout the harbour. Particular attention must be given to keeping a good lookout, especially astern.
A maximum speed limit of 6 knots is enforced throughout the harbour. Boats should manoeuvre at dead slow when passing moored boats.
VHF radio channels
Boats fitted with VHF radio are advised to monitor VHF channel 14 whilst manoeuvring in the harbour or its approaches:
- Rye Harbour VHF channel 14
- Lydd firing range VHF channel 73 or 13
East Pier foghorn
One short blast every 7 seconds.
International Port Traffic Signals
International Port Traffic Signals are regularly operated in the harbour. You must comply with these signals when they are switched on. They are located on the East Pier and three quarters of a mile (1km) inland, near the Harbour Master’s office.
These are only switched on when there are commercial traffic movements. When a cargo vessel is being piloted in the harbour:
- lights will show on the signal masts by the harbour office
- amber lights will flash on the harbour office roof
All vessels must keep clear of the entrance and the main channel during this time.
Contact Rye Harbour radio (VHF channel 14), before entering the harbour.
Navigating the harbour
Navigating Rye Bay
(Admiralty Charts Nos. 2451 536 1991)
In strong on-shore winds, the seas in Rye Bay can be very rough, often breaking well off-shore. Take care when you approach the harbour entrance in on-shore winds greater than force 6.
If you approach from the west, keep at least 2 miles off-shore in a depth of not less than 6 metres. When Rye Fairway Buoy is sighted (Spherical R.W.Fl every 10 sec), position 50 54 04N 00048 02E-149 degrees true X 1.8 nautical miles from the harbour entrance.
There are numerous anchored gill nets in the bay. These are usually marked at each end by dan buoys and have a minimum depth of water over them of 2 metres.
Lydd firing range
The Ministry of Defence operate the Lydd Firing Range to the east of Rye Harbour. It extends 3 miles along the coast with prohibited areas to seaward varying in distance from 1.5 nautical miles to 2.5 nautical miles.
When firing is taking place there are range safety patrol boats to give advice to mariners (VHF channel 73 or 13). Firing times can be obtained from the Harbour Master’s office (telephone 01797 225225).
Rye Harbour approaches
The easiest approach to the entrance is from the Fairway Buoy, on a rhumb line course of 329 true, keeping the port and starboard entrance markers wide open. The harbour entrance is 42 metres wide and is marked by a red painted tripod beacon (flashes red every 8 secs) 30 metres seaward of the West Groyne, approximate position 50°55’.55N 000°46’.65E.
Harbour entrance
The west side is marked by a red tripod beacon. The light flashes red every 8 seconds positioned 30 metres seaward of the West Groyne. Don’t attempt to pass between the tripod and the West Groyne. There may be strong eddies inside the West Groyne during the flood stream. Mariners should be prepared to apply correcting helm (usually to starboard) when passing the West Groyne.
The East Pier, which is submerged at high water springs, is a further 240 metres inland. It has a green square steel structure with a green board at the top which flashes white every 15 seconds. The seaward face of the green board is illuminated at night. The East Pier also has 4 unlit starboard hand beacons.
Main channel
Once inside the piers there is good shelter in all conditions. The channel narrows to 30 metres and runs straight (329 true) for half a mile with:
- Rye Harbour village on the west bank
- the Harbour Master’s office on the east bank
Attention must be paid to the west training wall which submerges at high water but is well marked by port hand beacons and lights. The east training wall is sloping and is marked by starboard hand beacons and lights. The River Rother has a maximum flood stream of 5 knots on spring tides and reaches this maximum velocity between high water and 1 hour.
All new arrivals must stop at the visitor’s jetty and report to the harbour office for berthing instructions and further navigation information.
Rye Harbour dries out completely at low tide. Boats should not approach the harbour more than 2 hours before high water and more than 3 hours after high water.
Boaters without good local knowledge wishing to berth in the soft mud near the town of Rye should not arrive at the entrance to the harbour later than 1 hour after high water.
Pilotage direction and services
Pilotage is compulsory for all ships over 30 metres long navigating in any part of the Harbour of Rye. Requests for specific pilotage services must be made to the Harbour Master, with 24 hours notice. Less notice may be accepted in specific circumstances.
Any ship navigating to the Harbour of Rye and liable to pilotage in the harbour should establish radio contact with the Harbour Master to notify his position. This should be done when no more than 5 and no less than 2 nautical miles from the No. 2 red light tripod beacon. Ships should not proceed closer without the Harbour Master’s direction.
Any ship navigating to or from the harbour and liable to pilotage in the harbour should board or land a pilot no less than 1 nautical mile from No. 2 red light tripod beacon.
Pilotage direction does not apply to:
- ships that are less than 20 metres long
- fishing boats that are less than 47.4 metres long
Moorings
Strand Quay: visitor moorings
The visitor moorings will be closed from autumn 2024 until spring 2025.
No visitor berths are available during this closure.
Contact the Rye Harbour office for more information:
- by email: rye.harbour@environment-agency.gov.uk
- by telephone: 01797 225 225
Annual moorings
Annual moorings are available on request. Contact the Harbour Office for more details.
There are also a number of private operators offering long-term moorings along the rock channel.
Public slipway
Rye Harbour public slipway is open all year round. It is next to Rye Harbour lifeboat station in the village of Rye Harbour. To use the slipway you must buy a disc from the Harbour Office or from Rye Harbour Marine.
Rye Harbour charges
Harbour dues
All vessels using the harbour must first pay for a harbour dues disc from the Harbour Office.
You must display your registration disc clearly on your boat, preferably on a forward facing window.
VAT is chargeable on all dues and fees, but dues related to the carriage of cargo are zero-rated. Annual fees are for the period of 1 April in any year to 31 March in the following year.
Charges for visiting boats
These prices include VAT, harbour fees, use of water, toilets and showers.
| Number of days | Under 10 metres | Over 10 metres |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | £20 | £25 |
| 2 days | £40 | £50 |
| 3 days | £60 | £75 |
| 4 days | £80 | £100 |
| 5 days | £100 | £125 |
| 6 days | £120 | £150 |
| Number of weeks | Under 10 metres | Over 10 metres |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | £120 | £150 |
| 2 weeks | £200 | £250 |
| 3 weeks | £300 | £350 |
Navigation and mooring charges
There are different charges for commercial vessels and other types of boats, such as dinghy’s and canoes.
For details of the harbour and mooring fees you need to pay see Rye harbour: navigation charges.
Rye Harbour safety plan for marine operations
The Environment Agency is committed to promoting good management of its available resources to:
- carry out and regulate marine operations in a way that safeguards the Rye Harbour, its users, the public and the environment to achieve the standard of marine safety required by the Port Marine Safety Code
- encourage use of Rye Harbour and ensure that its economic development considers and balances the views and needs of all stakeholders with the use of natural resources and conservation of the environment
Safety plan management targets 2023 to 2026
Target 1: navigational incidents
Action: marine activities and risks will be regularly reviewed. Risks will be as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).
Measure of success: there will be no major incidents, serious injuries or serious pollution because of a failure of the safety management system.
Target 2: conservancy and hydrographic surveys
Actions:
- we will provide and maintain navigation aids
- a triannual bathymetry survey will also be carried out
Measure of success:
- aids to navigation will meet the availability targets set by Trinity House
- we will ensure that the port and approaches have an adequate plan of hydrographic surveys - these are undertaken in line with industry standards for hydrographic surveying
- information about hydrographic surveys will be shared with UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)
Target 3: pilotage service
Action: provide a pilotage service.
Measure of success: no major incident because of pilot or PEC holder error.
Target 4: training of marine personnel
Action: put a training policy in place.
Measure of success: there will be continuous professional development and enough training for marine personnel.
Target 5: liaison and consultation with port stakeholders
Actions:
- Rye Harbour advisory committee to meet at least 3 times per year
- a continuous review of risk assessments by the committee
Measures of success:
- there will be regular consultation about marine safety matters for new and existing activities
- there will be committee oversight of operational risk assessments
Target 6: port marine safety code (PMSC) and designated person provision
Action: there will be an independent annual audit of the Marine Safety Management System.
Measure of success:
- we will be compliant with the requirements of the PMSC
- observations and corrections will be carried out in a timely manner
Target 7: legislation and powers
Action: will we carry out an annual review of legislation and powers.
Measure of success:
- the powers available to the Harbour Authority will be appropriate and fit for purpose
- there will be a legal review of local acts, orders and byelaws
Target 8: health and safety
Actions:
- we will comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- we will comply with The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
Measure of success:
- we will adhere to the provision and use of work equipment regulations
- we will appoint a LOLER responsible officer – all LOLER equipment is maintained, inspected in accordance with the operational instruction
Target 9: marine procedures
Action: maintain appropriate standard operating procedures.
Measure of success: procedures will be reviewed during the life of the plan. These will take into account any relevant changes in guidance and or legislation.
Target 10: environment
Actions:
- maintain oil spill preparedness plan in accordance with regulations UK Statutory Instruments 1998 No. 1056
- maintain Port Waste management Plan in accordance with regulations - The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Port Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2003
Measure of success:
- the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) plan will be revalidated by Maritime and Coastguard
Agency (MCA) – continuous record maintained of training events - the Port Waste Management plan will be revalidated by the MCA. The plan ensures appropriate systems in place to deal with harbour waste
Contact Rye Harbour
Harbour Master: James Bateman
Deputy Harbour Master: Karl Sandercock
Rye Harbour Office
New Lydd Road
Camber, East Sussex
TN31 7QS
Email: rye.harbour@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone: 01797 225 225
Fax: 01797 227429
VHF Channel 14
Last updated 30 May 2024 + show all updates
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Updated with the safety plan for marine operations 2023 to 2026.
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We have provided updated information about the Strand Quay visitor moorings.
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Updated the details for the visitor moorings (Strand Quay) as they will be open from April to October.
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Updated the 'Moorings' section. The visitor moorings in the Strand Quay are closed October 2022 to late March 2023.
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Updated the pilotage direction and services section with information about boats that are exempt.
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Updated charges for visiting boats and added information about the harbour marine safety plan.
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First published.