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Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

From:
Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations (RFCA)
Published:
2 October 2026
Pledged:
Armed Forces Friendly, UK Service Veterans And Leavers, Flexible Leave For Spouses, UK Cadets and Bespoke Pledges
Region:
Wessex
Company size:
10-49 Small
Industry:
Other
Ownership:
Private
Date signed:
26 August 2026

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, His Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:

  • no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
  • and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.

Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:

  • Armed Forces Friendly
  • UK Service Veterans And Leavers
  • Flexible Leave For Spouses
  • UK Cadets

We also pledge the following:

  • Visiting Ships: Provide safe berths for vessels of our armed forces and our allies, including blue ensign vessels and historic vessels. We will provide all facilities and services to ensure these are smooth and enjoyable for their crews.

  • Encourage crews of visiting ships to take advantage of the facilities available in the town and area to be able to relax and enjoy their vital time ashore.

  • Encourage ship visits and other interactions between visiting ships and the local community.

  • Britannia Royal Naval College: Provide all possible support to the team at Britannia Royal Naval College and their cadets to provide world-class training for new officers on the Dart.

  • Help ensure that all staff and cadets at BRNC have ample opportunity to enjoy their time on the Dart, including the chance to spend leisure time on the river.

  • Build an enduring partnership with the management of BRNC to further their aims.

  • Support to customers from the Armed forces Community: Ensure that members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families are never disadvantaged when using Dart Harbour facilities and services. This includes providing facilities for those with disabilities, berths in quiet spots for those suffering from the after effects of their service, and a friendly face for those in need.

  • Ensure that the needs of the Armed Forces community are taken into account if they wish to live aboard a boat in Dart Harbour.

  • Provide support for events and other groups of Armed Forces.

  • Employment support to those from the Armed forces Community: We will ensure that former members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families are never disadvantaged when applying for or undertaking employment with Dart Harbour.

-We will recognise the pressures on Service families, particularly during deployment cycles, and promote flexible, supportive community practices.

  • Where practical, we will ensure that job applicants from the Armed Forces are at least offered an interview.

  • We will offer work experience to former members of the Armed Forces.

  • Engagement With young people: We will encourage young people in the area to develop a love for the water, with an aim of preparing them to consider a future career in the Armed Forces.

  • This includes providing swimming lessons, swimming areas, sailing lessons, and a wealth of information.

  • We will support cadet organisations in their aims.

  • Advocacy & Awareness: We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting Out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback on how we are doing from both the Armed Forces Community and those who attend and enjoy our event.

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.

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