LNTM 25-26 – Dartmouth Royal Regatta – Wednesday 26th August to Saturday 29th August 2026
Effective until Tuesday 1st September 2026 – All mariners are advised:
Overview
The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta will take place from Saturday 22nd August to Sunday 30th August 2026.
During this period river users that are not involved in organised Regatta events are directed to keep clear of the waterborne events listed below and exercise particular caution when underway in the River Dart.
ColRegs & Dart Harbour Byelaws reminder.
All mariners are to be aware that the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea will apply at all times, to all vessels – Particular attention to rules:
- Rule 5 Look out – Every vessel shall maintain a proper lookout at all times. This includes using sight, hearing, and all other available means to assess the situation and the risk of collision.
- Rule 6 Safe Speed – The speed limit within the Harbour limits remains 6 knots and no wash. Vessels involved with the Regatta events (such as rowing craft, Safety boats and Dart Harbour Vessels) are exempt from the speed limit during Regatta events or emergencies.
- Rule 8 Action to avoid collision – The waters of Dart Harbour will be incredibly busy during the regatta, be it rowing events, pleasure vessels as well or large commercial traffic. Ensure that any action taken must be positive, made in ample time, and in accordance with good seamanship. Alterations in course or speed should be substantial and easily noticeable by other vessels, avoiding a series of small changes
- Byelaw 3 – Vessels to Navigate with care. The master of a vessel shall navigate his vessel with such care and caution, and at such speed and in such manner as not to endanger the lives of or cause injury or discomfort to persons or damage any property. This includes ensuring that vessels are not overloaded, particularly smaller tenders.
- Byelaw 17 & 20 – Reminder for all vessels to exhibit the correct lights in periods of darkness, including those at anchor. Masters who have their vessels stopped for this, are likely to have their details taken and a warning issued.
- Byelaw 11 – Navigation under influence of drink or drugs prohibited. Our yacht taxi will be operating throughout the Regatta between the hours of 08:00 – 22:30. Contact can be made via VHF Ch69 “Yacht Taxi” or 07970 346571.
General Advice:
Extreme Heat Advice
Whilst we’ve had some cooler days, if the heat is intense, ensure you follow the below:
- Bring a refillable water bottle – free refill stations are provided by us, these will be available on the quay and in the harbour office during opening hours.
- Wear sun cream, a hat, and take breaks in the shade, especially during the hottest part of the day.
- If you feel dizzy, sick or overheated, move into the shade and seek assistance from the Regatta Medical team.
Guardship – HMS Brocklesby
Dart Harbour are pleased to host HMS Brocklesby on our mainstream moorings as the Regatta Guard Ship.
HMS Brocklesby will be entering the harbour under the expert guidance from our pilot on Tuesday 25th August from 15:30, onwards. Masters of vessels in the area are reminded that Ships under pilotage carry a rolling exclusion zone, which will be enforced by Dart Harbour Patrol Craft.
HMS Brocklesby will be secured onto the Mainstream buoys by our team, and will be berthing with us for the entirety of the Regatta.
Rafting & Berthing
Masters of vessels berthing on Dart Harbour visitor facilities are reminded that rafting is highly likely during the busy week of the Royal Regatta. The Patrol team will ensure that rafting boats rafting are well suited, but this isn’t always perfect match, therefore vessels must be well fendered, and moored sensibly including the use of shorelines where possible.
Reserving a Visitor Berth
Visiting vessels, or local vessels looking to use visitor facilities can now reserve berths online. Currently, there is spaces that are able to be reserved on all of our facilities except the Inside of the Town Jetty. Please note, rafting is still very likely, even with reserved berthing.
These reservations can be made by visiting our website www.dartharbour.org/visitors
All visiting vessels can call “DARTNAV” on VHF Ch11 upon arrival (during working hours) for berthing advice, regardless of booking status.
Safety Boats
Events that require it, will be supported by dedicated Regatta Safety Craft (normally marked with a yellow “Q” flag). Dart Harbour Staff will be afloat in vessels marked ‘Harbour Patrol’ and are available to assist if required on VHF Ch. 11, call sign “DARTNAV”.
Yacht Taxi
The Yacht Taxi can be contacted on VHF Ch69 by calling “Yacht Taxi” or on 📞 07970 346571
We expect the Yacht Taxi to be busy during the Royal Regatta period, therefore we have increased the number of drivers during this time. However, there are still likely to be waits during peak times – this is normally mornings and late afternoons.
Schedule of Maritime Events:
Zones where events take place can be seen on the chartlet, Fig1 below this table.
Exclusion zones are separate and be seen in Fig2
For any additional information on maritime events or exclusion zones please contact the Harbour Office.
| Time | Event | Location |
| Saturday 22nd August HW 13:21 3.6m |
||
| 10:00 – 17:00 | Pilot Gig racing | Zone 1 |
| 10:30 – 17:00 | Dittisham Dinghy Regatta | Dittisham |
| 12:30 – 16:30 | Rockfish Junior Dinghy Regatta | Zone 2 – Bight |
| 14:00 – 16:00 | Dart Harbour Electric Boat Trips (part of environment day) | Zone 1 |
| Sunday 23rd August HW 15:11 3.6m |
||
| 09:00 – 17:00 | Local Rowing Heats | Zone 1 |
| 11:00 – 17:00 | Dittisham Dinghy Regatta | Dittisham |
| 13:30 – 17:00 | Rockfish Junior Dinghy Regatta | Zone 2 – Bight |
| Monday 24th August HW 16:26 3.9m |
||
| 09:00-17:00 | Local Rowing Heats | Zone 1 |
| 11:30 – 17:00 | Dittisham Dinghy Regatta | Dittisham |
| 14:30 – 17:00 | Rockfish Junior Dinghy Regatta | Zone 2 – Bight |
| 17:30 | Junior Dinghy Demo | Zone 3 – S Emb |
| Tuesday 25th August HW 17:18 4.2m |
||
| 15:30 at pilot station | HMS Brocklesby Arrival – Berth MS A – MS 2 | Zone 1 |
| 16:00 – 20:00 | Seine Boat Rowing | Zone 1 |
| 12:00 – 17:00 | Dittisham Dinghy Regatta | Dittisham |
| Wednesday 26th August HW 18:04 4.5m |
||
| 09:00 onwards | Waterborne Treasure Hunt (entries in by 15:30) | Starts From Harbour Office |
| 10:00 – 13:00 | Dragon Boat Racing | Zone 1 |
| 10:30 onwards | Passage race arrival – from Brixham | At Sea |
| Thursday 27th August HW 18:45 4.6m |
||
| 09:00 – 17:00 | WEARA rowing | Zone 1 |
| 10:30 Onwards | Yacht Racing | At Sea |
| 14:00 Onwards | Steam Boats Arrive | Yacht Club Pontoon |
| Friday 28th August HW 07:13 4.5m |
||
| 09:00 – 17:00 | Local Rowing Finals | Zone 1 |
| 09:00 – 11:00 | Junior Crabbing | Zone 3 – S Emb |
| 10:30 onwards | Yacht Racing | At Sea |
| 17:00 – 18:00 | Adult Crabbing | Zone 3 – S Emb |
| 17:30 | Model boat racing | Exclusion Zone in force – Fig2 |
| 17:45 & 20:45 | Flyboarding | Exclusion Zone in force – Fig2 |
| Saturday 29th August HW 07:52 4.6m |
||
| 10:30, 12:30, 15:20, 16:45 | Coastal Rowing | Zone 2 – Bight – Sea |
| 10:00 | Kon Tiki Raft Race | Zone 3 – S Emb |
| 10:30 Onwards | Yacht Racing (Including White Sails & Gaffers) | At Sea |
| 11:00 Onwards | Bungee Rowing | Zone 3 – South Town Jetty |
| 13:30 onwards | Paddleboard Race | Exclusion Zone in force – Fig2 |
| 14:00-16:00 | River Parade | Zone 1 |
| 16:00-16:30 | RNLI Demo | Exclusion Zone in force – Fig2 |
| 21:00 | Fireworks | Exclusion Zone in force – Fig2 |
Zone Map (Fig1)
Exclusion Zones Fig2
For the safety of participants and river users the following events will have an exclusion area around the event, these exclusion zones will be announced on VHF Ch11 and patrolled by Dart Harbour Staff.
The exclusion zones are shown in the chartlet below (fig 2)
Flyboarding & Model Boat Demo.
An area between Yacht Club and Town Jetty Pontoons. Masters of vessels in this area are to obey any directions by harbour staff or other agencies.
Paddleboard Race.
The inaugural Royal Regatta Paddleboard race is being organised by Dart Harbour and supported by Sea Kayak Devon. The exclusion zone will be starting inline with the large ferry overnight moorings and the town fuel barge, running down stream to near the yacht club pontoon.
This paddleboard race will host a series of heats, including expert and complete novices. Children will also be taking part as passengers on some of the craft.
The exclusion zone will be patrolled by the Dart Harbour Team and the Regatta Water Safety team, Masters of vessels in this area are to obey any directions by Dart Harbour Patrol staff.
For more information and how to enter, please visit our website here.
RNLI Display.
There will be an exclusion zone enforced, in an area from upstream of Lower Ferry crossing, and upriver of the Town Jetty Pontoons. However, owing to the nature of the display, the exclusion zone may alter slightly during the day. The town anchorage (east of the mainstream moorings) is not included in this exclusion zone, but vessels navigating through this area must proceed with extreme caution.
The RNLI will be operating multiple vessels at high speed, conducting high energy manoeuvrers and also have people in the water simulating casualties during this demonstration and river users are directed to keep well clear.
Masters of vessels in this area are to obey any directions by Dart Harbour Staff or other agencies.
Fireworks.
During the display, fireworks will be projected from a barge moored on the MS1 Buoy, towards the south. Spent fireworks and embers are likely to fall in the vicinity during the display. To minimise risk to waterborne spectators a 100m exclusion zone is established around this barge. This exclusion zone is patrolled by Harbour Craft.
The Town Jetty and Yacht Club Pontoons will be closed, with no transit access to the public between 20:50 and 21:30 on Saturday 29th August 2026. Masters of vessels on these Pontoons are to remain clear of them and obey any directions by harbour staff or other agencies.
Masters and skippers of craft underway are also reminded to be particularly vigilant during the firework display as there is a high risk of becoming distracted from the demands of navigational safety.
Mariners using Dart Harbour facilities in the vicinity of the Regatta firework display do so at entirely their own risk.
We hope this comprehensive Local Notice to Mariners provides sufficient information, but if you require further info, please reply to this email.
Issued 20th August 2026
J Handley – Assistant Harbour Master – Compliance.
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