Bye-laws applied to recreational and commercial vessels are specific to activity occurring within our area of jurisdiction and are applicable throughout the waterway. The current bye-laws came into operation in 1984 and 1987. Selected bye-laws with particular relevance to you as a recreational user are included in the Tide Tables.

Our full byelaws can be found here.

General Directions support the bye-laws and are orders made by the Harbourmaster to regulate the movement or navigation of all craft within the area of jurisdiction. The current General Directions came in to operation on 31st March 2016.

In addition to the requirements of MHPA bye-laws and General Directions, we may also issue, amend or revoke Special Directions in relation to the waterway or specific craft within the waterway. Special Directions can require craft to act in a particular manner or require certain actions to be carried out in relation to a craft.

We use Notices to Mariners (NTMs) to disseminate information to users. They are issued to advise of particular activities or situation which may impact on the safety of users or those carrying out activities. If appropriate a NTM may also contain requests for users to act in a particular manner in specified areas or at specified times.

The Water Ranger is primarily responsible for policing recreational craft on the waterway. Policing is conducted through waterway patrols, which are carried out on a regular basis throughout the season. The Water Ranger regularly patrols areas which are perceived as ‘hot spots’ for bye-law infringements, especially the Dead Slow Minimum Wake area upstream of the main water-ski area. Assistance with patrols is provided by other Port Authority vessels and the Dyfed-Powys Police Marine Unit if required. In addition to policing, the patrols provide water users with assistance and advice.

Infringements may be observed by our patrols or reported to us by members of the public and other users of the waterway. If you are involved in a minor infringement whilst in the waterway it is likely that you will be approached or contacted by one of our patrols. All reported infringements are logged and the patrol team will record details (which may include video or photographic evidence) of the infringement, craft and people involved. They will also explain the infringement to you and issue you with a Leisure User Guide if appropriate. In many cases this is sufficient action.

For more serious infringements or in cases of repeat offences you may be asked to provide a written statement. Statements may also be taken from those involved and witnesses. It is usual that following such offences details recorded (which may include photographic and video evidence) of the infringement and any other infringement you or your vessel have been involved in will be collated and reviewed and a more formal written approach adopted in dealing with the matter.

The marinas, boatyards and training providers on the waterway readily assist in supplying further information when required, which is then held on file. You should also be aware that Bye-laws and Directions are legally enforceable and the ultimate sanction is prosecution through the courts where fines not exceeding level 4 on the Standard Scale may be placed on offenders. (The current maximum fine under level 4 is = £2,500.)

Our ethos is that compliance will be achieved through education and persuasion. However, for those few persistent offenders recourse to the courts may be the only option.

Drive slowly in rain, fog, mist, smoke or glare. Special caution is required at night because many potential hazards may not be lit or may not be easily seen. Background shore lighting may confuse you.

Slow down on busy waterways and when near moored or anchored vessels, working vessels showing special signals and large vessels which have difficulties in manoeuvring. In the Waterway vessels secured to their moorings are not required to be lit at night and you should be aware of the location of such moorings. If you can avoid passing through or very close to moorings and moored vessels you should. However, if you have to you should pass slowly keeping your wash to a minimum and also keep a good look out.

Slow down in shallow areas or in unfamiliar waterways. In the Waterway, water depth can vary and change frequently. Not all hazards may be marked or lit and signs, buoys, marks or lights may have shifted.

May adversely affect the manoeuvrability of your vessel.

Stopping and turning ability depends on the speed travelled, wind and current and the boat’s design (such as hull shape, engine and propeller type and number).

You must be able to determine if you are exceeding a local speed limit. For example, if your boat is planing in a Dead Slow Minimum Wake area you will be exceeding the speed limit, so slow down.

A power driven vessel must give way to a sailing vessel unless the sailing vessel is in the process of overtaking it.

When two power driven vessels meet head on, each must alter course to starboard (to the right) and pass at a safe distance.

In crossing situations, give way to the right.

The give-way vessel must avoid a collision by changing course substantially, by slowing down, or stopping and allowing the vessel which has right of way to pass clear ahead. This must be done as early as possible.

NOTE: The master of the vessel which has right of way must maintain a lookout, maintain course and speed and be prepared to take action to avoid a collision if necessary.

Any vessel (including a sailing boat) which is overtaking another vessel must keep well clear of the vessel being overtaken.

You can overtake another vessel on either side but only when it is safe and you must stay well clear.

In narrow channels you must be particularly careful when overtaking.

In all instances, make sure you do not cut in front of the vessel you have overtaken.

When two sailing vessels have wind on different sides, the vessel with wind on the port side gives way.

When both craft have wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward.

NOTE: If a collision appears inevitable, the skipper of each vessel must take proper action to avert the collision.

A safe distance between a vessel and a person or thing (including another vessel) is a distance that will ensure that the vessel will not cause danger or injury to the person or damage to the thing, having regard to all relevant safety factors including weather conditions at the time, visibility, speed of the vessel and obstructions to navigation that are present.

It should be noted that where a skipper is issued a penalty for breaching the distance off requirements referred to above and claims that even though this distance off was breached, the distance off was a ‘safe distance’, the onus is on the skipper to prove this in court.