Harbour Byelaws
Angus Council has made the Angus Council Harbour Byelaws 1997 applying to the berthing of vessels at Arbroath Harbour.
Management rules for berthing
The following Management Rules apply to the berthing at Arbroath Harbour. Angus Council reserves the right to amend these rules from time to time or as circumstances require.
1. Berthing of Vessels
1.1 Berthing of all vessels in the harbour is as permitted and directed by the harbourmaster.
1.2 When required, the harbourmaster shall direct vessels on entry into, leaving or lying in the harbour area along with berthing, mooring or unmooring.
1.3 There are no allocated berths at the harbour with the exceptions of the pontoons in the inner harbour, which are subject to separate management rules. The Harbourmaster is responsible for the allocation of berths.
1.4 There is no hierarchy of berthing at the harbour. The harbourmaster shall prioritise berthing arrangements based on the operational requirements of the harbour and the respective needs of the vessels.
1.5 The efficient and effective operation of the harbour relies on all users working together when it comes to the availability of quayside berths as well as when there is a requirement to berth alongside other vessels. As stated above, the harbourmaster can permit and direct berthing arrangements directly but this relies on the cooperation and collaboration of all harbour users, which has always been the accepted practice.
1.6 Vessels shall at all times be properly and effectively moored when berthed at any quay or alongside another vessel.
1.7 Free access and passage for persons and goods shall be maintained across the deck of all vessels which have other vessels berthing alongside.
2. Landing of Fish
2.1 All fish to be landed at the harbour shall be landed at the fish market quay unless otherwise permitted and directed by the harbourmaster.
2.2 Vessels which have unloaded shall, when required by the harbourmaster, remove the vessel from the quay to make room for other vessels to unload.
2.3 Berthing at the fish market quay shall be as permitted and directed by the harbourmaster.
3. Landing of Other Goods and Passengers
3.1 The landing of other goods and passengers at the harbour shall be as permitted and directed by the harbourmaster.
3.2 Vessels which have unloaded shall, when required by the harbourmaster, remove the vessel from the quay to make room for other vessels to unload.
3.3 Berthing for the landing of goods and passengers shall be as permitted and directed by the harbourmaster.
Management Rules for Arbroath Harbour Pontoons
The following Management Rules apply to the pontoons in Arbroath Harbour. Angus Council reserves the right to amend these rules from time to time or as circumstances requires.
Harbour Byelaws
The Angus Council Harbour Byelaws 1997 apply to the pontoons.
1.0 Allocation of Pontoon Berths
1.1 59 pontoons berths (10 for boats up to 8m overall length, 40 for boats up to 10m overall length and 9 for boats up to 12m overall length) are available for annual, seasonal, monthly and weekly rental as well as for use by overnight visitors. Several berths will remain allocated for visiting boats. The availability and charges for berths will be as publicised from time to time and will be available either in the Harbour Master’s office or online.
1.2 Pontoon berths are for use by leisure craft only.
1.3 Vessels must be of suitable type and be kept fully serviceable, seaworthy and maintained to a satisfactory standard of appearance.
1.4 Allocation of annual or seasonal berths will be made to applicants who satisfy Angus Council’s selection criteria and will be subject to annual review. Application forms are available from the harbour office. A waiting list will be maintained from which vacated annual berths will be allocated.
1.5 Unless otherwise agreed with the Harbour Master, the maximum stay for visitors on the pontoon berths is 14 consecutive nights with no return for 14 nights. Other types of berths will be available in the harbour, when the pontoons berths for visitors are fully occupied.
1.6 Fin keel yachts are permitted to use pontoon berths subject to the Harbour Master’s permission regarding their stability against the pontoon. Leisure boats that have been converted from other types of vessels require assessment and written approval prior to occupying a pontoon berth.
1.7 The Harbour Master will be the sole judge of suitability for allocation of berths and their decisions shall be final. Angus Council reserves the right to cancel an allocation of pontoon berths and to remove any boat from a pontoon berth and store or berth it elsewhere.
1.8 A pontoon berth holder cannot sub let the berth or use it for any other vessel. Holders of annual or seasonal berths must notify the Harbour Master if they replace their vessel , and the replacement vessel must comply with the requirements relating to the pontoons.
1.9 A berth holder who has sold their boat and is in the process of replacing it may retain their berth provided they continue paying dues appropriate for the size of boat being replaced. Whilst the berth is not being used the Harbour Master may utilise the berth for a short term let.
1.10 If an owner is selling his/her boat and no longer wishes to keep the pontoon berth, the new owner, if he wishes, may keep the boat on the same pontoon berth with the agreement of the Harbour Master and pay the associated berthing fees.
1.11 Any two owners wishing to swap berths on the pontoons must both agree and sign a form, a copy of which is in the harbour office. If in agreement to the swap, the form will be countersigned by the Harbour Master.
1.12 Any annual or seasonal berth holder wishing to vacate their berth for more than two consecutive nights must inform the Harbour Master. Vacant berths may be let by the Harbour Master to another vessel while the berth is vacant. The Harbour Master will however ensure the berth will be vacant on the return to the harbour of the vessel of the berth holder.
1.13 Holder of annual or seasonal berths are expected to regularly use and attend to their vessels. If any vessel is lying idle for significant periods, without good cause, the holder may have the berth allocation terminated.
1.14 Berth holders who fail to comply with the Harbour Byelaws or the Management Rules for the pontoons may be required to vacate their berths and holders of annual or seasonal berths may have their berth allocations terminated.
1.15 All berth holders must have third party insurance for a minimum sum of £2,000,000. Evidence of this must be submitted with the berth holders’ application form.
1.16 When required by operational needs, vessels may be moved from their berths to other berths in the harbour under the direction of the Harbour Master.
1.17 Fees for berths must be paid in full before an annual berth is offered to the berth holder for the following year.
1.18 Berth holders must ensure that all associated berthing fees are paid up to date before any boat can be removed from the pontoons on a permanent basis. If any berth holder wishes to permanently remove their boat, they must give the Harbour Master at least 48 hrs notice of their intentions to do so.
1.19 The annual or seasonal berthing fee paid is based on the length of the season. The fee is not based on how many days throughout the season that the berth is occupied by the berth holder’s vessel.
2.0 Use of Pontoon Berths
2.1 Vessels berthed at the pontoons must have their name clearly displayed.
2.2 Boat speed within the pontoon area must be kept to an absolute minimum to prevent nuisance to others and damage to the pontoons.
2.3 Launching and retrieval of inflatable boats and dinghies from the pontoons is not allowed.
2.4 Pontoons must not be obstructed at any time by boat gear, dinghies, masts or any other equipment, and rubbish must be removed immediately from the pontoons.
2.5 Pontoons are for use by boat owners and their guests only and are for pedestrian use only.
2.6 Vessels must be moored with suitable mooring ropes to bow and stern and have all necessary fenders to prevent damage to the pontoons.
2.7 The security gate must always be kept closed, users should not leave the gate ajar when entering or leaving the pontoon area.
2.8 If the owner wishes to take electricity from the supply pillar, then a temporary cable of suitable type and rating must be used.
2.9 If the owner wishes to draw water from the supply then a suitable hose and connections must be used.