Extending some 12 km from Botley and Curbridge to Hamble Point, where it joins Southampton Water, the tidal reaches of the River Hamble in Hampshire have an international reputation for marine based recreation within an environment recognised in local, national, and European nature conservation designations. The river is undoubtedly a very special area.
The location and quality of the river not only makes it highly desirable for recreational use, but also of significant nature conservation value. The designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) emphasise its national importance, whilst at European level it is designated a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the Birds Directive, and a candidate Special Area of Conservation under the Habitats Directive. Both directives afford the highest level of conservation protection in Europe. Balancing the demands of economic, recreational and environmental interests requires careful management.
The Crown Estate owns the tidal stretches of the Hamble riverbed and since 2002 has owned and managed the 450 or so piled moorings and mooring areas, together providing around 1,200 competitively priced moorings for the public and local boat clubs and yards. Facilities range from mud berths to mid-stream pontoon moorings.
Hampshire County Council has a 50-year environmental lease of the riverbed and, through the on-site harbour master, manages the public moorings on our behalf. Blocks of moorings held by clubs and commercial concerns are managed by Chesterton Humberts from their Southampton office.
There is an annual programme of maintenance and renewal of the mooring piles and we have completed a number of schemes of pontooning runs of piles in order to extend the range of facilities on the river.
Mooring charges have now been set for 2010 and prices have been frozen from last year. Please click on the following links for the relevant charges, including the separate harbour dues set by and payable to the River Hamble Harbour Authority.
The harbour master manages the waiting list for moorings on our behalf – visit the Hamble website for contact details.
Further Information
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