The cost of sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding along the west Somerset coast is set to rise by four per cent, affecting all related harbour fees. Somerset Council, which manages the harbours at Minehead, Watchet, and the commercial port of Bridgwater, has proposed these increases to address inflation and support harbour operations.
During a November 3 meeting of the council’s harbour management advisory committee in Taunton, it was recommended that all fees for the forthcoming financial year be increased by four per cent. This adjustment will come into effect in April 2026, pending approval from the council’s executive committee.
For those launching vessels from slipways at Minehead or Watchet, daily fees will increase from £16.50 to £17.20. Weekly rates will rise from £56 to £58.30, and annual fees will go up from £204 to £212.20.
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Kayakers and paddleboarders will see daily launch fees grow from £10.50 to £11, weekly fees from £41.50 to £43.20. The annual charge for adults will move up from £124 to £129, while for under-16s, it will increase from £93 to £96.80.
Members of Minehead Sailing Club will experience an increase in launching fees for unmotorised vehicles from £400 to £416.
For leisure mooring in Minehead or Watchet, half-day fees will rise from £22 to £22.90, and full-day fees from £14.50 to £15.10. Permanent mooring rates will increase from £22 to £22.90 per metre weekly. Those seeking permanent mooring with designated storage will face fees of £64.50 and £137.30 per metre respectively.
Dave Coles, head of community regulatory services at Somerset Council, highlighted the investment in harbour facilities over recent years. He noted that while the aspiration is for the harbours to be self-financing, further increases beyond this four per cent rise would be unsustainable.
Coles affirmed that this increase is a standard inflationary adjustment meant to help cover operating costs, with no structural changes to the fee system.