Sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding enthusiasts along the west Somerset coast can expect to pay more next year as Somerset Council announces a four percent increase in harbour fees. This adjustment will affect Minehead and Watchet harbours, as well as the commercial port of Bridgwater.
The council’s Harbour Management Advisory Committee convened in Taunton on November 3 to review the fees for the upcoming financial year. Taking into account the current inflation rate, they recommended a uniform four percent increase across all charges. The changes are set to take effect from April 2026, pending approval from the council’s executive committee.
For vessel launching at Minehead and Watchet slipways, daily fees will rise from £16.50 to £17.20. Weekly charges will increase from £56 to £58.30, and annual fees from £204 to £212.20.
READ MORE: Yeovil Town’s New Manager Billy Rowley Aims for Football League Return and to Inspire Fans
READ MORE: Bills Now Consume 80% of My Income – I Can’t Afford to Heat My Home, Even in Snow
Kayakers and paddleboarders will see their daily launch fees go up from £10.50 to £11. Weekly costs will increase from £41.50 to £43.20. Annual fees for adults will rise from £124 to £129, while under-16s will pay between £93 and £96.80.
Members of the Minehead Sailing Club face a rise in fees for launching unmotorised vessels from £400 to £416.
Leisure mooring fees will also see a modest hike. Half-day mooring rates will increase from £22 to £22.90, and full-day rates from £14.50 to £15.10. For longer stays, weekly mooring rates will increase from £22 to £22.90 per metre. Permanent mooring will cost £64.50 per metre, or £137.30 per metre if a designated storage area is required.
Dave Coles, head of community regulatory services for Somerset Council, explained in his report that the council has been investing heavily in harbour maintenance at a growing cost to taxpayers. “The goal should be for the harbours to be self-financing; however, the increase in mooring fees required to fully achieve this would be unsustainable,” he said.
The modest four percent increase is designed to keep pace with inflation and support harbour operations without altering the existing fee structure.