Harbour users in Lyme Regis, West Bay and Weymouth will work under new rules from 20 February 2026 after the Marine Management Organisation in Newcastle upon Tyne approved Dorset Council’s harbour revision order.

Signed by acting chief executive Michelle Willis on 26 January and laid before Parliament on 30 January, the Lyme Regis, Bridport (West Bay) and Weymouth Harbour Revision Order 2026 updates decades‑old powers and spells out exactly where council jurisdiction begins and ends.

The explanatory note on legislation.gov.uk says the Order “modernises and consolidates the statutory harbour powers” applying to Lyme Regis and West Bay, while also amending Weymouth’s 2021 order. In short, it pulls a tangle of Acts into a clearer rulebook.

It confirms mapped harbour limits and premises, with plans to be kept at each harbour office and online. That clarity matters for everyday questions: who sets speed rules in the inner harbour, who controls slips and pontoons, who pays what and when.

A fresh power of general direction lets the council set navigational and safety rules, backed by special directions from the harbour master when something needs moving now. Proposed directions must be consulted on with the Chamber of Shipping, the Royal Yachting Association and a new Harbours Advisory Group, with an independent adjudicator available if talks stall. Emergency or short‑term operations can still be covered without the full timetable.

Crucially, Dorset Council must establish at least one advisory body and meet it twice a year. That bakes local voices into decisions on maintenance, conservation, operations and safety-an approach many coastal communities have sought for years.

Money is tidied up too. Harbour revenue is ring‑fenced for running costs first, then debt and reserves. A reserve fund is permitted, and the council may borrow against harbour income for major works, renewals and even short‑term interest. One notable clause allows charges to be set with the “overall viability” of the combined harbour undertaking in mind, so long as each harbour covers its costs each year.

Charges are modernised into what the Order itself calls “a modern suite of charging powers”. The council can set reasonable fees for services and for vessels other than “ships” under the 1964 Act-think rigs, floating platforms and pontoons-publish terms, demand deposits, and detain vessels or goods until bills are settled. There are exemptions for lifeboats, the armed forces and emergency services.

Moorings are a big change ashore. The council can lay new moorings and license private ones; owners of existing lawful moorings must obtain a council licence within 12 weeks of 20 February-so by around mid‑May 2026. The council cannot refuse to license an existing mooring in the same spot unless it risks safety or interferes with navigation. Unauthorised moorings and misuse carry fines up to level 4 on the standard scale.

Fuel and power are tidied up for today’s fleet. A one‑year licence will be required for anyone carrying out commercial refuelling activities, which the Order defines to include alternative power and recharging. That gives councils a way to manage safety around petrol, diesel and emerging electric or hydrogen kit on busy quays.

On navigation aids and dredging, Dorset gets powers to place lights and buoys with Trinity House approval, and to dredge and use arisings lawfully. Notably, the section 75 exemption in the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 does not apply at Lyme Regis, so dredging there will still need the usual licences.

Old hulks and obstructions are dealt with head‑on. The council can act on wrecks under Merchant Shipping Act powers, recover costs from owners, and sell or break up unserviceable vessels after notice. For hazards like loose pontoons or debris, it can remove and dispose of items, again with cost recovery.

Weymouth sees a targeted change to the classic “Open Port Duty”. From now on, section 33 of the 1847 Act will apply only to vessels up to 24 metres, and not at all within a defined red‑shaded peninsula area. That gives the harbour flexibility to manage larger craft and high‑pressure waterfront space.

For Northern readers, there’s plenty to note. The regulator driving this-the Marine Management Organisation-operates from Newcastle upon Tyne. The blend of advisory groups, clear mapping, modern charging and a fair‑minded moorings regime will interest council‑run harbours and trust ports along the North East and Cumbrian coasts, as well as Morecambe Bay.

The process for new general directions is also a useful template: consult recognised national bodies and local users, publish a register online and at the harbour office, and refer disputes to an independent adjudicator on a 12‑week timetable. That is pragmatic governance coastal teams can actually run.

Plans and the Harbours Business Plan must be available to view at harbour offices at The Cobb in Lyme Regis and on the Esplanade at West Bay, as well as online. The Order was made on 26 January, laid on 30 January and comes into force on 20 February 2026. No separate impact assessment was prepared, with officials saying no significant cost is expected.