Long-term moorings in Ramsgate

Ramsgate is on the south-east tip of Kent, about 35 miles from the French coast. Moorings in Ramsgate are all inside the Royal Harbour, where Thanet District Council runs the Royal Harbour Marina in three parts: two outer marinas open at any state of tide, and an inner marina held behind a gate.

Moorings in Ramsgate

• Inner Marina (Thanet District Council): used by permanent berth holders. The gate gives access for about two hours each side of high water.
• Western Marina (Thanet District Council): on the left as you enter the Royal Harbour, shared by permanent berth holders and visitors, with 24 hour access.
• Eastern Marina (Thanet District Council): straight ahead as you enter, used by fishing, angling and visiting boats.

Permanent berths are arranged through the council's Harbour Office on Military Road. The council states that Ramsgate is not a residential marina. The harbour has a 40 tonne boat hoist, slipways, a boat park, a chandlery and a fuel barge selling petrol and diesel all year.

On the water

• Authority: Thanet District Council is the harbour authority. Port Control is staffed 24 hours a day on VHF channel 14, and every vessel inside the harbour limits must keep a listening watch on it.
• Signals: three vertical lights above Port Control on the East Pier. On red, a boat may not enter from seaward or leave the Royal Harbour without Port Control's permission by VHF. Green means proceed.
• Commercial traffic: a flashing orange light means a commercial vessel is moving, and no other boat may enter or leave without permission.
• Speed: the harbour byelaws set a limit of 5 knots through the water.
• Turning circle: pleasure craft must cross the ferry terminal turning circle as quickly as possible and may not hoist or lower sails there without permission.
• Berthing: call the marina staff on VHF channel 80 when entering the Royal Harbour.
• Trades: anyone working for hire on boats in the marina needs insurance and a licence from the harbour office.