About the Queen's Harbour Master, Portsmouth

The Queen’s Harbour Master (QHM) Portsmouth is the regulatory authority of the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth, an area of approximately 50 square miles that encompasses Portsmouth Harbour and the Eastern Solent.

QHM’s primary purpose is to protect the Port, the Royal Navy and its vessels and other government assets.

However, with statutory power comes far wider responsibilities, ranging from environmental issues such as Oil Pollution and Conservation to the management of the water space for all users, be they military, commercial or recreational. To help meet these responsibilities QHM chairs the Dockyard Port Forum (DPF), is a members of the Portsmouth Harbour Management Group and Relevant Authority for the Solent European Marine Sites (SEMS) project.

The QHM and his staff of 28 carry out a wide range of duties to ensure that the 117,000 yearly shipping movements under their control are safely carried out and with the minimum impact to the surrounding area.