Jet-skiing

The Queens Harbour Master encourages the safe use of Personal Watercraft (more commonly known as Jet Skis) within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth.

Designated PWC Area - Lee on the Solent

An area bounded by the following positions:

50° 47’ .94 N 001° 12’ .43 W
50° 48’ .24 N 001° 12’ .84 W
50° 48’ .01 N 001° 13’ .20 W
50° 47’ .71 N 001° 12’ .79 W

This area is marked by yellow buoys along the inshore side and by yellow buoys at the corners of the outer limits.
PWCs, commonly known as jet skis, are subject to the same speed limit as all other craft within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth. Within the transit lane (see below) however they are to proceed at or below 10 knots or at the slowest speed at which they can be safely operated. Whilst exceeding 10 knots they are only to make direct passage to and from the PWC area.

Designated PWC Area - Eastney

A Jet Ski area is established 600m south of the beach at Eastney and 400m west of the approaches to the entrance to Langstone Harbour. The area is bounded by the following positions:

50° 46’ .78 N 001° 02’ .73 W
50° 46’ .88 N 001° 02’ .09 W
50° 46’ .69 N 001° 01’ .96 W
50° 46’ .58 N 001° 02’ .58 W

Six buoys have been laid to mark the perimeter of the new Jet Ski area. The buoys are yellow spherical floats with no lights fitted.

Within this Jet Ski area, Personal Watercraft will operate at high speed. Other water uses should take care when entering this area.

Insurance

Operators of PWC's are strongly advised to obtain third party insurance cover for their vessels and to have them data tagged. Both these measures may become compulsory in the near future.

Licensing of Personal Watercraft

In accordance with The Dockyard Port of Portsmouth Order 2005 no jet-skiing is permitted within the harbour or within 0.5 of a nautical mile from shore outside the harbour without a licence from QHM. The licences are freeand can be downloaded from this website.

Transit Lane

The area between the PWC and Water ski areas is denoted as a transit lane. The transit lane may only be used to proceed between the slipway and either the Water ski or PWC areas.

Other Vessels

The PWC and Water ski areas are designed to allow only these craft to operate safely at speed, other vessels are therefore advised to remain clear.

Swimming

The areas inshore of the PWC and Water Ski Areas are designated as swimming areas. All power driven vessels are to stay clear of these areas with the exception of life saving craft on duty.