The Hamble River Select Committee will be holding a series of three public meetings in the run up to Christmas, in Warsash, Locks Heath, to examine issues affecting our waterways.

The main purpose of the meetings will be to investigate objections by Warsash Sailing Club (WSC) to the River Hamble Harbour Authority charging harbour dues for dinghies.

Since January 2006 the Harbour Authority has required that all vessels, including dinghies, pay harbour dues. However WSC argue that dinghies do not need navigation marks, moorings, dredged channels or any of the other facilities provided by the harbour so are not 'users' in that sense and should not be classified as such. The appeal court also agree with WSC that sailing dinghies are not ships - as they do not navigate - and as such should lawfully be exempt from harbour dues.

The  WSC also argue that the charging of dues for dinghies is contrary to the aims of Hampshire County Council to encourage recreation, as dinghies tend to be sailed by younger and less well off people.

The Harbour Authority, which is managed by Culture Community and Rural Affairs Dept of Hampshire County Council, is financed solely from the collection of harbour dues which they collect from all river users including marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs. Its purpose is to manage the River ensuring it is safe, and clean providing a pleasurable leisure facility for local residents and visitors to Hampshire.

The Hamble River Select Committee is a group of nine members including representatives of river users, river businesses and from the Royal Yachting Association. The meetings will be chaired by Hampshire County Councillor Seán Woodward with Michael Sterne of Warsash Sailing Club as the Vice Chairman.

Councillor Woodward says the talks will result in a number of recommendations being passed to the Hamble River Management Committee.

 “I very much hope that the members will be able to reach consensus on a wide range of issues affecting the management of the River Hamble harbour.

“This yachting Mecca is a jewel in Hampshire’s crown and it is important that it is well managed for the benefit of all users.” 

The first meeting will take place today at 3pm, with a second meeting on November 23rd and a third on December 14th. All meetings will take place at Warsash Sailing Club, Shore House, Shore Road, Warsash, Southampton, SO31 9FS.

For more information, contact Cllr Woodward on sean.woodward@hants.gov.uk.

Do you have a dinghy and resent paying the harbour dues? Or do you think all 'users' of the hamble should pay? Let us know your thoughts.