What licence you'll need, how to apply and what it'll cost
You'll need a manually propelled vessels licence to use your stand up paddleboard (SUP), kayak, canoe, rowing boat or sailing dinghy in Bristol Harbour.
What a licence covers
A manually propelled vessels licence is only for vessels that are less than 4 metres long and dont have engines.
You can apply for either:
- a day licence for just 1 day of use
- an annual licence that runs from 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2025
Cost of licence
- day licence: £10.95
- annual licence: £54.75 (£56.25 plus £1.50 postage and handling charge)
Annual licences are a fixed rate and there is no pro-rata for the licence.
Insurance
You must have third party public liability insurance for a minimum of £3,000,000, for the vessel that you want to use.
If you buy a day licence, and do not have insurance, we'll charge you 85p to cover the compulsory third party insurance.
If your insurance runs out during the duration of your licence, you must send a copy of your renewed insurance document to harbour.office@bristol.gov.uk
Apply for a manually propelled vessels licence
Day licence
A day licence costs £10.95, including insurance.
To get a day licence:
- book using the ‘Sail Bristol' App
- visit the Harbour Office: we only accept card payments
You can only use the day licence on the day you buy it.
Annual licence
When you apply for an annual licence:
- You'll need to upload a copy of your valid insurance policy or the organisation's membership details, including your insurance, such as British Canoeing. This must include your name, membership number, and expiry date.
- There will be a postage charge of £1.50 for it to be sent to you.
After you've applied, we'll call you within 10 working days to take your payment over the phone.
We'll use the phone number you gave us on the application form.
If we have not called you within 10 working days, call 0117 903 1484.
Using your licence
You cannot use your vessel in the harbour unless you've paid and received your licence.
You must:
- have your licence available when using Bristol Harbour, as checks are made by Marine Officers
- only launch from the slipway at Baltic Wharf
- wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid
- wear an ankle strap or leash on stand up paddleboards
- take note of the Underfall Yard Area exclusion zone