In a move to elevate safety and community engagement on the Milford Haven Waterway, the Port of Milford Haven is expanding its Harbour Patrol service.

In season, the Harbour Patrol team regularly patrols the entire Waterway from St Ann’s Head at the entrance to the Milford Haven Waterway to Blackpool Mill on the Eastern Cleddau and Haverfordwest on the Western Cleddau. The expansion of the team means team members can be on the water more frequently, and be on hand to offer advice and guidance, as well as overseeing enforcement of safety zoning and byelaw use.

Harbourmaster Mike Ryan said: “It is our duty as a Trust Port to ensure the safe use of the Milford Haven Waterway,” adding that the Harbour Patrol team plays a “critical role” in sharing this message with everyone on the water.”

The Milford Haven Conservancy Act 1983, Milford Haven Harbour Byelaws (1984) and associated legislation, where necessary and appropriate, give the Port the authority to prosecute those who endanger safe use of the Waterway. Within the last 12 months, a jet ski owner was successfully prosecuted by the Harbour Patrol team for failing to comply with direction lawfully given by the Harbourmaster.

All waterway users have a duty to behave safely while afloat – to protect themselves and others. To support leisure users to do this, the Harbour Patrol team has produced a series of helpful guides in support of the byelaws, all of which can be found on the Port’s website at www.mhpa.co.uk/enjoy-the-milford-haven-waterway. The Harbour Patrol team is also available for advice on the water by radioing Channel 12.

The Vessel traffic Service (VTS) knows all the shipping movements going on in the haven and can give advice to leisure boaters on what’s coming in and out, etc, as it is an extremely busy shipping area.

Anyone observing dangerous behaviour on the Waterway is asked to contact VTS on 01646 696137 or email [email protected].