A Leisurely Day in West Bay

If you want a change from the beaches and coastal walks then make for the harbour where you will also find river boats for hire.  From here you can take a leisurely rowing boat trip on the River Brit through riverside meadows, but don’t forget to take a picnic.  Or take a stroll over to the old station and walk along the disused railway track to Bridport where you can visit the local brewery for a spot of wine tasting!

The Coastal and Harbour Improvements

Over the centuries West Bay has been battered by the elements, baring the scars of numerous storm battles.  A three year scheme to rebuild the coastal defences and harbour piers at a cost of over £17 million was completed in the winter of 2004/2005.  The Duke of York formally opened the completed scheme on Tuesday, 8th March 2005.

The Jurassic Pier

The new West Pier was named 'The Jurassic Pier' and opened to the public at midday on Friday, 17th December 2004.  The old pier was eventually demolished and a new pier constructed following years of sea erosion and storm destruction.  A sea defence project costing £18 million has produced a magnificent new West Pier for West Bay.  There is wheelchair/pushchair access and seating along most of its length.  At 240 metres long, recessed lighting is included for evening and night visitors plus blue uplighting at all of the ladder accesses for boats in the outer harbour / marina.  The Jurassic Pier will be a genuine asset to West Bay for many years (and hopefully centuries) to come.

A late 18th Century ship's cannon now resides on the stub of the old West Pier.  It was discovered approximately one metre beneath the surface of the breakwater and heavily rusted, but has now been fully restored and sits on a custom made gun carriage.

The East Pier

The East Pier was completely refurbished as part of West Bay's sea defence project.  However, most of the original character and heritage has been retained in the construction.  The design of The Jurassic Pier should allow far less of the destructive powers of the sea to reach the East Pier than in the past.  The harbour entrance is now on a new alignment.  Also, extensive rock armouring together with a seaward wedge on the Jurassic Pier now disperse wave energy.

Slipways and Moorings

The small public slipway for boat access at the eastern end of the old harbour is now closed.  A new 10 metre wide slipway has been constructed at the south-western end (The Mound) feeding into the new marina with a trailer park nearby.  Details of access can be obtained from the West Bay Harbour Master’s Office.

Visiting fishing boats and commercial vessels can berth by the East Pier, while leisure craft should berth by the Jurassic Pier or the pontoon jetty.

There is normally a 1.5 metre depth of water in the outer marina at all tide states, though a sand bar can build up across the harbour entrance.  The marina (outer harbour) and harbour entrance are dredged annually (at around the Spring Equinox) to maintain an adequate depth.

West Bay Harbour Master’s Office

The Mound

Telephone no. +44 (0)1308 423222

VHF Marine Channels 16 & 11 (Listen & Work)

Channel 16 (156.800 MHz)
Mode: simplex / Assignment: distress/safety/calling

Channel 11 (156.550 MHz)
Mode: simplex / Assignment: port operations

Speed Limit in harbour and entrance = 8 knots

H.M. Coastguard (West Bay Division)

An H.M. Coastguard rescue team operates from West Bay.

3 George Street.

To summon their help in an emergency distress situation, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard, or use Marine Channel 16.

Portland Coastguard transmits weather reports and general information for the Lyme Bay area on:
Channel 86 (161.925 MHz)

Tides

A free 6-day tidal information service can be obtained from the Admiralty website at: www.easytide.com.  Their site is also available and hyper-linked from our Links page.  Note that West Bay is listed under 'Bridport Harbour'.

Basic Safety

We have a rescue service that is second to none!
H.M. Coastguard, R.N.L.I., etc.  But don’t be complacent and finish up putting them to the test!  When putting to sea carry lifejackets, flares and a two-way V.H.F. marine radio.  A mobile phone is not a reliable form of communication at sea.  Ensure your craft is properly maintained, seaworthy and that you have sufficient fuel on board to complete your journey.  For more information of these rescue services, visit our Links page.