Harbour
Braye Harbour and the waters which surround it are managed by the States of Alderney Harbour Authority, which is managed by the States of Alderney Harbour Master and his team.
The Harbour Authority is Alderney's operational and administrative body for all matters of a maritime nature. They are responsible for the provision of specialist guidance and expertise to States Committees on matters including but not exclusive to; Maritime Legislation, Territorial Seas, Sea Fisheries and Port Operations.
They are charged with ensuring compliance with relevant regulations associated with both Health and Safety and Maritime legislation.
They are also responsible for the supply and maintenance of the harbour facilities available to all Harbour users and visitors.
In addition, our Harbour Officers provide a year round 24 hour Search and Rescue response service in order to provide a Maritime Rescue Sub Centre for both Channel Island Coastguard and on island emergency operations.
Customs/Immigration
Vessels arriving from outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey are required to fill out the GC27 form and place it in the yellow drop box at the upper end of the dinghy pontoon walkway. You can obtain the form:
- By clicking the following link. Declaring passengers and goods - private vessels * or
- By collecting it from the transparent box which is also located at the upper end of the dinghy pontoon walkway **
* This form cannot yet be submitted to Guernsey Border Agency on line so must be printed off manually.
** The Harbour Authority is not responsible for the distribution or collection of this information, please do not attempt to either hand it in or email it to the Harbour Office.
For further guidance also see Visit Alderney.com
Harbour Moorings
There are 70 yellow mooring buoys available to visiting yachtsmen.
Mooring fees:
£25.00 per day
£10.00 per day for anchorageAll other mooring buoys are private and should not be used without the permission from the Harbour Master.
The anchorage in the middle of the bay has good holding ground in sand, but there are areas of rock and weed. Towards the entrance of the Harbour, the bottom is generally rockier.
Because of the tidal range at Springs (up to 6.9m), a good scope of anchor line should be used, especially if anchoring in shoal areas. It is not permitted to anchor in the Fairway or close to Braye Jetty, or to tie up to Braye Jetty.
Harbour Facilities
The Harbour Office is at the south west end of the harbour, near the entrance to Little Crabby Harbour. The Dinghy pontoon, dinghy slipway, showers, laundrette, telephones, chandlers and a skip for rubbish are all nearby. The laundrette is in the same building as the showers and uses £1 coins - both are open 24 hours a day in the summer months but the showers are closed in the winter.
A water taxi service is run by the Harbour Office. Please call ahead for details.
Fresh water is available from alongside Mainbrayce Chandlers and also from a tap at the top of the dinghy slipway and at Braye Jetty by arrangement with the Harbour Office.
Mainbrayce Chandlers is accessible to yachts approximately +/-2 hours high water. A tide gauge at the entrance indicates depth of water alongside. Mainbrayce is open 0800-1800 seven days a week in the summer and provides fresh water, diesel, bottled gas, spares and mechanical assistance.
Regulations
The harbour speed limit is 4 knots, which also applies in Saye, Corblets and Longis bays.
It is not permitted to tie up to the commercial quay or the breakwater, nor beach on Braye or Saye bays.
For Customs clearance, Braye is the only port of entry and all vessels entering from outside the Bailiwick of Guernsey must complete a customs form - UK forms are not valid.
Border Agency must be notified of any animals aboard - UK rules apply.
Tide Tables
Tide times for 2023 can be downloaded here:
Tide times are provided in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). So, they can be used as read until Sunday 26 March 2023 and from Sunday 29 October 2023 onwards. However, between those dates you will need to add an hour to the high/low tide times to take into account British Summer Time (BST).
Visiting Charter Angling & Diving Vessels Notice
All Charter angling and diving vessels that intend to visit Braye Harbour should be aware that the jurisdiction of the MCA does not extend to the Channel Islands and that each of the main Channel Islands has its own Merchant Shipping legislation.
The Harbour Authority, who act as the Maritime Authority, will accept your MCA certification and the Alderney Passenger Vessel Licencing Ordinance exempts you from the provisions of local legislation provided that the visit to the Island is in the course of a trip pre-arranged to begin and end at a place outside the Island and that persons join the pre-arranged trip and leave it at a place outside the Island.
In plainer English: you must bring your passengers with you and take them away with you. You may not fly your passengers in, ply for hire or take any person that is not part of the compliment bought to the Island by sea on board your vessel. Failure to comply with this Ordinance is a breach of the Merchant Shipping Act and will be dealt with firmly.
Water Taxi Information
Operating Hours (Times in BST)
The Water Taxi will commence operations on the morning of Good Friday (7th April) at 0800.
Weekdays (April, May & September) 0800 - 2200 Weekdays (June, July & August) 0800 - 0000 Weekends (All season) 0800 - 0000 Bank Holidays 0800 - 0000 Tariffs
Adults £3.00 Under 16's £1.00 Resident £2.00 Charter skippers Free Ferry passengers Free Contacts
Mobile: 07781 121 046
VHF radio channel 73Note: The pontoon will not be present during the month of April, until the facility is introduced the water taxi driver will advise on the best location for pick up and drop off.
Pontoon Regulations
The pontoon is to be used for the purpose of immediate pick up and landing of foot passengers by:
· Small commercial vessels
· Private leisure vessels
· RIBs
· Cruise ship tenders
· Emergency services and Medevac vessels
· Other suitable vessels at the discretion of the Duty Harbour Officer
Access to the pontoon may be denied due to factors including but not exclusive to the length, gross tonnage or maximum draft of a vessel.
During Harbour Office Hours permission for use of the pontoon must be requested on VHF channel 74
Longer term stays must be authorised by the Harbour Authority.
No permanent mooring will be permitted.
Vessels left unattended without permission may be moved, costs will be recovered by the Harbour Authority.
The pontoon may be removed from service in advance of any unfavourable or severe weather which has been clearly forecasted.
The pontoon will be removed from service at the end of the season - dates to be confirmed in September.
