Poole Harbour Commissioners

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Europe's Natural Port Poole Harbour is the second-largest natural harbour in the world after Sydney.

We've got 1.25 million tons of cargo, 400,000 passengers and over 5,000 commercial shipping movements within the harbour every year. As well as operating the commercial port of Poole, we provide facilities for different ships in the Harbour from cross channel ferries and oil tankers to fishing and leisure boats.

28/10/2026

We are delighted to have been awarded the Exceptional Contribution Award (Team) at the British Ports Association Conference in Dover last week. The nominations were assessed by an independent panel of industry experts.

We are extremely honoured to receive this recognition for the collaborative response to the oil spill in Poole Harbour in March 2023, for which the regulatory process concluded in December 2025.

We are very proud of the efforts of all the teams and partners who came together to respond to the incident, and very grateful for the recognition of PHC's contribution.

22/10/2026

Great to see Poole Harbour featured in the Old Sea Dogs Magazine!

https://oldseadogs.com/guides/poole-harbour

Old Sea Dogs cruising guide to Poole Harbour, covering the entrance, local navigation, marinas, Brownsea Island, Sandbanks and nearby cruising.

22/10/2026

From us all at Poole Harbour Commissioners, we would like to wish Coastal Cruises Poole a fabulous 2nd birthday🎉🥳!!

Here's to many more successful years ahead!

22/10/2026

🚢 Channel Seaways LTDs’ vessel MV Trinity, operating a twice weekly service all year from the Port of Poole, provides a vital freight link between the South Coast and the Channel Islands.

From essential supplies to commercial goods, the service helps keep businesses and communities connected, supporting trade and the movement of goods across the region.

22/10/2026

Huge congratulations to dfdsukire fo being named Europe's Leading Ferry Operator 2026 at the World Travel Awards!

https://www.worldtravelawards.com

15/10/2026

Local Notices to Mariners issued today:

2026 60 Twin Sails Bridge Maintenance 12-13 November

2026 61 Dredging Operations MDL Cobbs Quay

https://www.phc.co.uk/safety/local-notices-to-mariners/

13/10/2026

We are delighted that the Port of Poole will see an expanded ferry schedule from dfdsukire between Poole and Jersey for 2027, with an earlier start to the season and more opportunities to travel to the Channel Islands.

The new timetable will see 130 return journeys, up from 105 in 2026, with services starting in time for the Easter holidays.

Book your holiday to Jersey for 2027 here: https://www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/ferry-crossings/ferries-to-jersey/poole-jersey

12/10/2026

Today PHC Pilot, Paul Matson, joined the Captain on Barfleur's bridge to es**rt her out of the Harbour Entrance for the final time.

Paul, who has worked for PHC for over 36 years, was relief skipper on board Tug "Wendy Ann" when Barfleur arrived for the first time in 1992.

He recalls:

"I remember the weather was calm and dry, the atmosphere was one of excitement and anticipation amongst the staff as this was a big moment in the history of PHC. Judging by the amount of people who came to watch her arrival along the shore and on the water I think the people of Poole felt the same.

The retired Tug skipper came in so I let him drive which was a turnaround as he'd done most of my training.

One thing sticks in my mind is that a retired Harbour Master came too - and while transiting the Harbour the hydraulic oil from the steering (which someone had overfilled) bubbled out over his shoes and socks, he was not impressed!"

Pictures: Richard Crease

12/10/2026

Brittany Ferries’ Barfleur, the 166-metre RoRo ferry which has served the Poole to Cherbourg route for over a generation, made her final departure from the harbour at 08:30 this morning.

Since her maiden arrival on 4 April 1992, Barfleur has become one of the most recognisable vessels to pass through Poole Harbour.

Over more than three decades, she has carried countless passengers, vehicles and freight across the Channel, playing a crucial role in supporting the local economy, tourism and trade links with France.

The PHC Pilot overseeing Barfleur’s final departure today, Paul Matson, is the very same person who was operating the port tug when she first entered Poole Harbour on 4 April 1992.

Read in full here: https://www.phc.co.uk/barfleur-makes-final-sailing-from-poole/

06/10/2026

In reference to the recent article in the Daily Echo regarding Barfleur’s farewell sailing on Monday 12 October, we would like to clarify that some of the information published in the printed edition does not accurately reflect the full details contained within our Local Notice to Mariners.

The online version of the article has since been updated.

For information regarding the sailing, please only refer to Local Notice to Mariners No. 59/2026 – Traffic Restrictions during Barfleur’s farewell sailing – 12th October:

Address

20 New Quay Road
Poole
BH154AF

Telephone

+441202440200

Website

http://www.phc.co.uk/

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