Welcome...
Welcome to the 2024 Swansea Marina handbook which aims to provide you with all the information you need for a relaxing and pleasurable stay.
In this booklet you will find information relating to the marina and the local area. It also includes vital details of locking procedures and important safety information which will be of interest to the first time visitor.
Our teams are on hand daily to provide you with excellent service whilst mooring your boat with us. If you find that anything needs clarifying or you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact us where we will be only too pleased to help.
Swansea Marina
Lockside, Maritime Quarter, Swansea, SA1 1WG
Tel: 01792 470310
Email: swanmar@swansea.gov.uk
www.swanseamarina.org.uk
VHF: Channel 80
Waypoint position: (PIERHEADS)
51° 36’.43N, 003°
55’.67W
(WGS 84 Datum)
Routes from Swansea Marina
Dundee
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Newcastle
Carlisle
Dublin Bay 150m
South West Ireland
Crosshaven
Holyhead 150m
Pwllheli 120m
Hull
Blackpool
Liverpool
Norwich
Birmingham
Coventry
SWANSEA MARINA
Cardiff
Lundy Island 40m
London
Bristol
Portishead
Southampton
Watchet
Plymouth
Marina operating times
Reception
Apr-Sept 0700 - 2100
Oct-Mar 0700 - 1800
Locks
Every day BST 0700 - 2200
Weekends GMT 0700 - 2200
Week days GMT 0700 - 1900
Dover
Scilly Isles 130m Milford Haven 50m Dingle Marina 270m 170mAt Swansea Marina we offer:
• 550 fully serviced pontoon berths
• Shower Blocks
• Boatyard
• 16 weeks free winter storage to annual bertholders
• Car Parking
• Free Wifi
• 28 day visitor berthing discounts
• Contract extension when away (1-3 months)
• New Boat Sales & Brokerage
• Marine Engineer
• Sail Maker
• Electric car charging point
• Café’s / Restaurants
• Beach
• City Centre
Marine Forecasts
www.metoffice.gov.uk
Daily weather forecasts are available from reception.
Marina Call Sign
“Swansea Marina”
VHF Ch. 80
Barrage Call Sign
“Tawe Lock”
VHF Ch. 18
Marina guide to facilities
Boatyard
We have a 20 tonne Marine Travel Hoist available. A crane facility is also available for masts etc. The yard has various businesses that undertake hull, GRP, wood, engineering and electrical repairs. Free storage ashore is offered to annual berthholders for a limited period (space permitting).
Water
Stand pipes are available on most pontoons, push fittings are connected to taps to allow you to quickly connect your hose pipe. Please run the water for 30 seconds before filling tanks.
Laundry
The laundry is located on the ground floor at reception. The machines are coin operated (change available from reception).
Living Aboard
You cannot live aboard as vessels may not be used for permanent habitation.
Electricity Supplies
Most of our berths have 240 volt / 16amp supplies. In addition many of our hammerheads also have 32amp supplies. Electricity is charged via a pre-paid card system.
To use electricity for the first time, simply purchase a £5 electricty card from reception. This card can also be used for future Top Ups.
Future top-ups can be made at reception using this card.
Diesel, Petrol & Gas
A diesel pump is located on the outside of the Marina Lock; diesel and gas bottle refills are available from 7.00am until half an hour before the office is closed.
Please ensure refuelling only takes place only at the fuel berth. Containers of fuel brought on site must still be poured at the refuelling berth away from other moored vessels
Free WIFI
Free WIFI is available to all berth holders.
WIFI is available on pontoons A – S and at Marina Reception.
Out of hours Security
01792 646440
Security
Each bridgehead has a self locking gate, access is via a pontoon security card. Visitors will be issued with a 4 digit pin code. Please do not leave or prop the gates open; site security is in everyone’s interest.
A security officer patrols the Marina at night and CCTV is in operation throughout the Marina.
Car Parking
All annual berth holders are entitled to two car park permits. Permit holders may park their vehicle for free at any of our three car parks providing they display their valid permit, subject to terms, conditions and availability. Permits do not guarantee a parking space.
Toilets and Showers
There is 24 hour access to these facilities by use of a Marina pontoon security fob. They are located at three locations:
• Reception building. A toilet for the disabled is also located here.
• Adjacent to the bridgehead on the North side of Phase I.
• Adjacent to the bridgehead on the South side of Phase II.
• A chemical toilet waste point is available at reception building. A ship’s toilet may not be used whilst in the Marina.
Refuse / Recycling
In order to keep waste costs to a minimum we encourage all berth holders to recycle. We provide the following disposal points around the Marina:
Pontoon Bridgeheads
• Glass
• Cans
• Plastic (Pontoons A – J located at bridgeheads, Pontoons K – U located at pontoons)
• Small bins for non recyclable waste
Boatyard / Hazardous Waste Point
• Cardboard
• Oil
• Oil Filters / Rags
• Antifoul Tins
• Gas bottles
• Batteries
Berth holders are expected to dispose electrical equipment, large packaging and rubbish that we currently do not recycle at their local amenity site.
Telephones
A public payphone is situated close to the North side bridgehead gate in phase 1.
Safety and Security
General Safety
Safety equipment is installed on the pontoons at regular intervals. Each bridgehead has a safety map outlining these locations. Please familiarise yourself with this map.
Pontoon Safety / Adverse Weather
The pontoons can become very slippery when they are wet or icy. Grit bins are situated close to each bridgehead.
High winds can cause mobility problems and strong gusts can catch you off guard. Customers are advised not to go out onto the pontoons in adverse weather conditions unless absolutely necessary. Particular care should be taken when negotiating the bridgehead ramps and getting on or off boats.
Always wear a Life Jacket
In recent years three people fell off boats into the water at the Marina & locks. Two were not wearing lifejackets and struggled to keep afloat in the water until help arrived. Please ensure life jackets are used.
Insurance
You must have valid marine insurance prior to entering our Marina. Fully comprehensive insurance is preferable and it must include salvage i.e. removal of wreck. Cover should have a 5 million pounds Third Party Liability.
Speed Limits
There is a 4 knot speed limit in the Marina Impounded water and river. Please control your wash.
Fire action
Shower blocks
on hearing the alarm:
Leave the building immediately.
Contact Emergency Services 999.
Contact Reception on 01792 470310 or 01792 646440 (out of hours).
Pontoons / Boatyard on discovering a fire:
Raise the alarm (shout “FIRE” and alert boat owners).
Contact Emergency Services 999.
Contact Reception on 01792 470310 or 01792 646440 (out of hours).
Clear the area of people.
Only tackle the fire if it is safe to do so, with the extinguishers provided in the emergency cabinets.
Retreat to a safe distance upwind
Do not run!
Do not stop to collect personal belongings.
Pilotage notes
Not to be used for Navigation
In Swansea Bay tidal streams flow anti-clockwise for 9.5 hrs (Swansea HW - 3.5 to +6), with at times a race off Mumbles Hd. From HW - 6 to - 3 the stream reverses, setting N past Mumbles Hd towards Swansea. Keep seaward of Mixon Shoal. When N of SW Inner Green Grounds (SWIGG) SCM It buoy, Q (6) + LFI 15s keep to W of dredged channel and clear of commercial ships. Yachts must motor in harbour and approach, maximum speed 4kn.
Swansea Docks
All Marina users are reminded that we share the entrance to the river with the fairway for commercial shipping entering and leaving the port of Swansea.
It is very important that all boat owners obey the rules laid down by the authorities and give way to commercial shipping at all times.
Port Regulations
When entering the river all craft should maintain a listening watch on Swansea Dock’s VHF channel 14 (Any instruction issued by the Harbour Master on this frequency must be followed).
If in doubt call “Swansea Docks” on VHF14 or “Tawe Lock” on VHF 18
ABP docks can also be contacted on 0870 6096699.
Entering and Leaving the Port
All pleasure craft using the port must observe the rules governing the “Prevention of Collisions at Sea”, particularly when navigating within the dredged channel North of the S.W.I.G.G. buoy (South West Inner Green Grounds) to the harbour entrance. You are advised to approach the harbour entrance in the waters to the west of the dredged channel (where practicable).
Large vessels entering or leaving the harbour must be given a wide berth at all times.
All pleasure craft must be under power when in the vicinity of the harbour and should clear waters used by commercial shipping as soon as possible.
Access to Tidal Locks
All access from the sea to the Marina is through the Tawe Barrage Lock during the published hours. During busy locking periods a queuing system will be in operation. Vessels that do not make contact with the Lockmaster or disobey his/her instruction will not be given priority over other traffic. In the interest of every boat owner’s safety, it is of the utmost importance that the Lockmaster’s instructions are obeyed at all times.
Vessels leaving either lock must then transfer to the next lock’s VHF channel on approach and use the appropriate procedure above.
Lock Operating Hours
Weekdays 0700 – 1900 GMT
Weekdays 0700 – 2200 BST
Sat/Sun 0700 – 2200 BST & GMT
Tawe Barrage Lock –call sign:
‘Tawe Lock’ CH. 18
Marina & Swingbridge –call sign:
‘Swansea Marina’ CH. 80
Lock Availability
It is essential that all boat owners wishing to proceed through the locks or swingbridge operate a VHF radio.
Vessels must call “Swansea Marina” on channel 80 before leaving their berth to request lock information and must remain listening on CH. 80 until passage through the bridge or lock is completed.
When you require use of the Tawe Barrage lock you must call ‘Tawe Lock’ to request information and remain listening on CH. 18 until passage through the lock is completed.
Important Notes
Lock
Procedure and Tidal Curves, Datum, Time & Height Differences at Swansea Marina
Normal procedure for locking out through the Tawe Barrage lock is for the lock to be taken down on the hour and return to the river on the half hour.
The first lock out of the day at the Tawe lock will be taken down at approximately 0710.
The last Tawe lock in is half an hour before the close of business each day. Boat owners should be ready to leave their berth at approximately quarter to the hour to allow vessels sufficient time to enter the Tawe lock.
Any deviation from the above will be at the discretion of the duty Tawe Lockmaster who will pay due regard to the volume of traffic and any other prevailing conditions.
Any vessels not returning on the same day are required to inform the Lockmaster and Coastguard. A holding buoy is situated downstream from the lock and may be used outside of locking hours. Great care is necessary at low water spring tides as there is a danger of drying out.
DO NOT PROCEED
LOCK CLOSED OR FREE FLOW IN OPERATION
DO NOT PROCEED LOCKING IN PROGRESS
FREE FLOW IN OPERATION
proceed with caution allowing sufficient room for the preceeding vessel to manoeuvre to its berth
LOCK LOADING IN PROGRESS
Proceed into lock as directed
Blue Flag
Swansea Marina is proud to have held the coveted international Blue Flag award since 2012. The Blue Flag Award criteria demonstrates that the marina is managed with high standards of environmentally sustainability, cleanliness and safety. The award is managed in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy.
Recent Improvements
• Over 20 shopping trolleys removed from the Marina & River Tawe waters
• Up to 4,000 litres of waste oil and bilge water collected and is safely recycled
• Empty Antifoul tins collected around the boatyard are crushed, placed in 205Ltr drums. During 2019 three drums were sent off site for recycling avoiding landfill.
• Hard Plastic is collected and Recycled
• A New interceptor has recently been installed at the boat wash area.
Individual Blue Flag
You can also make a difference, simply join us and sign up to the Code of Conduct. You will receive a Blue Flag for your boat, to show that you respect those rules, and that you are a proud lover of our Coastline.
Call at reception for more information.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Marina services
Ben Sutcliffe Surveyor 07796 457307
Travel information
Bus Enquiries 0800 464 00000
Health and Emergency
Coastguard 01646 690909
Morriston Hospital 01792 702222
NHS Wales 111
Taxis 01792 474747
Local attractions
Grand Theatre 01792 475715
Central Library 01792 636464
Swansea Museum 01792 653763
Glynn Vivian Art Gallery 01792 516900
Plantasia 01792 474555
National Waterfront Museum 02920 573600
Other services
Glenally Marina Café 07943494339
Swansea Marina, where the city
meets
the sea...
The Marina’s unique location guarantees something to please every member of the family...
Swansea Marina’s central location in the Bristol Channel makes it an unsurpassed cruising centre with marinas to the east including Cardiff, Watchet and Portishead, with Neyland and Milford Haven to the West. The spectacular, rugged coastline of Devon is a mere twenty or so miles away.
The vibrant city centre of Swansea lies right on our doorstep. With a huge range of shops and a worldfamous covered market this is just the place to indulge in a little retail therapy! There are a large number of bars and cafes and an increasingly cosmopolitan range of restaurants.
If the sun is shining why not enjoy your coffee al fresco at one of the many establishments offering tables with a view over the water.
When the weather is less kind you can enjoy one of our museums or art galleries, or take the children to the fabulous water park at the LC2.
If you should decide to moor with us permanently you will find that there is something happening throughout the year. Annual events include the Waterfront Wonderland with its winter fair and ice skating; the annual Air Show, in the spring the annual Clyne in Bloom event and, of course, the Swansea Bay Summer Festival with events too numerous to mention.
Closer to home lie the charming villages and breathtaking coastline of the Gower Peninsula. Whether you are looking for secluded rocky coves
or sweeping sandy bays you will not be disappointed. Gower beaches frequently feature in lists of top twenty British beaches, why not visit and find out why.
Sports fans will not be disappointed; we are not far from top flight rugby and championship football at the city’s Liberty Stadium. All watersports are well catered for and numerous gyms offer the opportunity to work off last night’s dinner!
Swansea’s new 3,500 capacity Arena is now open, checkout who is performing and purchase tickets at www.atgtickets.com/venues/ swansea-arena.
So, whatever the weather and whatever the time of year, the city of Swansea and its acclaimed marina will always have something to offer.
High & Low Waters to Datum for Swansea 2024
Times adjusted for BST, heights in metres
January February March
03:34
04:12
23:06 7.39
05:00
03:26 7.64
04:23 8.15
10:23 2.30
05:12
09:05
06:05
High & Low Waters to Datum for Swansea 2024 Times adjusted for BST, heights in metres
April May June
m
04:33 2.38
05:36 2.97
12:15 7.07
18:09 3.38
01:00 6.94
07:32 3.27
13:57 6.84
20:28 3.39
02:49 7.10
09:13 2.87
15:34 7.30
21:55 2.74
04:12 7.84
10:27 2.10
03:03
06:03 9.43 12:14 0.70 18:26 9.49
00:36 0.65
06:50 9.94
13:00 0.31
19:11 9.89
01:21 0.33
07:35 10.23
13:44 0.14
19:54 10.07
02:03 0.24
08:18 10.27
14:25 0.21
02:43 0.36
03:20 0.70
03:54
04:30 1.89
10:55 8.21
16:45
05:13
00:01
01:45
•
High & Low Waters to Datum for Swansea 2024
Times adjusted for BST, heights in metres
July August September
02:57
Swansea Marina
Boatyard Services
• 20 tonne marine travel hoist
• 1 tonne crane for masts/engines
• Large boatyard
• 24hr access to yard
• Electricity supplies
• Water points
• Friendly, experienced staff on hand
• Established companies onsite including mechanical engineers, electrical services, riggers, valeting, antifouling and boat repair services
Not an annual berth holder at Swansea Marina? Not a problem...
We offer boatyard facilities to all local marinas and yacht clubs between May and September. Booking a space couldn’t be easier - simply call us on 01792
470310 one week in advance, and if the weather is against you when you are due to sail to us, we will re-arrange the booking at no cost. Boatyard space is subject to availability.
High & Low Waters to Datum for Swansea 2024
Times adjusted for BST, heights in metres
October
00:30
01:14
19:49 10.33
01:56 0.41
14:15 0.60
02:36 0.66 08:48 9.88
03:14
03:51
16:15
04:30 2.42
10:53 8.17
17:03 2.75 23:27
November December
04:18
05:12
05:58
IMPORTANT!
Check your boat Insurance cover is correct
You must have valid marine insurance prior to entering our Marina. Fully comprehensive insurance is preferable and it must include salvage i.e. removal of wreck. Cover should have a 5 million pounds Third Party Liability.
You should know that, as a boat owner, you may be personally liable for all damage to your own boat, third party boats and pollution costs should your boat not be insured, or an insurance company decline a claim.
Unfortunately, during 2023 we had two boats catch fire with one case where the fire spread to several others. Also during this time we had several boats sink where the boat owner did not have salvage cover. Please check this with your insurer. The total costs to raise a boat after it sinks can be anywhere between £2,000 - £50,000. These costs can include specialist dive teams, support boats, oil spillage booms, oil & fuel extraction, and associated waste disposal charges.
Please check your insurance policy includes the following cover:
• up to 5 million pounds Third Party Liability
• salvage/ removal of craft
You should take this opportunity to check all the details are correct and accurate to make sure the insurance company have all the information they need to process any claims smoothly:
• The price you paid for the boat
• The correct make / model of the craft
• Where the boat is moored (Swansea Marina)
If you are uncertain contact your insurance broker or insurance provider to check the details and ensure that your policy is in keeping with your details and requirements.
Tawe Lock Closures 2024
January
Thursday 11 1030 - 1330
Friday 12 1115 - 1415
Saturday 13 1215 - 1515
Sunday 14 300 - 1600
Monday 15 1345 - 1645
Tuesday 16 1430 - 1730
Wednesday 17 Lock Master’s Decision
Thursday 25 Lock Master’s Decision
Friday 26 Lock Master’s Decision
Saturday 27 1200 - 1500
Sunday 28 Lock Master’s Decision
Monday 29 Lock Master’s Decision
February
Thursday 08 Lock Master’s Decision
Friday 09 1030 - 1330
Saturday 10 1115 - 1415
Sunday 11 1200 - 1500
Monday 12 1245 - 1545
Tuesday 13 1330 - 1630
Wednesday 14 1400 - 1700
Thursday 15 1445 - 1745
Friday 23 Lock Master’s Decision
Saturday 24 1100 - 1400
Sunday 25 1130 - 1430
Monday 26 1200 - 1500
Tuesday 27 1230 - 1530
Wednesday 28 1300 - 1600
Thursday 29 Lock Master’s Decision
March
Friday 08 Master’s Decision
Saturday 09 1000 - 1300
Sunday 10 1100 - 1400
Monday 11 1145 - 1445
Tuesday 12 1215 - 1515
Wednesday 13 1300 - 1600
Thursday 14 1330 - 1630
Friday 15 1415 - 1715
Saturday 23 Lock Master’s Decision
Sunday 24 1045 - 1345
Monday 25 1115 - 1415
Tuesday 26 1130 - 1430
Wednesday 27 1200 - 1500
Thursday 28 1230 - 1530
Friday 29 Lock Master’s Decision
April
Saturday 06 1000 - 1300
Sunday 07 1045 - 1345
Monday 08 1130 - 1430
Tuesday 09 1215 - 1515
Wednesday 10 1300 - 1600
Thursday 11 1330 - 1630
Friday 12 1400 - 1700
Saturday 13 Lock Master’s Decision
Sunday 21 Lock Master’s Decision
Monday 22 1100 - 1400
Tuesday 23 1130 - 1430
Wednesday 24 1200 - 1500
Thursday 25 1230 - 1530
Friday 26 1300 - 1600
Saturday 27 Lock Master’s Decision
Tawe Lock Closures 2024
May
Sunday 05 0930 - 1230
Monday 1015 - 1315
Tuesday 07 1100 - 1400
Wednesday 08 1145 - 1445
Thursday 09 1230 - 1530
Friday 10 1300 - 1600
Saturday 11 1345 - 1645
Wednesday 22 Lock Master’s Decision
Thursday 23 Lock Master’s Decision
Friday 24 Lock Master’s Decision
Saturday 25 Lock Master’s Decision
Sunday 26 Lock Master’s Decision
June
Friday 02 Lock Master’s Decision
Monday 03 Lock Master’s Decision
Tuesday 04 0945 - 1245
Wednesday 05 1030 - 1330
Thursday 06 1130 - 1430
Friday 07 1200 - 1500
Saturday 08 1245 - 1545
Sunday 09 Lock Master’s Decision
Saturday 22 Lock Master’s Decision
Sunday 23 Lock Master’s Decision
Monday 24 Lock Master’s Decision
Tuesday 25 Lock Master’s Decision
Wednesday 26 Lock Master’s Decision
Friday 05 Lock Master’s Decision
Saturday 06 Lock Master’s Decision
Sunday 07 Lock Master’s Decision
Monday 08 Lock Master’s Decision
Tuesday 09 Lock Master’s Decision
Sunday 21 Lock Master’s Decision
Monday 22 1215 - 1515
Tuesday 23 1300 - 1600
Wednesday 24 1345 - 1645
Thursday 25 1430 - 1730
Friday 26 1515 - 1815
Saturday 27 Lock Master’s Decision
July August
Sunday 04 Lock Master’s Decision
Monday 05 1215 - 1515
Tuesday 06 1245 - 1545
Wednesday 07 1330 - 1630
Thursday 08 Lock Master’s Decision
Friday 09 Lock Master’s Decision
Monday 19 1115 - 1415
Tuesday 20 1200 - 1500
Wednesday 21 1245 - 1545
Thursday 22 1330 - 1630
Friday 23 1415 - 1715
Saturday 24 1445 - 1745
Sunday 25 Lock Master’s Decision
Tawe Lock Closures 2024
September
September
Monday 02 Lock Master’s Decision
Tuesday 03 1200 - 1500
Wednesday 04 1230 - 1530
Thursday 05 1300 - 1600
Friday 06 1330 - 1630
Saturday 07 Lock Master’s Decision
Monday 16 Lock Master’s Decision
Tuesday 17 1100 - 1400
Wednesday 18 1145 - 1445
Thursday 19 1230 - 1530
Friday 20 1 315 - 1615
Saturday 21 1345 - 1645
Sunday 22 1430 - 1730
Monday 23 Lock Master’s Decision
October
Tuesday 01 Lock Master’s Decision
Wednesday 02 1130 - 1430
Thursday 03 1200 - 1500
Friday 04 1230 - 1530
Saturday 05 1300 - 1600
Sunday 06 Lock Master’s Decision
Tuesday 15 Lock Master’s Decision
Wednesday 16 1030 - 1330
Thursday 17 1115 - 1415
Friday 18 1200 - 1500
Saturday 19 1245 - 1545
Sunday 20 1330 - 1630
Monday 21 1400 - 1700
Thursday 31 Lock Master’s Decision
November
Friday 01 1030 - 1330
Saturday 02 1100 - 1400
Sunday 03 Lock Master’s Decision
Monday 04 Lock Master’s Decision
Wednesday 13 Lock Master’s Decision
Thursday 14 0900 - 1200
Friday 15 1000 - 1300
Saturday 16 1045 - 1345
Sunday 17 1130 - 1430
Monday 18 1215 - 1515
Tuesday 19 Lock Master’s Decision
December
Tuesday 12 Lock Master’s Decision
Sunday 01 Lock Master’s Decision
Monday 02 Lock Master’s Decision
Saturday 14 Lock Master’s Decision
Sunday 15 1030 - 1330
Monday 16 1115 - 1415
Tuesday 17 1200 - 1500
Wednesday 18 Lock Master’s Decision
Wednesday 25 Christmas Day - Closed
Tuesday 31 Lock Master’s Decision