Priya Nair
Before the sun is up: checking moorings and the weather
By 5am, a harbour master is already on the move. The first job is a slow walk along the quay, checking that overnight moorings held fast. Summer brings extra strain: charter yachts, visiting motor cruisers, and local fishing boats all tied to the same pontoons. Lines chafe, fenders shift, and a rising tide can catch a poorly secured bow. The harbour master notes anything amiss, then checks the weather forecast from the coastguard and the latest tide tables. A strong south-westerly or a spring tide can change the whole day's plan.
This early round also includes a visual check on navigation marks. Are the channel buoys still on station? Has a visiting boat dragged its anchor into the fairway? Safety starts with the small details, long before the first ferry sounds its horn.
Allocating berths and managing the visitor rush
By mid-morning, the harbour is buzzing. A 40-foot yacht from France is looking for a berth. A local crab boat needs to land its catch. A ferry is due in twenty minutes. The harbour master works from a mental map of every pontoon, mooring buoy, and quay space. Berthing is a puzzle with moving pieces – tides, vessel drafts, and stay durations all matter.
- Visitor berths: often booked by radio or online, but many boats arrive unannounced. The harbour master directs them to a spare finger pontoon or a mooring buoy, then collects harbour dues.
- Commercial priority: fishing boats and ferries get first call on deep-water quays. A trawler landing its catch needs space to unload, fuel, and ice up.
- Short-stay and dinghy parks: small craft, paddleboards, and tenders need somewhere to go. Without clear rules, the slipway becomes chaos.
Good humour helps. A calm voice on the VHF radio can untangle a queue of impatient skippers faster than any rulebook.
Safety checks and emergency readiness
Summer doesn't pause for safety drills. The harbour master still inspects lifebuoys, fire extinguishers, and access ladders. Public slipways and pontoons get a daily once-over for loose boards, slick algae, or missing handrails. With more people on the water, the chance of a minor incident – a sprained ankle, a lost child, a small engine fire – rises sharply.
Regular radio checks with the coastguard, local lifeboat crew, and ferry skippers keep everyone on the same page. The harbour master also briefs seasonal staff: how to spot a vessel dragging its anchor, when to call for a tow, and how to use the harbour's CCTV and loudhailer. Prevention is quieter than rescue, but both are part of the job.
Coordinating ferries, fishing boats, and leisure craft
By afternoon, the harbour is a mix of rhythms. A car ferry needs a clear approach and a quick turnaround. A group of yachts wants to race out of the entrance. A fishing boat is returning with a full hold. The harbour master acts as a traffic controller, using VHF Channel 12 or 16 to sequence movements. Timing is everything: a ferry that leaves late can delay a whole chain of smaller boats.
Local events add spice. A regatta, a rowing race, or a seafood festival can triple the normal footfall. The harbour master coordinates with event organisers, sets temporary speed limits, and marks a safe swimming area. Heritage vessels – old luggers, steam tugs, and restored lifeboats – need special care, too. Their skippers know the harbour well, but their lines and fenders are often traditional, so a gentle approach is essential.
Evening rounds and the heritage of the harbour
As the sun drops, the harbour master walks the quay again. This time, the focus shifts to security and quiet. Are the overnight moorings secure? Have any visitors left rubbish or oil slicks? The harbour's heritage is not just in its buildings – it's in the water quality, the working boats, and the local knowledge passed down through generations.
Evening is also when the harbour master records the day's events: berthing fees collected, incidents logged, maintenance needed. A quick chat with a fisherman or a visiting sailor often reveals a problem before it becomes a crisis. Summer is busy, but it's also a privilege – keeping a historic harbour alive and safe for everyone who depends on it.
