Harbours Information

The Harbours section of the Department's Ports Division is in a unique position in the British Isles in that it has responsibility for the Coastguard and Territorial Sea Management, as well as the Island's harbours and the berths within the harbours.

Harbours has 4 sections:

• Harbour Operations
• Coastguard
• Territorial Seas Management
• Administration

The purpose of the Harbours section is to manage and develop appropriate marine related commercial and leisure opportunities; ensure that the Isle of Man's maritime interests and obligations are addressed and provide facilities and services that meet the needs of our present and future customers.

• Provision, operation and maintenance of the 8 statutory harbours;
• Preparation of harbours legislation
• Local coastguard service and marine oil pollution contingency planning
• Ownership of the foreshores (except Douglas beach in ownership of the Borough Council) up to highwatermark
• The territorial seabed up to 12 miles
• Co-ordination of territorial sea management
• monitoring of coast erosion
• Registration of locally based pleasure craft
• Regulation of coastal navigation