Shoreham (Lady Bee Marina)

Shoreham Port combines commercial shipping, fishing boats and leisure pontoons. Lady Bee Marina lies in the sheltered canal behind the locks, with water and electricity on the pontoons, a shower block, a chandlery and parking. Port Kitchen, the Port’s own café and restaurant, and the Newport Arms are beside the marina, looking over the lock gates.

Shoreham Port has been a Trust Port since 1760, when the first Shoreham Port Harbour Act received Royal Assent, and it reinvests its surpluses in the port. Its commercial cargoes include timber, steel, oil, grain and aggregates, and a fishing fleet works from the harbour. The port has been a certified EcoPort since 2013, with more than 10,000 solar panels and two onshore wind turbines, Spinny and Gusty, which on a windy day generate enough power for the whole port.

Charles II left England from Shoreham for Fécamp in Normandy on 12 October 1651, aboard the coal brig Surprise.

Southwick station is about five minutes’ walk away, and the 700 bus runs along the coast road to Brighton, Worthing and Littlehampton. Aldrington Marina lies further east along the same canal.

Call Shoreham Harbour Radio on VHF Channel 14 before entering the port. Leisure craft reach Lady Bee Marina through the Prince George Lock.

The Prince George Lock is fitted with sector gates for yachts, smaller commercial vessels and fishing boats, and is available in the high and low water periods. Entry into the canal is on the half hour, and departure from the canal is on the hour.

The green, white, green lock lights are not confirmation that there is enough water over the cill for your boat. The Port’s entry allowance for every vessel using the Prince George Lock is the height of tide minus 0.25 metres, equalling the vessel’s draught, and this is worked out in your own passage plan.

Small craft waiting for the Prince George Lock may use the outer and inner lead-ins, but must stay manned and ready to move. Commercial vessels pass through the Prince Philip Lock into the canal on most tides, and Shoreham Harbour Radio gives shipping movements on Channel 14.

Harbour dues apply in Shoreham Harbour, and vessels must display a current harbour dues plaque. Dues can be paid as directed on the invoice, or by card through Lady Bee Chandlery on 01273 591705.

Visitor berths are on the Lady Bee pontoons in the canal, for vessels up to 16 metres overall. Without a booking you will not be allowed through the locks, so call Lady Bee Chandlery on 01273 591705 before you arrive. Visitor berthing rates are given by Lady Bee Chandlery when you book, and harbour dues are charged separately.

Behind the lock the canal is impounded, so the water level at the pontoons stays steady through the tide.

Fresh water is available from standpipes along the pontoons, and metered electricity is supplied at 230 volts and 10 amps. Toilets and showers are open 24 hours on the western side of Lady Bee. Wi-Fi is available for visitors during their stay.

Lady Bee Chandlery stocks paint, rope, safety equipment, gas and charts, and is open Monday to Saturday 08:30–17:00 and closed on Sundays. Parking is available at the marina.

Southwick Square, about five minutes’ walk, has food shops, cafés, a post office and a chemist.

Lady Bee Chandlery is the marina’s management point as well as its chandlery counter, and handles berth bookings and harbour dues payments.

Vessels that have visited any non-UK port must tell Shoreham Port before disposing of food, food waste, or packaging and utensils with food residue. It must be double-bagged and placed in the blue bin marked for non-UK food waste by the pontoon entrance gate, and Lady Bee Chandlery can explain the procedure.

Crews arriving from the Continent must follow the UK entry requirements published with the Port’s visitor information before landing.

Port Kitchen, the Port’s own venue, serves coffee and fresh local food and drink with views across the lock gates and over the harbour. The Newport Arms, beside the marina, is a pub and restaurant with harbour-side views.

Brighton and Hove are a short train or bus ride east, with their shopping, attractions and nightlife. Shoreham-by-Sea’s High Street, to the west, has restaurants, pubs, bars and local shops. The 700 bus stops are a few minutes’ walk from the marina, running west to Shoreham, Worthing and Littlehampton and east to Hove and Brighton.

Southwick station, about five minutes’ walk, has direct trains to Brighton, London, Southampton, Portsmouth and Littlehampton. Taxilink, a local taxi firm, is on 01273 595959.

Shoreham suits crews who plan ahead.

The lock rules apply to every visitor.

Littlehampton and Chichester Harbour lie to the west. Brighton Marina is the next harbour east, followed by Newhaven and Sovereign Harbour.

Shoreham tide tables from UKHO data are on BBC Weather and ADMIRALTY EasyTide. Use the height of tide to work out the water over the Prince George Lock cill.