YMDDIRIEDOLAETH HARBWR CAERNARFON
CAERNARFON HARBOUR TRUST
The Trust operates a safety patrol boat between the months of April and September.
The primary purpose of the patrol boat is to ensure that users of the waterway are
complying with the Byelaws, thereby allowing for safe use of the waterway by all.
The patrol boat is normally based at Y Felinheli (Port Dinorwic) as this area has the
greatest traffic density and the most potential for conflict between the different
activities that take place.
The patrol boat is not just there to “police” the waterway. It is also out on the water to
offer advice and to assist those who may find themselves in difficulty.
Whilst in operation, the patrol
boat maintains a listening
watch on
VHF Channel 16
Callsign “Menai Patrol”
WHAT DOES THE TRUST DO?
The Caernarfon Harbour Trust is the Statutory Harbour Authority for the Port of
Caernarfon, which encompasses an area from Caernarfon Bay to the Menai Suspension Bridge. The Trust is also the Local Lighthouse Authority (LLA) for the same area
and additionally for the Swellies. As the LLA it has responsibility for the provision of
53 Aids to Navigation, which include lights, buoys and beacons.
To discharge its statutory duties the Trust has powers to charge Harbour Dues on all
vessels lying within this area. The income raised from Harbour Dues currently only
funds approximately 40% of the cost of providing these Aids to Navigation and
managing safe navigation within the Port.
The Trust receives no outside assistance and the remainder must be subsidised from
other activities of the Trust. The Trust is the Competent Harbour Authority responsible
for the provision of Pilotage services for the whole of the Menai Strait. The Trust also
20