Permits & Licenses

Many activities within Littlehampton Harbour — from construction and dredging to fuelling, repairs, or filming — require formal permission from the Littlehampton Harbour Board (LHB).

 

The Harbour Board issues a range of permits and licences to ensure that all works, projects, and on-water activities are carried out safely, professionally, and in full compliance with harbour regulations and environmental regulations.

Our goal is to make the process straightforward and transparent, while protecting the harbour, its users, and the unique environment of the River Arun.

Whether you’re a contractor, vessel operator, or event organiser, this section explains which permissions you might need, how to apply, and who to contact for guidance.

Jetski / PWC User Permit

To launch or recover a Jetski / Personal Watercraft from any location within Littlehampton Harbour limits, or to proceed up-river from the A259 road bridge, the rider requires a Littlehampton Harbour PWC User Permit.

Please use the form below to register. We will contact you to arrange for a short appointement at the Harbour Office to receive a safety briefing and to be issued with your permit.

Environmental Consents & Marine Licences

Certain works or activities within the tidal River Arun may require separate Marine Licences or environmental consents from external bodies such as:

  • The Marine Management Organisation (MMO)

  • The Environment Agency

  • Natural England

The Harbour Board can advise applicants and liaise with these authorities to support a coordinated and compliant application process.
As approvals can take several weeks, early engagement is strongly recommended.

Find out more about Environmental & Marine Licensing

Hot Work Permits

Hot work — such as welding, grinding, cutting, or burning — presents significant fire and explosion risks in a marine environment.
Before any such work is carried out on a vessel or within the harbour estate, a Hot Work Permit must be obtained from the Harbour Office.

The permit process ensures:

  • The work area is suitably prepared and fire-safe

  • Firefighting equipment is available and checked

  • Operations are monitored and contained appropriately

  • Any risks to nearby vessels or infrastructure are minimised

Hot Work Permits are issued for specific locations and timeframes and must be displayed during the work.

Hot Work Permit Application

Please send completed Hot Work forms to harbour@littlehampton.org.uk for review and Sign off.

Bunkering (Fuel Transfer) 

The LHB is committed to working closely with all harbour users to ensure that pollution risks associated with bunkering and maintenance are mitigated as far as possible, and that any spillages which do occur are dealt-with promptly and effectively.

For more information, view our Bunkering Policy

Bunkering Policy

In order to ensure safe, clean operations:

  • The LHB requires merchant ship owners and/or charterers to provide the Harbour Office with advance notice of any bunkering or maintenance operations proposed whilst the vessel is berthed in Littlehampton
  • The LHB requires merchant ship owners and/or charterers to ensure that a bunkering risk assessment is completed and signed by representatives from the ship and from the fuel-supplying company before bunkering commences. Ships are encouraged to use the LHB bunkering check-list but alternative checklists are acceptable providing that they specify equally rigorous standards
  • The LHB operations team may choose to observe operations, and to request a copy of the completed check-list
  • Any spillages during bunkering or other operations must be immediately reported to the Harbour Master or Deputy

Filming, Events & Promotions

Littlehampton’s beautiful harbour and riverside are popular settings for events, regattas, and filming.
To help keep everyone safe and minimise disruption, organisers must have the Harbour Master’s permission.

Covers:

  • Public events and gatherings

  • Charity or club regattas

  • Commercial photography and filming

The Harbour Board works closely with the local authority to ensure every event is safe, compliant, and successful.

Filming within Harbour Limits has associated costs which can be found within the Schedule of Charges, linked on our Harbour Dues & Fees page.

Harbour Dues and Fees