A defect reported while the yacht is alongside is diagnosed by a Foreland engineer. Where the fault is on a named piece of equipment, the maker or its authorised service agent is called in, and a written scope is agreed with the captain before work starts.
With three days’ notice, an engineer and parts are on the quay on arrival. Class and flag surveys are arranged with the society or the flag and attended aboard, and findings are closed out while the yacht is in port.
Spares from abroad are cleared through customs, including for a yacht under Temporary Admission. Warranty defects are documented and taken back to the builder or supplier, and ISM documentation is prepared for audit.
Yard slots, lifting and docking are booked against the yacht’s length, beam, weight and draught, and the approach is planned with the harbour and the pilots. Contractors on site are scoped, supervised and signed off.
A refit is run by Foreland Marine as owner’s representative, from specification and tender through contract, supervision and sign-off, under a separate engagement. Overhaul or refit of a yacht under Temporary Admission needs Inward Processing Relief, which is arranged before work starts.
Ten shipyards between Falmouth and the Solent lift or dock yachts. The approach to each is given as the harbour and the yard publish it.
Falmouth Docks
800 t
In the south-east corner of Falmouth Docks. Call Spindrift on VHF 11 and Falmouth Pilots on VHF 09 before arriving; pilotage is by zone, as set out on the Falmouth page.
Two 75m enclosed dry docks, or one of 150m by 24m, an 800 tonne hoist and a non-tidal wet basin. Paint, joinery and engineering in house, and alongside berthing to 100m.
Falmouth Docks, formerly A&P
253 m
The docking controller answers as Spindrift A on VHF 11; Falmouth Pilots on VHF 09.
Dry docks of 253m by 40m, 220m by 27m and 172m by 26m, and 700m of deep-water wharf. A commercial ship repair yard.
Portchester Lake
877 t
About a mile north of the harbour entrance, entered between piles 57 and 95. Pilotage is compulsory at 48m; vessels over 20m call the King's Harbour Master on VHF 11. The yard is on VHF 6.
Syncrolift to 60m, 877 tonnes and 14m beam, with hard standing for cleaning, maintenance and paint.
Gosport
180 t
Just inside the harbour entrance, with 5m at all states of tide. Vessels over 20m call the King's Harbour Master on VHF 11; the yard is on VHF 80.
Travel lift to 40m and 180 tonnes, three sheds totalling 2,000 square metres, and engineering, rigging, sail and refit firms on site. Waiting pontoons to 45m.
River Itchen
200 t
Above the Itchen Bridge, which clears 28.9m above chart datum and 23.0m above highest astronomical tide. Pilotage at 61m; Southampton VTS on VHF 12 for vessels of 20m and over.
A 200 tonne hoist, pontoons to 40m and marine trades on site. The commercial jetty takes 80m at high water with two tugs.
River Itchen
75 t
1,300m above the Itchen Bridge on the port side, opposite No 5 green beacon. Bridge clearance and pilotage as for Saxon Wharf.
A 75 tonne hoist and berths to 70m, with over 25 marine businesses on site.
Lymington River
75 t
The channel is maintained at 2.5m below chart datum to the ferry terminal and 2.0m above it, at all states of tide. No pilotage. Harbour on VHF 66, Berthon on VHF 80.
A 75 tonne hoist to 6.5m beam, a 120 tonne boat mover and a 28m paint booth. Refit, engineering, rigging and teak decks; marina berths to 45m.
River Medina
50 t
Cowes Harbour is open at all states of tide for draughts to about 3m, the Eastern Channel dredged to 2.25m. Pilotage at 48m in the inner harbour; harbour on VHF 69.
A 50 tonne travel lift, a 25 tonne boat mover and a 22 tonne crane, with engineers and electricians on site.
The Cattewater
75 t
Past the Mount Batten breakwater into the Cattewater, with not less than 2.4m at low water springs and no lock. Pilotage over 50m; Plymouth VTS on VHF 14.
A 75 tonne hoist to 6.5m beam from a deep-water dock, and superyacht berths to 45m.
River Dart
75 t
East bank above the Higher Ferry, at six knots. Pilotage over 50m in the outer zone and over 30m above the Anchor Stone, on 72 hours' notice; DARTNAV on VHF 11.
A 75 tonne hoist, the largest on the river, with antifouling, engineering, rigging and GRP firms on site.
The figures are published by the yards and the harbour authorities and were checked on 23 September 2026. Each is confirmed with the yard before a slot is booked. Rates for technical attendance are on the fees page.
Pendennis Shipyard; Balaena; Falmouth Harbour passage plan and pilotage information 2026; Premier Marinas (Trafalgar Shipyard, Endeavour Quay, Noss on Dart); Portsmouth Port pilotage; MDL Marinas (Saxon Wharf, Shamrock Quay); Southampton port users’ information and navigation guidelines, September 2026; Lymington Harbour Commissioners; Berthon; Cowes Harbour Commission navigation and pilotage directions 2026; Cowes Yacht Haven; Yacht Havens; Plymouth pilotage directions; Dart Harbour. Checked 23 September 2026.
An estimate is issued the same working day.
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