http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/43/article/20The Weymouth Harbour Revision Order 2021enHARBOURS, DOCKS, PIERS AND FERRIESStatute Law Database2026-05-05Expert Participation2026-02-20 This Order, made on the application of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council (now Dorset Council) modernises and consolidates the statutory harbour powers applying in relation to Weymouth Harbour and provides for:The Jurisdiction (article 4) and General functions (article 5) of the Council as the statutory harbour authority for Weymouth Harbour and clarity on the limits of the harbour (article 6) including plans of the harbour limits and the harbour premises which can be inspected during working hours at the office of the Marine Management Organisation, Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7YH and the principal office of the Dorset Council County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ.Powers to vest in the Council relating to finances including application (article 7), reserve fund (article 8) and borrowing powers (article 9).A modern suite of charging powers (article 10 – 19) including exemptions from harbour dues (article 17) and prevention of sailing of vessels (article 19).Powers of general and special direction on the Council and the harbour master (defined in article 2) for the regulation and management of the harbour (articles 20 to 27). A register of all in force general directions which may be inspected during working hours at the harbour office of the Council (article 23). This Order creates an offence of failing to comply with special or general directions, the penalty for which is a fine on summary conviction not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (article 25). A defence of due diligence is available to a person charged under article 25 (article 25(2)).The establishment of an advisory body consisting of harbour stakeholders with which the Council are required to consult on material matters (article 28).Powers relating to development of land (article 29), power to grant tenancies and dispose of land (article 30), power to appropriate lands and works for particular uses, etc. (article 31), other commercial activities (article 32), power to delegate functions (article 33).Powers relating to moorings (article 34), bunkering (article 35), aids to navigation (article 36), power to dredge (article 37), repairing of landing places (article 38).Powers relating to disposal of wrecks (article 39), unserviceable vessels (article 40), removal of obstructions other than vessels (article 41) and notices (article 43).Savings for Trinity House (article 42), the Crown (article 44) and existing byelaws etc. (article 45).To facilitate that above, the Order repeals and revokes the Acts and Orders set out in Schedule 2 to the Order and amends the Acts of 1854, 1879, 1887, 1914 and Orders of 1930 and 1988 as set out in article 46. PART 5201The Council may make such byelaws as it thinks fit for the efficient management and regulation of the harbour.2Without prejudice to paragraph (1), the Council may make byelaws under this article for any of the purposes set out in Schedule 1 but such byelaws shall not come into operation until the same have received the allowance and the confirmation of the Secretary of State which shall be sufficient for all purposes.3In this article “signals” includes sound signals.4Byelaws made under this article may—aprovide for imposing upon a person offending against them, or against any condition, requirement or direction imposed, made or given thereunder, a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale on summary conviction;brelate to the whole of the harbour or to any part thereof;cmake different provisions for different parts of the harbour or in relation to different classes of vessels or vehicles; anddotherwise make different provision for different circumstances.5Where a person is charged with an offence against a byelaw in force under this article, it shall be a defence for the person to prove—athat they took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of such an offence;bthat they had a reasonable excuse for their act or failure to act; orcthat the offence was not caused or facilitated by any act or neglect on their part or on the part of any person engaged or employed by them and that all reasonable steps were taken to prevent the commission of the offence.6The provisions contained in subsections (3) to (8) of section 236 (Procedure etc., for byelaws) and section 238 (Evidence of byelaws) of the Local Government Act 1972 (which relates to the procedure etc. for byelaws and evidence of byelaws) shall apply to any byelaws made by the Council under this article; and those provisions, in their application to any such byelaws, shall have effect. 1972 c.70. Art. 20 in force at 17.2.2021, see art. 1