Welcome to North Sunderland Harbour's official website

Probably better known now as Seahouses Harbour, North Sunderland Harbour (its correct title), began life as a small wooden jetty between two natural rock promontories.  It lies at the east end of the village of Seahouses in north east Northumberland in close proximity to the world famous Farne Islands. Nowadays, the harbour is enjoyed by thousands of visitors who come to visit the Farnes, go charter diving and angling or just to simply enjoy a pleasant stroll along the piers of this picturesque harbour. 

 We want you to enjoy your visit to the harbour but would like to point out that the harbour is a busy working harbour with many risks, some obvious some not so. 

 Please follow the instructions on signs around the harbour to stay safe.


Co-ordinates of harbour mouth

55º 35.057’N 001º 38.912’W

 

Harbour lights characteristics

North Pier Lighthouse 55º 35.030’N 001º 38.939’W Fixed Green 

SE Breakwater 55º 35.049’N 001º 38.889’W Flash Red 2.5s

 

Fog Signal 1 prolonged blast every 2 minutes

 

APPROXIMATE DEPTH OF WATER (See also link to Tide Tables)

Outer Harbour: (at Entrance between Piers)

Ordinary Spring Tides  3.96 Metres

Ordinary Neap Tides   2.74 Metres

Inner Harbour: (at Entrance between Inner Piers)

Ordinary Spring Tides  3.50 Metres

Ordinary Neap Tides   2.29 Metres

 

 

Note: The Channel connecting the two Entrances mentioned shoals very gradually and regularly between the depths stated.

Please note that the Public Notices issued 25th August and 18th September 2023 re the Fishermen's Register and Elections are available as separate pages.

PUBLIC NOTICE @ 25th August 2023 Notice is hereby given by the North Sunderland Harbour Commissioners that it is intended that an election will be held for fishermen’s Commissioners to serve until 31 October 2024. In order to be eligible to vote in the elections, or to be nominated for election as a fishermen’s Commissioner, a person must first be included on the ‘register of fishermen’ that the Commissioners are required to keep in accordance with Article 9 of the North Sunderland Harbour Order 1931 (‘the 1931 Order’). The Commissioners are therefore publishing this notice to call for applications from persons that wish to be included on the ‘register of fishermen’. In accordance with Article 9(2) of the 1931 Order, persons eligible for registration are those who: 1. Are resident (i.e. live) in the civil parish of North Sunderland; and 2. Are either: (a) the owner or part owner of a fishing boat in respect of which composition duties have been duly paid for the use of the harbour; or (b) someone who wholly or partly derives their livelihood from sea fishing in a fishing boat in respect of which composition duties have been duly paid for the use of the harbour. As such to be eligible for inclusion on the register of fishermen, all applicants must fulfil the criteria in (1) and then either (2)(a) or 2(b) (or both 2(a) and 2(b)). Applications To assist applicants the following points of clarity are provided: • The reference to composition dues is to a vessel paying a “composition” under Part I(B) of the Schedule to the 1931 Order. The equivalent of this due is now “Annual Berthing Dues”. As such in respect of eligibility to join the register at this time, the due that needs to have been paid / be paid prior to application, in respect of a fishing vessel, is the “Annual Berthing Due” for 2023/24. • In respect of eligibility under 2(a), the requirement is simply that you are the owner or part owner of a fishing boat and that the Annual Berthing Due has been paid in respect of it. On the wording of the 1931 Act, there is no requirement for the fishing boat to be actively partaking in fishing activities at the time of application, as long as the vessel is a fishing boat. • In respect of eligibility under 2(b), it is considered that: o ‘sea fishing’ includes commercial angling charters; o the vessel on which the person wholly or partly derives their livelihood from sea fishing, must be a fishing vessel in respect of which the ‘Annual Berthing Due’ for 2023/24 has been paid. So in this case, the fishing vessel would need to be undertaking sea fishing activities, in order for that person to be able to wholly or partly derive their livelihood from sea fishing on it. When making an application, a person should provide sufficient supporting evidence to enable the Commissioners to determine whether the criteria has been met, for example: For all applications: • full name and address; • proof of address; • evidence that the vessel referred to in the application is a fishing vessel; • evidence of payment of the Annual Berthing Dues in respect of the vessel. In addition to the above, for applications under 2(a): • proof of ownership or part ownership of the vessel referred to in the application. In addition to the above, for applications under 2(b): • evidence that the applicant wholly or partly derives their livelihood from sea fishing on the vessel (or vessels) referred to in the application. Regarding all applications, please do not assume that the Commissioners have any prior knowledge of the status of applicants (i.e. include all relevant supporting information in the application). In addition to the above, if, in accordance with Article 9(2) of the 1931 Order, the applicant has any additional representations it wishes the Commissioners to take into account when considering the application, please also include them with the application. Applications must be sent to the Commissioners marked for the attention of the ‘Clerk of the North Sunderland Harbour Commissioners’. Timing of consideration of applications In respect of any application for registration as fisherman received by the Clerk by 4.00 pm on Friday 8 September 2023, the Commissioners shall confirm to each applicant, whether or not they have been registered by the Commissioners on the ‘register of fishermen’ under Article 9(1) of the 1931 Order by 4.00 pm on Friday 15 September 2023. In respect of any application for registration as a fisherman received by the Clerk after 4.00pm on Friday 8 September 2023 but before the fishermen’s election process is concluded, the Commissioners will use their reasonable endeavours to process applications for registration as fishermen made under Article 9(2), and to confirm to the applicant whether or not they have been registered, within five working days of receipt of the application. North Sunderland Harbour Commissioners 25th August 2023

Crystal Ball

 

Check out our new link to North Sunderland Forecasts here.  You'll find info on tides, rain, wind, UV, humidity, pressure, water temperature, visibility and fish activity to name a few...  it doesn't predict the lottery results though; which is a shame!