Cardiff Harbour Authority advise all people to ALWAYS wear a life jacket when afloat.

Barrage Lock Booking Due to the capacity of the Barrage locks, booking or queuing is not normally required. However, if one of the locks is closed for maintenance reasons, a temporary period of booking may be introduced. If queuing becomes necessary, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES attempt to enter the locks until instructed to do so. Queue jumping endangers the safety of you, your vessel and others. Barrage staff will be working hard to ensure delays are kept to a minimum.

Occasionally there maybe restrictions in locking, due to the lack of water flowing into Cardiff Bay down the Rivers Taff and Ely.

These restrictions will be posted in the local Notice to Mariners, so please check with Barrage Control first.

Use VHF Radio Channel 18, call sign ‘Barrage Control’ to request a lock in. Tel: (029) 2070 0234.

Communications through the Barrage Control VHF Base Station are recorded for operational, training and health and safety reasons.

THE PROCEDURE:-

The locking procedure for the Barrage is as follows:-

1. Vessels with a draught over 2.0m should contact Barrage Control in advance of arrival at the Barrage.

2. Request an inbound or outbound passage through the locks via VHF Radio Channel 18.

3. Outbound locks will run on the hour and half-hour. Inbound locks will run quarter past and quarter to the hour.

4. Prepare your vessel for locking by using appropriate lines and fenders.

5. Brief your crew.

6. Listen on VHF Radio Channel 18 for instruction to enter the lock.

7. Once through the locks (inbound) mariners should maintain a listening watch on channels 16 and 18.

8. Observe and comply with the light signals displayed.

9. Enter the lock and moor as far forward as possible on the end cleat using appropriate fenders and mooring lines. You may be required to raft up to another vessel and for this reason it would be beneficial to rig lines and fenders to both sides of your boat.

10. Only exit the lock when the lock gates are fully open.

11. Tidal access - under normal circumstances, for vessels with a draught of under 2m full tidal access is possible. However, occasions will arise when the build up of silt within the Outer Harbour will reduce access. Relevant information can be obtained from ‘Barrage Control’ if the need arises.

12. Tide gauges are situated adjacent to the entrance of each lock and indicate the depth of water over the outer lock sills. For reasons of safety DO NOT ENTER the Outer Harbour unless instructed to do so. Simultaneous opening of both inner and outer gates (Free Flow) is only possible through lock 1. Vessels requiring this service are required to submit a written request giving one months notice. Letters should be submitted to the Barrage Manager at Cardiff Harbour Authority.
 

1. Listen to and follow instructions given to you by Barrage Staff.

2. Maintain a listening watch on VHF Radio Channel 18 until clear of the Barrage, and throughout duration of time in the Bay.

3. Moor your vessel securely in the lock.

4. In event of an emergency contact Barrage Control immediately.

5. The lock ladders are for emergency and staff use only.

6. The safety of a vessel and its crew is the responsibility of the vessels’ master.

7. Turn engine off when in the lock.

8. No refuelling permitted when approaching or in the lock.