Notice is hereby given jointly by the ABP Southampton Harbour Master and the Cowes Harbour Master that as part of the Cowes Week Regatta 200th Anniversary, a Fireworks Display will take place on Friday 7 August 2026 in Cowes Harbour.
The display will commence at 2130 BST. The fireworks display will be launched from a barge holding position in the Outer Fairway of Cowes Harbour (see Figure 1). Due to navigational safety reasons CHC will introduce and enforce an Exclusion Zone of at least 350m around the barge from 2115 BST until the conclusion of the display to protect spectating craft from firework fallout and debris; in the interests of safety all vessels must remain outside the Exclusion Zone.
Figure 1: Fireworks Exclusion Zone -NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION
From 2000hrs onwards, CHC patrol vessels will be directing small craft to moorings and anchorages, as appropriate. The main Fairway will be closed to all traffic from 2120 BST to 2150 BST for the duration of the fireworks display.
Prior to the display the fireworks barge will hold station in the vicinity of the C2 anchorage and transfer to the holding position above using a tug at approximately 2100 BST. The Exclusion Zone (Figure 1) will be strictly enforced and applicable to all craft before the fireworks display begins at 2130 BST.
Safety of Navigation
During the time period preceding, during and immediately following the fireworks display, particular attention must be given to safety of navigation within the Harbour approaches and main navigable Fairway.
No vessel may anchor where it will obstruct the main Fairway and its approaches. All vessels are reminded that the seabed around all mooring buoys is fouled with chain and ground tackle; such ground tackle extends a significant distance from the mooring buoys.
Mariners are reminded of the importance of displaying the correct navigation lights, maintaining a good lookout by all available means, at all times and in all directions, and proceeding at a speed consistent with safe navigation, particularly at the conclusion of the display as spectator craft get underway and return to their home ports (see below Safe Speed).
Safe Speed
Mariners are reminded that a speed limit of 6 knots through the water is in force for every vessel navigating in the Inner Harbour or within 100 metres of the Mean High Water Mark. All vessels navigating in Cowes Harbour should expect to encounter very dense concentrations of traffic and poorly lit moored craft on departure of the fireworks display area, and should therefore anticipate the need to proceed at a speed slower than the Harbour speed limit so as to comply with Rule 6 (Safe Speed) of International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
For more information on the speed and wash limits in Cowes Harbour, please see the Cowes Harbour General Directions Chapter 3.
This local notice to mariners will self-cancel at 2359 on 8 August 2026.
