Lymington Harbour has undertaken its scheduled port marine safety audit, occurring immediately after the launch of the refreshed Ports & Marine Facilities Safety Code. The Harbour is among the first Organisations audited under the new Code.

The Harbour is one of the UK’s premier yachting centres, and home to Wightlink’s Lymington to Yarmouth ferry service, providing a vital lifeline with over 10,000 trips per year. 

ABPmer provides Designated Person assurance services to Lymington Harbour, carrying out a port marine safety audit annually. The consultancy recently carried out Lymington’s 2025 audit as scheduled, which transpired to be the day after the Department for Transport’s Ports & Marine Facilities Safety Code (PMSC) was relaunched in partnership between the UK government and the ports industry.

Previously known as the Port Marine Safety Code, the PMSC is the national standard for all port and marine operations. It is issued by the Department for Transport, with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) overseeing its delivery. All ports, harbours and marine facilities are expected to operate to its standard or be working towards its full implementation. 

Lymington Harbour demonstrated—through its policies, plans, processes and staff team delivery of professional marine operations—that it fully met the standard of the new Code. 

Monty Smedley, ABPmer Designated Person, said:

"I am very pleased to report to Lymington Harbour Commissioners that the standard of the PMSC has been met and exceeded in many areas. This is a particularly impressive achievement given the recent publication of the revised Code and recognition that Lymington Harbour was already operating to a high standard with a number of best practice approaches.”

Ryan Willegers, Chief Executive, Lymington Harbour said:

“We are delighted with the outcome of our audit which recognises the hard work and dedication from the whole team at Lymington Harbour Commissioners.”

Matthew Wright, Harbour Master, Lymington Harbour said:

“The Harbour Team at Lymington are especially proud of our performance.  No one takes safety for granted and we very much welcome the scrutiny that the PMSC audit provides. We look forward to putting our Marine Safety Management System into full use during the upcoming season.”