Yachting BlueRace or Leisure Event Notification

Leisure Event Requirements – Southampton VTS Area

We collect information about all leisure events planned within or adjacent to the Southampton VTS area (click here to view the map).
This helps us:

  • Avoid conflicts with other planned events

  • Keep VTS and other relevant authorities informed

  • Improve safety, communication, and awareness for everyone using the Solent


What Event Organisers Must Do

1. Complete Your Own Risk Assessment

All organisers are responsible for carrying out a risk assessment for their event.
This risk assessment must be sent to ABP along with your event notification.

Guidance on how to make a risk assessment can be found on the RYA website

When completing your assessment, the Harbour Authority encourages you to consider:

  • Emergency response procedures, including collision/allision and man‑overboard (MOB) scenarios

  • Interaction with commercial traffic and how your event will safely operate alongside it

  • The differences between racing/event rules and the Collision Regulations (COLREGs) to avoid confusion on the water


2. Submit an Event Notification (Minimum 28 Days/4 Weeks Before Your Event)

You can notify us of your event in one of two ways:

Option A – Email Submission

  1. Download and complete the Event Notification Form

  2. Email the form and your risk assessment to sotonre@abports.co.uk

Option B – Submit via SCRA

You may also submit your event directly through the SCRA website.

All event notifications must be submitted at least 28 days (4 weeks) before your event date.


After You Submit

  • Once we receive your notification, it will be processed and added to the event list below.

  • If your event does not appear in the table within 3 weeks of submission, please contact us to ensure it hasn’t been missed.


Reporting an Incident

If you need to report a marine incident within the Port of Southampton or the Solent, please follow the incident reporting link.


Confirmed Leisure Events

A full list of events for which we have received notification is displayed below.