Studland Bay Marine Partnership

The Studland Bay Marine Partnership (SBMP) brings together stakeholders including conservation and boating organisations, academics, community groups and supporting local businesses. We are pleased to announce that Carbon Neutral Britain have joined the partnership as our Principal Supporter. The partnership formed to find a solution that meets the needs of the public and recreational boaters to continue to enjoy the bay, whilst protecting and restoring the sensitive seagrass habitat at Studland within the Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) and Voluntary No Anchor Zone (VNAZ). The work of the partnership has been recognised by The Crown Estate in a new documentary Sea, Land and City and recognised as best practice in the February 2025 MMO publication Moorings, consents and advice. For a round up of achievements last year, read our latest newsletter

What's happening now and how to pledge your support

Look for the location code tags on the pickup lines. Yellow stickers - 10 tonne. Blue stickers - 5 tonne.

Dorset Council is currently consulting on proposed updates to the Seaside Pleasure Boats Byelaws 2013, which are set to become the Dorset Council Purbeck Watercraft Byelaw 2027. These changes aim to improve safety, protect the environment, and ensure that everyone using Purbeck’s coastal waters can enjoy them responsibly. The consultation is open from 18th February - 15th April 2026 and you can have your say here

During the winter months the SBMP leave 10 eco-moorings installed in the bay for emergency use by boaters whilst the remaining 77 eco-moorings are inspected, cleaned and stored locally. In order to achieve this cycle of maintenance and install the partnership use the revenue achieved through mooring fees. All eco-moorings are privately owned by the SBMP and made available for public use for a mooring fee, they subject to insurance compliance with a maximum weight limit of either 5 or 10 tonne, for details please see the FAQs. Weight limits are stipulated on the buoys.

Currently, weather permitting, the SBMP anticipate that the reinstallation of the majority of the eco-moorings will commence w/c 16th March 2026 for the new boating season.

Boat users, who benefit themselves and the seagrass by using an eco-mooring, can forward their mooring fee via the simple to use Sippi Mooring App and we recommend downloading the app prior to your first use of the eco-moorings. You can also use this link to pay where you can also select to purchase a seasonal pass in the 'products' section. The SBMP is not-for-profit and all funds raised directly support the project. Step by Step Pay 2 Moor Guide If you experience any problems using the Sippi app please provide your feedback to the SBMP. Also look out for the team from partnership member Studland Watersports who will be out and about on the water during the season providing guidance for anyone on how to pay2moor.

In 2026 the fees to moor will remain at the same rate as 2025:

£7.50 for up to 4 hours
£15 for up to 24hrs (overnight)
£150 for a seasonal pass for frequent visitors

If you'd like further details on the mooring fee scheme, questions on the installation, are interested in joining the partnership or becoming a corporate sponsor helping us to protect Studland's precious seagrass habitats for generations to come, please contact us.

One of the helical screws installed on 8 May 2024 attached to the rode which ensures the mechanism floats above the seagrass Credit Apex Diving & Marine

In 2025 we were delighted to announce partnership with our new Principal Supporter Carbon Neutral Britain. You too can provide essential support to our research, monitoring and educational programmes through our donation page kindly supported by the National Trust: Donate to the Studland Bay appeal

The MMO has a dedicated webpage for Studland Bay which details their annual surveys and provides additional information on the MCZ and VNAZ MMO Studland Bay