04/06/2026
Charlestown Harbour – Update
Further to the ongoing work by the Charlestown Harbour Stakeholder Group, we confirm the following information.
The Harbour has been closed and notices were served on boats/owners in October 2025.
Boat owners were advised to remove their boats from the Harbour otherwise they would be removed, disposed of or sold.
Removal of boats will now begin on Thursday16 July.
A Crane has been booked for Thursday 16 & Friday 17 July and boats will be removed from the Harbour over these two days.
This will be a joint effort by the Sailing Club, the Estate and Fife Coast and Countryside Trust. The Sailing Club will bring their knowledge and experience from their regular craning of boats in and out of the water.
Prior to craning the Sailing Club will be working (subject to tides) to bring boats alongside the Ballast Bank walls to facilitate the craning of boats onto the shore.
Boats will be stored on the landside. SEPA have confirmed that this cannot be for a period of time longer than 12 months. During this period the area will be fenced off by the Estate and appropriate health and safety /security practices put in place.
A contractor will be hired to break up/remove the boats at the earliest time, and subject to the conditions confirmed by SEPA.
For safety reasons, while this work is underway on 16 & 17 July, the Ballast Bank area will understandably be restricted to the public.
There may be some sections of road coned off for a period of time to allow the crane to enter and leave the village and Saltpans/West Harbour area.
If you have any questions, please contact the Estate Office on 01383 872344
Separately there will be a drop in event about Charlestown Harbour in the Church Hall on Saturday 4 July 10am till 3pm. Further information will follow separately.
