Cill gate at Southsea Marina

Southsea Marina has an automatic tidal ‘cill gate’ which opens and closes automatically at certain states of the tide to protect the marina’s water depth. 

The cill gate gives approximately six hours of access per tidal cycle. See Southsea’s tides and cill gate opening times here. Please be aware that times are approximate and can be affected by weather conditions and air pressure. 

The marina entrance is seven metres wide. Red and green lights at the marina’s entrance show if the tidal gate is up or down. They are not used to control traffic. 

Red light - tidal gate up. No access. 

Green light - tidal gate down. Access allowed. 

When entering the marina, the vessel travelling with the tide takes priority over a vessel travelling in the opposite direction. 

Southsea 40 NW Mixed Content Block 952X664

How the cill gate works

The tidal gate uses the laws of buoyancy. As the sea level rises, the gate’s weights become relatively lighter, allowing it to lower until flat. At this point there is 1.6 metres depth over it and a green light will be displayed. Deeper vessels should wait and check the water gauge before entering. As the tide goes out the weights become heavier and pull up the gate.

Southsea 22 047 NW Mixed Content Block 952X664

Waiting pontoon

There is an outer waiting pontoon adjacent to the marina entrance for vessels waiting to enter the marina if the tidal gate is up or there is insufficient water. Premier Marinas staff are happy to move boats permanently berthed in the marina to or from the waiting pontoon free of charge, Monday to Friday with 24 hours’ notice.

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Download the Premier Marinas mobile app

Take control with MyPremier and the Premier App. Sign in to the app with your MyPremier account and access a range of unique features to help you when you're out and about. Inform your home marina of your departure and expected return, view the latest tides and weather information or report any maintenance.