Toggle mobile menu visibility

Knab Rock launching and boat storage

If you want to use Swansea's slipways to launch your boat or jet-ski, you'll have to register first.

Boat registration

All users wishing to launch a motorised craft from Knab Rock slipways must register the boat / personal watercraft with Swansea Council.

The scheme helps to improve safety in congested water areas, and will help identify drivers of craft who are operating outside the council rules and regulations or driving the craft in a manner which is dangerous to others or themselves.

Details of ownership are logged with the council and a registration number is allocated. Two stickers are issued that display the registration number, these must be displayed in a prominent position either side of the craft.

  1. Access to the slip will be denied if registration numbers are not on display
  2. Access will be suspended whilst complaints are investigated
  3. A new registration is required if new or additional craft is purchased.

Current charges

  • one off registration fee - £30
  • daily launch / recover fee including 24 hour trailer storage for craft at sea - £7.50

Jet ski / personal water craft users

Jet ski / personal watercraft (PWC) users wanting use of Knab Rock slips must pass a Royal Yachting Association, Personal Watercraft Proficiency course before the council will allow them to launch from Knab Rock slips. The following documents will need  to be submitted to the council by the jet ski / PWC user for annual review:

  • RYA PWC photographic certificate
  • minimum £2,000,000 public liability insurance

Users will also be required to sign up to the council's terms and conditions and users will be issued with an annual photographic access card which will be valid from April to March.

You can book a PWC proficiency course (opens new window) on the RYA website.

More safety information when using personal water craft (opens new window) is available on the Personal Watercraft Partnership (PWP) website.

Current charges

  • one off registration fee - £30.00
  • annual administration charge inc photographic access card - £70
  • daily launch / recover fee including 24 hour trailer storage for craft at sea - £7.50

Use of launching slips

All craft are required to pay a daily launch / recover fee when using the council's slips, this income is used to maintain and clear / dispose debris from the slips. Users  have to register their craft before using the slips, see boat registration information for further details.

Current charges

  • daily launch / recover fee including 24 hr trailer storage for craft at sea - £7.50
  • annual launching pass - £120.00

Knab Rock boat storage

All craft stored at Knab must be insured and have minimum £2,000,000 public liability insurance.

All users must sign the council's terms and conditions.

Current charges

  • annual fee (April - March) including 12 months slip usage - £199.80

General information

Owners of a motorised craft have a responsibility towards themselves, their passengers and other users of the water.

Before going to sea, some basic skills of seamanship should be acquired, with the use of safety equipment and boat / engine maintenance.

What to do before setting off:

  • check the weather forecast
  • check local sea conditions, tide times, underwater obstructions, by-laws
  • ensure your engine and equipment is well maintained
  • always use fresh fuel
  • wear a lifejacket
  • park your car and trailer with care and consideration
  • do not obstruct slipways or access for other users or emergency services
  • always carry safety equipment or devices for raising the alarm.

Be safe afloat

  1. DO NOT drink and drive! It is as dangerous on the sea as it is on land
  2. Leave details of where you intend to go and estimate time of return
  3. Stay at least 100 metres from shore at popular bathing beaches
  4. No recovering at Langland or Caswell unless in an emergency
  5. Observe speed limits, especially within marker buoys and launching sites
  6. Connect engine shut - off lanyards (kill cords) if able to do so
  7. Do not allow young children or untrained persons to be in control of water craft of speed boats.

Knab Rock reception

Our reception is open daily during the summer months, however on occasion staff are outside assisting other boat owners. Should reception be closed when you arrive you can contact us by telephone: 01792 363705.

Close Choose Language