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The Dee Conservancy

The Dee Conservancy is the harbour, navigation and local lighthouse authority for most of the Dee Estuary in North Wales.

It was created by the Dee Conservancy Act of 1889 to conserve, improve and control navigation of the River Dee between Chester and the estuary mouth. Environment Agency Wales now carries out the duties and obligations of the Conservancy.

Area regulated by Dee Conservancy

Duties of the Dee Conservancy

The Dee Conservancy is responsible for providing navigation aids such as buoys, lights and markers for vessels passing through the Dee estuary as far upstream as Wilcox Point, Chester.

You can find out more about our responsibilities and how marine operations are managed on the Dee in Safe Marine Operations in the Dee Conservancy (PDF 614KB)

Important information for mariners

If you are coming into the Estuary, the following Notices to Mariners (NtoM) will state the latest issues:

Safety at sea

We strongly advise all users of the Conservancy to discuss their activity in the Estuary with the Harbour Master, especially if commercial operations are taking place.

Harbour Master
Strategic Marine Services Limited
Top Floor
6 The Quadrant
Hoylake
Wirral
Merseyside
CH47 2EE

For more information and guidance about the safe use of the Dee Estuary:

The Dee Conservancy has recently published a safety plan for marine operations.  The plan is subject to review on an annual basis

Tide times on the Dee Estuary

You can find out the latest tide times by going to:

  • Easytide

    The Dee Harbour Revision Order

    Environment Agency Wales is still awaiting the Secretary of State's decision on the Dee revision order