The Port of Dunkirk has three boating facilities to receive sailors:
- The « Port de Plaisance Dunkerque Neptune »
- The « Yacht Club de la Mer du Nord (YCMN) »
- The « Association les Dauphins »

See links to web sites at the end of the page.

The sailor interested in a call at the Port of Dunkirk must be particularly watchful and prudent because the Port of Dunkirk had an important commercial traffic with hight draft and difficult ship handling vessels or carrying harzadous goods.

In accordance with the « Code des Ports Maritimes » (maritime ports regulations), the access conditions are indicated in the « Règlement particulier de police du port» (Port's policy regulations).

Concerning the boating, the articles used to be known are here indicated.

Western Forebay (Avant Port Ouest)

Unauthorized to boating.



Eastern Forebay (Avant Port Est)

Article 4.2.1. of the « Consigne générale permanente n° 88 »

Beacon lights are installed on the cask of the "jetée Ouest du port Est" (Western pier of the Eastern port) named "Jetée de Saint Pol" which are lighted by night by floodlight.

They consist in two ramps of three fixed red beacon lights superposed and simultaneous in action as:
- 3 superposed beacon red fixed lights, in azimut 180° direction and 180° to open sea: no entry
- 3 superposed beacon red fixed lights, in azimut 345° direction and 90° to the port: no exit

In case of problem of these beacon lights, the message is replace by only one fixed red light located in the middle of each ramp.

The police's light are dedicated to boating and fishing, not to commercial traffic.

Article 6 of the « Consigne générale permanente n° 88 »

Entry and exit by sailing to or from the locked docks locks are only possible through the lock « Trystram », except with an authorisation delivered by the Harbour Master.

The timetable of the lock are indicated an advice dedicated to sailors (see here under).

In case of fog or, the Harbour Master's Office can forbid boating flow inside the port.

Article 6 of the policy regulations (« Règlement particulier de police du Port de Dunkerque »

Sailing between the Eastern forebay (Avant port Est) and the sailing harbours is limited to the short up on in- or outway (via lock in some cases). The yacht must not to bother ship handlings.

They must sail along the channels and not to cut the road to the commercial vessels by their front.

No fishing from the yacht on port and the forebay waters.

No anchorage to the yacht in the port and the forebay waters.

No mooring on place not specially equiped to, excepted with a pass delivered only by the Harbour Master.

V.H.F. on channel 73 is recommanded. If necessary, "Dunkerque VTS" can give usefull information.

Speed in the channels and basins is limited at 5 knots and must be adapted close to boating or cargo handling or works along quays areas.

Timetable:

Contact details of the marinas

> Marina « Ports de Plaisance Dunkerque Neptune »
Created in 1993 with 250 berths, the « Ports de Plaisance Dunkerque Neptune » offers today 655 berths located in three sites:
- The marina « Port de plaisance du Grand Large » with direct access to sea 24 hours a day
- The marina « Port de plaisance du Bassin du Commerce », behind the locks
- The new marina « Port de plaisance du Bassin de la Marine » behind the locks, inaugurated in September 2004.

Located close to the town center, the marinas, behind the locks, are the ideal point of departure for shopping and to discover the City of Jean Bart.

At all these installations, sailors can find water, electricity and sanitary services. Two pumping stations for used water and bilge water are installed on the piers of the marinas behind locks. All the sites have facilities for visitors.

Holder of the "Pavillon bleu » (blue flag) since 1999, the Port authority organises sorted rubbish collection (batteries, oils, ship miscellanea) in a specific area. Vessel maintenance facilities and shipchandlery are available on site.

> Information and reservations at the « Grand Large » on +33 (0)3 28 63 23 00
> Information and reservations for basins behind locks at the Port office on + 33 (0)3 28 24 58 80

> Link :http://Dunkerque-marina.com


> Yacht Club de la Mer du Nord
(250 berths and 50 visitors berths)
Phone : + 33 (0)3 28 66 79 90
Fax: + 33 (0)3 28 66 36 22
Link : http://ycmn.com

> Association "Les Dauphins"
Link : http://dauphinsdunkerque.free.fr

> Association "Les Marins de la Citadelle"
Link : http://marins.citadelle.dk.free.fr