Fishing boat registration codes

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Fishing boat registration codes are the letters and numbers displayed prominently on the side of European (including UK) fishing boats. The letters are derived from the first letter plus one or two more letters of the home port name followed by an identifying number. When we were on Portland Bill we saw the fishing boat WH296 cutting through the glittering sea, heading towards WeymoutH, its home port. Later we saw the boat moored at the harbourside and noted that it was, very appropriately, called "Portland Isle".

photos © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Boats at Beer, Devon

You get a great sense of the continuity of life when you see fishing boats sharing a beach with yachts and other recreational vessels. Many, if not most, of the small havens and ports of the UK's coast began life because of the need for fishing and it is good to see them still engaged in that activity. With reference to yesterday's post, the two fishing boats here are registered at Falmouth (FH) and Penzance (PZ).

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Fishing boats, Weymouth harbour

All the fishing boats of the UK have a prominent registration code displayed on their hull. This comprises one or two letters that identifies their home port and a number that is unique to the individual boat. The red, black and white boat in the foreground of this photograph originates from Littlehampton (LI) and the blue and white boat in the background is in its home port of Wemouth (WY).

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2