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The Thornbury Harbour

The Blue Mountains welcomes the public to come and enjoy the Thornbury Harbour. As one of our many public facilities, The Thornbury Harbour offers the following services:

• 250 docks
• Maximum length: 100'
• Transient Docks
• Shore Power
• 7' Draft
• Fuel: Gas, Diesel and Pumpout

The Thornbury Harbour also offers the following amenities:

• Washrooms
• Showers
• Drinking Water
• Ice

Nearby, visitors have access to:

• Bed and Breakfast Establishments
• Motels
• Cottages
• Restaurants
• Snack Bars
• Shopping
• Variety Stores 

Waiting List

At present there is no wait for a slip for a vessel 21’ and smaller.  There are approximately 10 vessels in the 22’-27’ category which typically turns over 15 vessels per year. "Turn over" refers to the boats that do not renew and are replaced by boats from the waiting list. There are approximately 20 vessels in the 28’-35’ category which typically turns over 15-20 vessels per year.   There are approximately 30 vessels in the 36’ and larger category.  To add your name to the waiting list, download the 'Harbour Waiting List Application' on the right-hand side of the page, complete it, and return it to the contact noted on the application. A deposit of $150.00 is required to be added to the waiting list. The $150.00 non-refundable deposit will be credited to the first season’s mooring fees. Please note that a slip will be offered twice to a person, and without being accepted, that person's name will be removed from the waiting list.

Current Seasonal Slip Users

If you have indicated on your 2013 Licence of Occupation that you wish to return in 2013, the same slip will be reserved in your name for the 2013 boating season. Please review the following information carefully, as the process for retaining a slip has changed. For the 2013 boating season, please be aware that the completed Licence of Occupation 2013 and cheque must be received by the Town by January 2, 2013.  After that date, there will be no guarantee that a slip will be available for your boat. Cheques are to be post-dated to APRIL 1, 2013.   

Please mark '2013 Mooring Fees' on the outside of your envelope containing the Licence of Occupation and cheque for more efficient processing of documents.  

Please note that any change in your boat size which will necessitate a different slip will require you to apply first to the waiting list.  This is the result of limited mooring space at our Harbour.  

When returning your Licence of Occupation, please ensure that you complete ALL of the required information in the allotted areas.  Please note that a 'Licence of Occupation 2013' returned saying 'Same as Last Year' or not completed will not be accepted and could result in the loss of your slip.  We use the information to make sure that your boat is safely in your slip and that in the case of an emergency we are able to contact you or a designate as soon as possible.

If you are not able to download and print a copy of the  Licence of Occupation for completion, please contact the Town and a Licence of Occupation can be mailed to you.

Seasonal Slip User Checklist

Please ensure that you have downloaded, and read the following:

• Letter to Seasonal Slip Users
• Land Storage Rates 2012 (if applicable)
• Licence of Occupation-Conditions (Schedule 'A')

Schedule “A” to the Licence of Occupation will be acknowledged in the completed Licence of Occupation as having been reviewed and agreed to by the applicant. Note that the three page Schedule “A” will no longer have to be sent back and forth between the applicant and the Town. Please ensure that you have downloaded, read, completed and mailed the following:

• Licence of Occupation 2013
• Land Storage Agreement 2013(if applicable)

Please follow mailing instructions on the Licence of Occupation 2013 and Land Storage Agreement 2013 (if applicable).

Visiting Thornbury Harbour By Water

Thornbury Harbour is located at the south end of Nottawasaga Bay between Collingwood and Meaford at the mouth of the Beaver River. The only significant offshore hazards in the vicinity are the Craigleith Shoals, 5 nm to the east of the harbour. Approaching from the north, you will see the prominent Blue Mountain (150 m high) to the east and a smaller escarpment to the west. Another prominent landmark is the white Thornbury Water Tower which stands about 1 kilometer inland. A fairway buoy "TT" is located at 44° 34.15' N, 80° 26.53' W, off the Harbour mouth. From this buoy the course to the end of the pier is 205° True. The channel into the Harbour is to the left of the end of the pier.

A landfall light is located at the end of the pier, showing white if you are on course, red if you are to the right of the course, and green if you are to the left of the course.

Visiting Thornbury Harbour by Land

By land take Highway 26 westward from Barrie or eastward from Owen Sound. Thornbury is 20 km west of Collingwood and 12 km east of Meaford. On reaching the stop lights at the centre of town (Bruce St.), turn north towards the Bay and then right at the stop sign (Huron St.). The road descends steeply to the river then turns north to the Harbour.
(Directions courtesy of the Thornbury Yacht Club)

Thornbury Harbour Five Anchor Award

In 2008, Thornbury Harbour received a Five Anchor Award for its eco-efficiency performance. This designation from the Ontario Marine Operators Association was awarded based on a stringent eco-rating checklist, which includes a review of environment management and policies, water quality and habitat preservation, hazardous substance handling, conservation, energy efficiency and waste reduction.

• 2013 Dock Layout (55 KB)
• 2013 Harbour Mooring Fees (23 KB)
• Clean Marine Eco Rating (1.03 MB)
• Land Storage 2012 2013 PDF (115 KB)
• Land Storage Rates 2012 2013 (16 KB)
• Licence of Occupation Contract 2013 (41 KB)
• License Of Occupation Conditions 2013 (25 KB)
• Thornbury Harbour Rates (67 KB)
• Thornbury Harbour Sail Plan (35 KB)
• Waiting List App 2013 (197 KB)