The Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority (DHNA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this April, marking five decades of managing and protecting one of the South West’s most iconic waterways.

Formed in 1976 through the merger of the River Dart Navigation Commission and the Dart Harbour Commission, the authority now oversees a 12-nautical-mile stretch of the River Dart, from Dartmouth harbour entrance to Totnes.

Over that time, it has supported a wide range of marine activity, from commercial shipping to leisure craft, superyachts and visiting cruise liners.

Today, the harbour is used by local residents, businesses and visitors alike, and has evolved significantly since its early days. While commercial operations once dominated the river, leisure use now accounts for around 95 per cent of activity, reflecting the Dart’s transformation into a leading destination for sailing, boating and waterside tourism.

The river has long been a focal point for both everyday life and special occasions, hosting regattas, naval cadet training vessels, historic paddle steamers and visiting cruise ships.

It is also reported that Sir Walter Raleigh liked to sit atop the Anchorstone, the rock in the river just south of Dittisham, to smoke his pipe.

Sustainability has become a focus for the authority in recent years. Projects such as the Saltmarsh Project aim to restore important habitats along the estuary, while ongoing work looks to improve water quality and protect the Dart’s natural environment.

An example of this shift is the harbour’s move towards cleaner transport is the fully electric water taxi Phoebe, once a diesel vessel, she is now powered by marine-grade batteries and has already saved thousands of litres of fuel and several tonnes of carbon emissions.

The authority hopes this will form part of a wider transition to a low-emission fleet in the future.

Wildlife also remains a key part of the estuary, with seals and porpoises regularly spotted gliding along the waterway.

Alongside environmental work, the authority continues to maintain essential infrastructure, including around 1,600 permanent moorings, navigation marks and buoys, while supporting commercial activity and ensuring safe access for all river users. The DHNA says it prides itself on playing a vital role in welcoming everyone into the harbour.

Operating as an independent, not-for-profit trust port, the authority puts the local community at the centre of operations.

The Dart Harbour Community Fund aims to provide access to the Dart and offer water-based activities to young people or disadvantaged people in the local community, which has included a successful scheme teaching local schoolchildren to swim.

As Dart Harbour celebrates its Golden Anniversary, the authority says it remains committed to balancing heritage with innovation. Continued investment in harbour facilities, environmental protection and partnerships with local organisations are expected to play a key role in shaping the next chapter of the Dart’s story.

As it marks its golden anniversary, the Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority is reflecting on its past while setting a course for the future, aiming to ensure the river continues to be enjoyed, protected and sustained over the next 50 years and beyond.