The hulc was depicted in the town seal. Hulcs are believed to have taken over from cogs and up to the late 15th century seem to have been the main sea-going trading vessels of N W Europe. In the subsequent centuries Shoreham was at times the most important English Channel port and at other times fell into disuse because of silting up of the harbour. Public Hards allow the free launching of boats, notably at Ropetackle. It is important to get the tides right and there is still 30 minutes to go to reach the harbour entrance.
High springs occur around midday.
Airport Shoreham Airport is located on the western side of the River Adur. The first commercial aerodrome in Britain, opened in 1911, is now used almost exclusively for light aircraft and helicopter flights. There is an Aviation Museum in an old hangar. Pleasure flights are available. The Art Deco terminal building was designed by Stavers H. Tiltman.