Cornwall'98 Waterside Guide

Harbours East Cornwall

Mevagissey

Mevagissey is one of Cornwall's most photographed old fishing harbours, and has the distinction of remaining a fishing harbour. Up to 50 fishing boats sail out of the harbour, and tourist craft add to the inevitable congestion in high season. As a consequence, berths for visiting yachtsmen are reasonably difficult to obtain.

The harbour is well protected from the weather, with the notable exception of a south-easterly wind. In such winds a strong swell makes the outer harbour dangerous, and entrance should never be attempted because seas can break off the mouth. There are submerged rocks to the north and south of the harbour and on both sides of the north pier. Once ashore, facilities for the visiting yachtsman are good.

Harbour Characteristics

The Inner harbour and sides of the outer harbour dry out, though a central area remains in which boats can stay afloat.

Visitors Moorings

Provision made on South Pier. Temporary berths needed by fishing craft must be vacated immediately. Harbourmaster can be contacted on (01726) 843305; VHF Channel 16. A safe anchorage is available off the harbour wall in calm conditions of offshore winds. Moorings for visiting boats up to 18 feet in length are available throughout the season, Owners to enquire at Harbour Office.

Visiting craft should moor alongside South Quay, and owners/masters report to the Harbourmaster. Out of hours telephone: (01726) 842496.

Pilotage

Approach and entry are uncomplicated, subject to weather conditions

mentioned above.

SERVICES

FOWEY

Like Falmouth, Fowey has an outstanding and extensive natural harbour, which makes it one of Cornwall's primary sailing centres. Its size ensures that it is rarely uncomfortably congested, and there are facilities for all types and sizes of craft.

The River Fowey is a long, navigable river with numerous inlets and creeks, extending north to the historic town of Lostwithiel. Deep water extends as far as the north end of Wiseman's Reach; above this point the river can dry out and should be navigated with caution and with regard to the tide tables.

The town and its twin on the east bank of the river, Polruan, is a commercial port, largely concerned with the shipment of china clay. More than a million tonnes are exported annually in 500 ships. The commercial jetties to the north of Bodinnick on the west side of the river are privately operated and must not be used by visiting craft.

Information and assistance can be obtained from the Harbourmaster's office on Albert Quay Tel: (01726) 832471/2, and it is here that harbour dues are paid. During the summer months the boat Marshall is afloat in the Harbour Patrol boat to assist and collect harbour dues. VHF Channel 12.

A water taxi is operational in the summer, called on VHF Channel 06, for ease of getting ashore.

Harbour Characteristics

Approach and entry are straightforward in any conditions and at any state of the tide. If required, there are Fowey Harbour Commission pilots on 24-hour call. Foot passenger ferries cross the harbour between Fowey and Polruan, with a car ferry upriver at Bodinnick.

Visitors Moorings

Visitors' pontoons provided by the harbour commissioners. Moorings are white and marked FHC VISITORS, and are situated at the North end of Polruan Pool and on the East Side of the river opposite the town and at the entrance to Pont Creek. Multi-berthing may be required at busy times. RNSA has a swinging mooring (members only) at north end of Polruan Pool. Anchoring permitted at direction of Harbourmaster, depending on movement of commercial shipping. Harbour Office is on Albert Quay; open weekdays 0900 to 1700 hrs, Saturday 0930 to 1200 hrs. VHF Channel 12. Tel: (01726) 832471/2472 Fax: (01726) 833738.

Pilotage

Deep water harbour channel, 200 metres wide, kept clear for commercial shipping. Pilotage is compulsory for any craft over 37.5 feet. Pilots operate on VHF Channel 9.

Sailing Clubs/Recreation Centres

Royal Fowey Yacht Club situated on the waterfront some 250m to seaward of the Harbour Master's office (01726) 833573/832245); Fowey Gallants Sailing club, up-river of the Harbour Master's office also welcomes members and visiting yachtsmen alike; Amity Court, Bull Hill (01726) 832335); Castledore Rowing Club, Golant; Fowey Cruising School, Fore

Street, Tel. (01726) 832129 Fax: (01726) 83200.

Refuse

A refuse skip, placed on a float is situated on a mooring close to the North shore at the head of Pont Pill. The refuse skip is for the exclusive use of yachtsmen and should be used in preference to landing rubbish ashore. Please help keep Fowey Harbour tidy. During summer months refuse collection service is provided.

LOOE

East Looe and West Looe stand on either side of a tidal river, together forming one of south-east Cornwall's major tourist centres. One of the resort's outstanding attractions is a fine land-locked harbour formed by two rivers which unite just above the town, and there is an equally fine seven-arched bridge spanning the river and uniting the two communities.

The harbour entrance is picked out by the distinctive banjo-shaped pier. The harbour itself is a drying one, and primarily caters for a fishing fleet of 35 boats and pleasure craft. Looe is also notable for its dinghy sailing, the

sailing club having hosted a series of national championships, and for its shark fishing. The Shark Angling Club of Great Britain has its headquarters here.

For small craft of up to 16ft the river is navigable at high water for perhaps 2 miles, though the river itself runs almost to Liskeard 9 miles to the north. For larger boats, the bridge provides an effective stop.

The town is well provisioned with shops and facilities, but no great provision is made for the visiting yachtsman.

Harbour Characteristics

Landlocked, drying harbour, largely used by fishing boats and other commercial craft and by pleasure craft. Looe Island - also known as St. George's Island - lies 300 metres from the harbour entrance, but approach and entry remain uncomplicated.

Visitors Moorings

Quayside berth on port-hand side, marked yellow, can cater for small boats further upriver. Commercial activities preclude anchorage in harbour middle. Harbour Commissioners: (01503) 262839 or, in emergency, VHF via Coastguard.

Pilotage

Rocks to port side of harbour entrance and to west side of beaches are marked; flashing light at night. Nailzee Rock, close under cliffs, submerged at high tide, also marked.

Sailing Clubs/Recreation Centres

Looe Sailing Club, Buller Street, Tel: (01503) 262559.

TORPOINT

Torpoint Marina stands just inside the western bank of the River Tamar, facing Plymouth's great naval dockyard. Although not a holiday resort, its situation makes it a natural centre for sailing as well as for sea and river angling.

The town itself has no harbour as such, but in recent years the 200-year-old Ballast Pound, a scheduled ancient monument, has been developed into a yachting harbour capable of accommodating up to 100 craft.

The Ballast Pound is a square tidal harbour on the foreshore, 3 miles from the breakwater. Built by the Navy Board in 1784 as a shelter for ballast barges which served the sailing ships of that day, it consists of four 240ft walls enclosing 1.25 acres of water. Access to the river can be gained at every tide through a 35ft entrance on the seaward side. The River Tamar itself is navigable well past the ancient town of Saltash where the twin Tamar and Royal Albert Bridges span the river between Cornwall and Devon. Just beyond the town the St. Germans (or Lynher) River branches off west to St. Germans, Cornwall's ecclesiastical capital, offering a further 5 miles of creeks and tributaries. Outside the breakwater, there are anchorages off Kingsand and Cawsand for those not wanting to venture upriver.

Harbour Characteristics

Ballast Pound is well sheltered and the channel has been dredged to 6ft below chart datum and is accessible at all states of the tide.

Visitors' Moorings

Pontoon moorings on deep water are available as well as quayside moorings for vessels able to take ground (telephone (01752) 813658).

Pilotage

Normal charter pilotage from Plymouth breakwater, through the narrows, to west bank of River Tamar, Ballast Pound quarter of a mile downstream from chain ferry. Bearing 310oT from Battery Buoy in the narrows.

SERVICES

 

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