Cornwall'98 Waterside Guide

Harbours of the Far West

ST. IVES

The fortunes of St. Ives, one of Cornwall's most popular holiday resorts have, over the centuries been inextricably tied to its harbour. It was from St. Ives that boats carried hard-won tin to the burgeoning industrial centres, and it was from here that one of Cornwall's great fishing fleets set sail. Today, the harbour remains very much the focal point of the town.

The town is unquestionably worth a visit and offers the visitor cruising along the north Cornwall coast an incomparable range of shops and services. The old town, built around the harbour, is a maze of cobbled streets and alleyways and jumbled granite cottages spilling to the water's edge. The Tate Gallery overlooking Porthmeor Beach, just 5 minutes walk away from the harbour, should not be missed.

Harbour Characteristics

A drying out harbour, like Padstow's with a sandy bottom. Few problems of approach or entry. Remains primarily a working harbour, and the quays are in constant use by fishing boats and pleasure craft.

Visitors' Moorings

Half-dozen within harbour; small number of others available. Contact

Harbourmaster Tel: (01736) 795018; VHF Channel 16.

Pilotage

Only hazard is the inappropriately-named New Pier, an old wooden pier SW of Smeaton's Pier which is submerged except at low-water. Marked at end by green conical buoy.

SERVICES

PENZANCE

Penzance is much more of a leisure harbour than Newlyn, and from May until September is invariably busy. The town is a holiday centre and as much a market town as a port, so there is a wide range of shops.

The whole of Mount's Bay provides ideal sailing conditions although there is a tendency for the wind to fade during the evening.

The South Pier of Penzance harbour is the normal berth for the Scillonian, the Isles of Scilly ferry, although this berth is normally occupied only between 1830 and 0930 the following morning on Mondays to Fridays, and additionally between 1130 and 1400 on summer Saturdays and all day on Sundays. At other times, this pier may be used by vessels waiting to enter the wet dock.

It should be noted that during periods of bad weather, particularly south-easterly gales, the South Pier is swept by seas at high water. On such occasions the ferry will normally berth at the inner end of the Albert Pier.

Harbour Characteristics

The harbour consists of a wet dock in which craft drawing up to 4.5m can lie afloat, and there is a drying harbour alongside. Approach and entry are straightforward.

The dock gates are open every tide from two hours before high water until one hour after high water. Two red lights displayed vertically on the signal mast on the north side of the dock gate indicate that the gate is open, a red light over a green light indicates that the gate is closed.

Visitors' Moorings

All available moorings in the outer harbour are normally used by local craft and visiting vessels normally lie alongside in the security of the wet dock where 50 berths are made available.

The port maintains VHF watch on Channel 16 and 12 from HW-2 until HW + 1 daily and from 0900 to 1200 hrs and 1300 to 1600 hrs every weekday. Harbour Office telephone (01736) 66113 Fax: 01736 66114.

Anchorages

There is a fair-weather anchorage for small craft 500ft to the east-north-east of the end of the Albert Pier. Craft using it must ensure they do not obstruct fairway into the harbour or wet dock.

SERVICES

NEWLYN

Newlyn, although very much a working harbour, is a convenient choice for overnight stay for boats en route to the Isles of Scilly or across the English Channel to Brittany. It is well used by Cornish yachtsmen, because it is accessible at all states of the tide.

Up to 150 boats fish out of Newlyn, making it the largest fishing port in England, and it is as well to bear this fact in mind.

Visitors, although welcome for overnights stays, will not entirely be able to escape the bustle and atmosphere of those landing fish. As it is, visiting boats normally tie up on the western side of the jetty in the centre of the harbour.

The town itself, adjoining Penzance, is well placed for visiting the Land's End peninsula.

Harbour Characteristics

The harbour is formed by the long arm of the busy North Pier, which adjoins the fish market, and at 90 degrees to it the South Pier. Entrance between the two is 150ft wide.

Visitors' Moorings

Overnight only. No moorings provided: up to 30 boats can tie up alongside the fishing boats. Harbourmaster can be contacted by telephone on (01736) 62523 VHF Channel 16, working Channel 12.

Pilotage

Approach and access straightforward, 10ft at low water springs.

SERVICES

ISLES OF SCILLY - ST. MARY'S

The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago of 140 islands within a seven mile radius. Clear water flows over sand flats and granite ledges, long beaches link channels and bays. Anchorages are varied and plentiful. In settled summer weather a variety of craft are available for charter to enjoy this cruising paradise.

St Mary's Harbour is the maritime working centre of the Isles of Scilly and is the arrival point of the daily ferry from Penzance. The Scillonian III arrives at mid-day Monday to Friday and 13.30 on Saturdays through the summer. The quay is also used for local moorings, but visitors may moor in the area to the east of the lifeboat and lifeboat slip where there are 39 moorings available.

Harbour Characteristics

The harbour is formed by the granite quay which extends from the Old Quay to Rat Island and beyond. The harbour is property of the Duchy of Cornwall and all vessels are subject to Harbour Dues. The Harbourmaster has an office on the quay and can be contacted on 01720 422768 or by the callsign St. Mary's Harbour on Channel 16 (working channel 14) on VHF.

Pilotage

Contact the local pilot, John Nicholls on 01720 422066 or mobile 01831 210266.

SERVICES

 

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