Cornwall'98 Waterside Guide

Harbours of the South

PORTHLEVEN

Porthleven is an old fishing harbour situated in Mount's Bay, halfway between Penzance and Lizard Point. It can be visited in fair weather by bilge keel yachts or other vessels prepared to take ground, but even at the best of times approach and entrance require care. Visiting boats should not cut close to the pier or the rocks opposite, but keep to the safe channel midway.

The outer harbour is exposed to south-west and west winds and swells. When strong winds are blowing from SE to WSW, or if such winds of Force 7/8 are forecast, or if there is a heavy swell running, the inner harbour entrance may be closed by large timber baulks lowered between the inner breakwaters. The outer harbour is not a safe anchorage, and so Porthleven harbour is effectively closed at these times. In doubtful weather, always ascertain if the harbour is open by contacting the Falmouth Coastguard on VHF Channel 16.

Closure is signalled by hoisting a red ball on the flagstaff near the prominent clock tower. By night, the fixed green leading lights are OFF when the harbour is closed.

Harbour Characteristics

A small drying harbour. The outer harbour is open to the weather and swell: the buoys are fishing marks and should not be taken as moorings. There are two metres of water just inside the inner harbour at half-tide, although the harbour is shallower at the northern end.

Visitors Moorings

Visiting yachts are recommended to come alongside the Quay on eastern side by the Harbour Hotel (there are ladders). Mooring available alongside the wall.(subject to length) Contact Harbourmaster on (01326) 574270 (office) or 563472 (home).

Pilotage

Porthleven is to the north of the long, sandy beach of Loe Bar. On approach keep offshore and out of shallow water until harbour entrance can be picked up by the conspicuous clock tower and vessel is in a position to make an entry.

There are shelves of rock on either side of the harbour entrance and the swell becomes more uncomfortable in the shallower water near the entrance (in rough weather, the surf can break right across). An accurate entry is therefore required, parallel to pier in mid channel. By night the leading marks are the two fixed green lights, the outer light to be left close by to starboard to pass inside the pier. Do not moor alongside the pier or wall of the outer harbour as the foundations are fringed with rocks that dry at low water.

SERVICES

FALMOUTH

Falmouth is not as old as many of Cornwall's towns and it was not until Sir

Walter Raleigh put into the Fal on his return from New Guinea that the expanse of sheltered water in the Carrick Roads became known outside the local area. Before this time it had been used by local fishing boats and, of course, by pirates and smugglers, who knew well the advantages of such a sheltered anchorage.

Truro, 11 miles up the river Fal, and Penryn were both flourishing ports and the proposals for the development of a new port at the mouth of the river were wholly opposed by both towns. However, the objections were overruled and by 1670 the new town of Falmouth had a quay and a rapidly growing maritime trade. In 1688 Falmouth was selected as a Mail Packet Station carrying mail to and from London and the rest of the world.

The port also became popular as the first and last port of call for the big sailing ships of the grain trade and it was only the advent of steamships that stopped Falmouth from growing to be the most important port on the south coast. When at last Falmouth was linked to London and the rest of the country by rail, in 1863, the mail trade had already moved to Southampton and the port of Falmouth was in decline.

By fortuitous chance this decline coincided with the beginning of the holiday travel business and Falmouth, with its striking scenery and mild climate, rapidly became a major centre for tourism, which it has held to this day. The town itself if split into two, with the harbour and town centre on the north side and the beach resort, with hotels, guesthouses and gardens to the south. The long main street of the town runs parallel with the water, and stepped alleys run down to the river giving glimpses of the estuary and the boats. The Maritime Museum is well worth a visit and it features boats moored alongside as well as a land based museum concentrating on the seafaring history of the town. Another historic building of interest is Pendennis Castle, built by Henry VIII as part of the south coast defences to resist invasion by the French. It is now owned by English Heritage and is immaculately preserved.

HARBOURS OF THE CARRICK ROADS

THE FAL ESTUARY is the third largest natural harbour in the world and the area known as the Carrick Roads extends 4 miles from Black Rock to Turnaware Point with nowhere being less than 1 mile wide. Its wide expanse of sheltered water is accessible in all weathers and at all states of the tide.

The famous Helford River is close by, and the many miles of beautiful waters within the estuary provide enjoyable sailing even when there is a full gale in the English Channel.

The shoreline of the Fal Estuary is broken by creeks and inlets, the exploration of which can be vastly rewarding. But, although the presence of boats at moorings often indicates the channels, those with deep-draft boats would be wise to make their first visit on a flood tide.

There is an 8 knot speed limit in force within the Penryn River, Falmouth Inner Harbour (i.e. all that area west of the docks) and north of Turnaware Bar. There is a 5 knot speed limit in force within the Percuil River and St. Mawes, St. Just Creek, Mylor Creek and Restronguet Creek.

Take care to avoid anchorage or grounding on the oyster beds, which cover a considerable area and are marked with withies.

Harbour Characteristics - FALMOUTH

Beyond Black Rock, which lies slightly to the west of centre of the harbour entrance and is well marked, there are few hazards. Keep an eye open for vessels using the docks, on the port side.

Visitors' Moorings

Visitors' Yacht Haven (172 metres of floating pontoons situated at North Quay): space for about 50 boats of up to 12 metres (40 ft) and up to 1.8 metres draught (6ft). Contact Falmouth Harbour Commissioners: (01326)

312285/314379). VHF radio: Channels 16 and 12.

Deep water moorings: Space for half a dozen moorings exclusively for the use of visitors, the largest of which is capable of taking yachts or other vessels up to 100 ft in length. These moorings are marked by green buoys and are situated nearest the Falmouth side of the main channel between Greenbank Quay and Prince of Wales Pier. These moorings allocated on arrival by contacting the Harbour Patrol or Harbour Office.

Falmouth Yacht Marina (pontoons): Proportion of 230 berths reserved for visitors. Up to 70ft; 10ft draught. Off North Parade, Falmouth. Contact Falmouth Yacht Marina. VHF channel 37 (m). Boat Park (ashore): Grove Place, a boat park where small boats may be launched , recovered and stowed ashore. Contact Falmouth Commissioners Tel: (01326)

312285/314379.

Pilotage

Only navigational problem is the Black Rock virtually in the middle of the Fal Estuary entrance. It is marked by a black conical beacon topped by two spheres, erected on the rock. Though the beacon is unlit, the nearby Black Rock Buoy is lit and should be left to port when entering the harbour.

Falmouth Harbour is easily entered at night. Whilst it is possible to navigate in the Carrick Roads at night, the visiting yachtsman would be well advised not to proceed beyond Mylor because of the absence of navigational lights and the presence of large mooring buoys.

SERVICES

PENRYN

At HALF-TIDE, it is possible to follow the Penryn River as far as the ancient town of Penryn. Town Quay is extensively used by fishing boats and it is wise to have a word with the Harbourmaster, whose office is on the quay, if you come alongside. Harbour Office telephone: (01326) 373352 (if no reply phone Truro Harbourmaster on 01872 72130).

SERVICES

MYLOR

Mylor Yacht Harbour was for many years the smallest Royal Navy dockyard in the country. There are impressive facilities, including a well-stocked chandlery, a fuelling berth, boat hoist and cranes, workshops and a visitors' pontoon.

SERVICES

MALPAS & TRURO

Vessels may anchor outside the navigable channel, and may lay alongside Town Quay, Truro outside the Harbourmaster's Office 01872 72130. The Harbour Office also monitors Channel 12 VHF (call sign Carrick One). There are a number of deepwater fore and aft yacht moorings for large yachts 40 100 feet LOA in addition to the visitors moorings at Malpas. For those wishing to anchor, please remember to keep clear of the channels and fairways, and show anchor lights and/or shapes. Good anchorages can be found at Channels Creek, (although you may have to move if a laid up vessel is entering the port) Kea Rach, Coombe Creek and Tolverne

SERVICES

HELFORD RIVER

STRAIGHTFORWARD approach, the only danger being a reef to the north of the entrance known as August Rock, or The Gedges. It is marked by a green conical buoy (Fl.G.5s). Further upriver, the channel to Gweek looks formidable but in fact is well marked with port and starboard-hand top marks.

SERVICES

ST. MAWES

A WIDE ENTRANCE, the only hazard being Lugo Rock which is always covered and is marked by a South Cardinal buoy. No boats to lay alongside quay steps except for embarkation and disembarkation. Visitors' moorings by arrangement with Freshwater Boatyard (01326) 270443, St. Mawes Sailing Club (01326) 270686 and Percuil Boatyard (01872) 580564. Harbour Office (01326) 270553.

SERVICES

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