A guide to the use of Falmouth harbour is useful to all users of boats. Other authorities in the area also have guides readily available to sailors.

Falmouth is a busy port and commercial shipping movements are common in the Bay, Carrick Roads and approaches to Falmouth Docks. Please ensure that you remain well clear of these movements which may have tugs in attendance.

Sailing races/regattas.

Organised sailing races are common at weekends and during some weekday evenings in the Summer. Please give these events a wide berth and be prepared for the craft involved to make unexpected alterations of course Diving.

Diving is popular in Falmouth bay and Carrick Roads and may occur in other parts of the harbour. Please make sure that you are familiar with the signals displayed by craft attending divers, keep well clear and pass at a slow speed. Popular diving areas are shown by but divers may be encountered anywhere within the harbour area.

Water-skiing.

There is a marked water-ski area in the Carrick Roads. Transiting vessels should keep well clear of water-skiers using this area even if there is no water-skiing going on at the time.

Bathing.

There are protected bathing areas at Swanpool and Gyllyngvase beaches marked by buoys. Vessels navigating within this area should do so at slow speed and keep a sharp lookout for bathers.

Speed limits and wash.

There is a mandatory speed limit of 8 knots within the Penryn River. The zone is marked by yellow buoys displaying the limit. Persons in charge of vessels exceeding this limit are liable to be prosecuted. Ensure that your wash is not adversely affecting other vessels even if you are navigating within the speed limit.

Mooring areas.

Navigation is generally prohibited in mooring areas. Keep speed to a minimum when navigating in close proximity of other vessels. At anchor or at moorings to keep a sharp lookout for tenders.

Personal watercraft.

Personal may operate in the Water Sports Area in Falmouth bay or in a special area within the Carrick roads designated by the Truro harbour master. Permit schemes are in operation for personal watercraft using these areas.

Byelaws and rules of the road.

Vessels to navigate with care.

The master shall navigate his vessel with such care and caution and at such speed and in such manner as not to; 1 Endanger lives of cause injury to person.

2 Interfere with the navigation, manoeuvring, loading or discharging of vessels.

3 Cause damage to, or interference with, banks, moorings or other property.

Speed of vessels.

4 Except with the permission of the harbour master, and subject to the byelaw above and the Collision Regulations, the master of a vessel shall not cause or permit the vessel to proceed at a speed greater than 8 knots through the water in the specified part of the Harbour.

5 In this byelaw "the specified part of the Harbour" means so much of the Harbour as lies west of an imaginary straight line drawn from the light on the Northern Arm of Falmouth Docks Basin to Trefusis point, which line is shown by a broken black line on the annexed map.

Navigation in moorings areas.

6 The master of a vessel shall not navigate in the moorings areas except to such extent as may be necessary to navigate to or from a mooring or a landing place inside such areas.

7 The master of any vessel shall navigate it with care and caution and at a slow speed in and near such areas.

Narrow channels.

A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.

4:36pm Friday 14th July 2006

Related Links

http://www.falmouthport.co.uk

Print   Email this