For Port Information and a guide to Port Entry please click here.

The main defined deep water channels are in constant use by large deep draught ships that cannot deviate from their course. Yachtsmen are advised to keep well clear of the main channels whenever possible and use the recommended small craft routes at either side. When the main channel has to be crossed, this should be done at right angles to the channel. Always avoid crossing the bows of oncoming commercial traffic

Large ships have very reduced visibility for quite a distance ahead. This applies particularly to in-bound vessels which arrive in ballast and high in the water, further reducing the visibility of the area immediately around the vessel.

You may be able to see her clearly, but can she see you?!

A ship slowing down does not steer very well, it needs the propeller action on the rudder to respond. When ship's engines are put "astern", steering way will be lost. Remember, it can take up to 3 minutes before a ship to come to a halt in the water after the engines have been put astern.

Top of Page

Advice on ships' movements

All ships over 37.5 metres entering the harbour take on board a harbour pilot 1 to 2 miles off the port entrance. The pilot cutter will normally precede the vessel into the harbour. Whilst all ships are required to have a pilot on board, he is not in command of the vessel, that responsibility always remains with the Captain of the vessel. The pilot is there to advise the Captain so that the ship navigates safely into the harbour.

Most ships are well found and all their equipment functions correctly however failures and malfunctions in equipment can happen at any time. Skippers of leisure craft must always be alert, always giving ships a wide berth and clear passage as they follow the main ship channel shown on the chart.

Remember that, due to the nature of the port's trade, ships will enter in ballast and high out of the water. This drastically reduces the visibility from the ship and affects the manoeuvring characteristics.

Ships under 90 metres length normally proceed directly to the jetty areas North of Bodinnick ferry unless mooring to the commercial buoys in the lower harbour. Ships over 90 metres length use on tug to turn around in the Swing Ground area. The vessel is then towed stern first to the allocated berth, dragging its anchor. Ships of 100 metres or more use 2 tugs for this operation. The tugs will stand by off the harbour entrance, running alongside the vessel to make fast the tow ropes off Whitehouse Pier. The ship is then turned around in the Swing Ground area and towed stern first to the loading berth.

All small craft must keep well clear of this operation and give wide berth to ships being towed

Top of Page

Departing & escorted vessels

Ships leaving the harbour normally proceed directly from their loading berth to sea. Fully laden vessels, often with a draught of up to 9 metres, have considerably increased stopping distances. It is essential to give the vessel clear passage ahead. Vessels will need to follow a track as near to the centre of the main shipping channel as possible. The pilot will disembark once the vessel is clear of the harbour entrance to a pilot cutter which will be in close attendance.

During peak periods of activity, special events, yacht races and poor visibility, ships are escorted by Harbour Patrol craft to ensure that a safe passage is maintained. All craft must comply with the Patrol instructions

Top of Page

Port entry

The Harbour entrance lies between St Catherine's Castle on the West side and a white cross on Punches Cross rock on the East side. The entrance is only one cable wide at its narrowest point.

The Harbour is entered on a Northerly course through the entrance and then North Easterly to the Swing Ground area off the Town Quay. At night keep in the white sector of the Whitehouse light until abeam of Polruan Castle (see B.A.. chart No.31). The majority of visitor's mooring facilities are situated on the East side of the Harbour, opposite the Town Quay and at the entrance to Pont Pill

Information on entering the Port can be obtained from Fowey Harbour Radio or Fowey Harbour Patrol on VHF Channel 12. Advice on commercial movements is available from Fowey Harbour Radio or Fowey Pilots on VHF Channel 9.

Top of Page

Facilities for Visiting Craft

Fowey welcomes visitors at any time of the year and has a range of facilities available to assist you enjoy your stay

:Yacht clubs

The Royal Fowey Yacht Club on the Fowey shore, 100 metres south of the Town Quay, welcomes visiting yachtsmen to use the club's facilities - including showers. Meals are normally available by arrangement

The Fowey Gallants Sailing Club, 100 metres north of Albert Quay, welcome visiting yachtsmen to use the club's facilities. Showers and meals are also available.

Back up to the Facilities Menu

Top of Page

Visitor's moorings

Visiting craft are well catered for with a number of facilities located close to the town. There are 4 floating visitor pontoons, 2 are at the entrance to Pont Pill, 1 opposite Albert Quay and the other in Mixtow Creek opposite the commercial jetties - the western section of this pontoon is reserved for visitors.

Adjacent to the pontoons in Pont are a number of fore and aft moorings, suitable for vessels left unattended or weather bound. On the east side of the harbour, inside the swing buoy and adjacent to the underhills pontoon, are a number of visitor swinging moorings, suitable for craft up to 13 metres in length.

All Fowey Harbour Commissioner's moorings are marked "FHC Visitors" and are coloured white or yellow.

There are 3 short stay landing pontoons - a maximum of 2 hours, for all craft over 4.5 metres. 1 is situated at Albert Quay, 1 at Berrill's yard on the Fowey shore and the other at Polruan Quay.

Please familiarise yourself with the regulations regarding the Use of  the Short Stay Landing Pontoons.

A Water Taxi operates between May and September on VHF Channel 6.

Back up to the Facilities Menu

R.N.S.A. mooring

The Royal Naval Sailing Association has a mooring facility in the harbour for its members' use. The mooring is in position off the entrance to Pont Pill.

Back up to the Facilities Menu

Top of Page

Fresh water

Fresh water is available from the short stay pontoons at Albert Quay and Berrill's Yard.

Back up to the Facilities Menu

Ice & Fresh Fish

Local fishmonger's, Fowey Fish, in Fore Street sell fresh fish and supplies of freshly made ice. From the mooring at Albert Quay, just walk across the Pay & Display car park and turn left into Fore Street, Fowey Fish is on the right-hand side. Before you arrive in Fowey, you can contact them through their website : www.foweyfish.com. Or you may be interested in their Mail-order service.

Back up to the Facilities Menu

Diesel and Petrol

Supplies of Diesel (only) can be obtained from the Toms & Sons Boat Yard on the East bank of the Fowey Estuary by Polruan. For further Information please call (01726) 870232.
The nearest garage for sales of Petrol is Four Turnings Garage, just outside Fowey on the A3082 road to St Austell, about 1 mile from the port.

Back up to the Facilities Menu

WiFi Wireless Internet Access

You can now enjoy wireless Internet access on most of the visitor berths in the lower harbour.

Simply detect and connect to the Fowey Harbour wireless network and select an option from the pricing plan (e.g. per hour/day/week). Enter your payment details through the secure page and start browsing!

If you have a technical support question, please call the WiFi Spark support team on 0845 838 5340

Available 8am - 6pm, 7 days a week or view their website at www.wifispark.com

For general enquiries please contact the Harbour Office.

Back up to the Facilities Menu

Drying out

Craft wishing to dry out for any reason should contact the Harbour Master's office for local restrictions.

Back up to the Facilities Menu

Top of Page

Diving services

Diving services are available in Fowey. A diving permit must be obtained from the Harbour Master before any underwater activities can proceed. All H.S.E. diving regulations must be complied with.

Back up to the Facilities Menu

Harbour Patrol

The Fowey Harbour Commissioners maintain a regular patrol of the harbour throughout the year. from April to October, a patrol is maintained from 0800 hours to the hour of darkness, maintaining a VHF listening watch on VHF Channel 12.

The patrol staff are pleased to offer assistance and advice on the facilities provided to all local and visiting yachtsmen, ensuring that their stay in the port is as trouble free and enjoyable as possible.

Back up to the Facilities Menu

Fowey Water Taxi

A water taxi is available in the harbour throughout the day and can pick up and drop off up to Wiseman's Creek. For   more information please contact the water taxi on VHF Channel 06 or by phone on 07774 906730.

Back up to Facilities Menu

Boatyards & Sailmakers

There are a number of boatyards in and around Fowey offering the usual boatyard skills and expertise in metal, GRP, wood and sail-making.

Back up to the Facilities Menu

Top of Page

Refuse, oily water and sewage

A refuse skip is placed on a floating pontoon, close to the north shore at the entrance to Pont Pill. This skip is for exclusive use of yachtsmen and should be used in preference to landing rubbish ashore.

There are also smaller refuse facilities at Albert Quay & Berrill's Yard pontoons. A wheelie bin is situated at Golant for waste from yachts.

During busy periods, a rubbish collection service is provided for visiting craft by the Commissioner's staff. Fowey Harbour Commissioners provide free of charge large plastic bags for use in disposal of waste material (ask harbour patrol or the Harbour Office)

Also situated at Berrill's Yard pontoon is a sewage pumpout facility. This service is provided by the Commissioners free of charge. Tokens are required for operation, they are available either from the afloat harbour patrol or from the Harbour Office.

Waste oily water receptacle is available at Berrill's Yard Pontoon. A reception facility for waste oil also exists at the Harbour Commission's repair facility at Brazen Island by arrangement for the disposal of larger volumes.

Old batteries may also be disposed by arrangement with the Harbour Office.

Glass recycling is available at Berrill's Yard Pontoon in the bank provided.

It is a serious offence to discharge oil and / or refuse into the harbour or sea. Please help to keep Fowey Harbour tidy ! Make sure that all rubbish is bagged and disposed of in the correct manner at the facilities provided.

Back up to the Facilities Menu

Visual & Sound signals

A table of conventional and local signals :

Back up to the Facilities Menu

Top of Page

Tide heights

There is normally 0.6 metres above Chart Datum at all times. The mean Spring Range is in the region of 5.0 metres whilst the Mean Neap Range is approximately 2.0 metres.

Diagram to show changes in Chart Datum in the River Fowey

The river Fowey is dredged to at least 7 metres in the main channel at MLWS from the harbour mouth to the commercial berths at Mixtow. The upper reaches of the river beyond Wiseman's Reach are tidal and, apart from the meandering stream, dries at low water. (for details of tidal stream, see Admiralty Chart BA31)

For shallow draft vessels and the appropriate tidal conditions, the river is navigable all the way to Lerryn and Lostwithiel. Local knowledge is, however, recommended in the upper reaches as the channel remains unmarked.

Caution :The height of tide may be affected by meteorological conditions. Winds from the southerly direction and with a low barometric pressure increase, while northerly winds accompanied by a high barometric pressure will tend to decrease the height of the tide.

Back up to the Facilities Menu

Top of Page

Navigating in restricted visibility

When navigating in restricted visibility, remember :

• Keep a good look out by sight, hearing and all other available means.
• Maintain continuous listening watch on the Port Working Channel 12.
• Small craft may not be detected by radar due to their construction, size and the prevailing weather conditions. Additionally, small craft will not be detected when in close proximity to commercial ships due to the height of the ship's radar scanner.
• If possible, keep clear of the main shipping channel
• Sound the appropriate fog signal
• Comply with Rule 19 and Rule 35 - conduct of vessels in restricted visibility in the Merchant Shipping Collision Regulation 1996

Top of Page

VHF Radio Channels

Top of Page

Remember !

• Avoid ship channels
• Cross them quickly and at right angles
• Always keep a good lookout, especially astern
• Be alert
• Watch for commercial traffic and keep clear
• Be visible. Make sure that you are seen, especially at night.
• Know whistle signals- 5 or more rapid blasts mean "Wake up" - Keep Clear
• Fowey Harbour Radio and Fowey Harbour Patrol working channel is on VHF Channel 12.
• Fowey Pilots operate on Channel 9
• Always comply with IMO Regulation for the Prevention of Collision at Sea and comply with instructions given by Harbour Patrol craft.
• The maximum speed in the harbour is 6 knots, avoid creating excessive wash.

Top of Page

Useful Phone numbers

Click here for Contact Details page

Top of Page

Regulations

The Captain of every vessel navigating in the Harbour shall observe and obey the Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collision) Regulations 1996 and the Fowey Harbour (General) Byelaws (Revised 1996) with special attention to :

International Rules

• Rule 5 Lookout - Every vessel shall at all times maintain proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the prevailing conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situations and the risk of collision
• Rule 9 (b) 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.
• Rule 9 (d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such a channel or fairway
• Rule 18 (b) (1) A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre
• Rule 18 (d) (1) Any vessel, other than a vessel not under command or a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draught.

Fowey Harbour Byelaws

• Rule 5 The master of any vessel shall navigate with such care and caution and at such speed and manner as not to endanger the lives of or cause injury or discomfort to persons or damage any property
• Rule 6 The Master of any vessel exceeding 30.48 metres overall length shall not navigate his vessel North of a line between Prime Cellars and Pottery Corner without the express permission of the Harbour Master
• Rule 7 No vessel shall be navigated at a speed exceeding six knots (6 knots) over the ground without the express permission of th Harbour Master
• Rule 8 The Master of a vessel shall at all times, except when impracticable to do otherwise, give a wide berth of all dredgers, hoppers, tugs and surveying craft and shall navigate a dead slow speed when passing dredgers or diving boats.
• Rule 13 Obstruction of the Bodinnick Ferry prohibited. The Master of a vessel shall not navigate, manoeuvre, place, moor, or anchor it so as to obstruct or impede the operation of the Bodinnick Ferry which normally plies between Caffa Mill and Bodinnick. Note Ferry listening on VHF Channel 12 & 9
• Rule 30 No vessel shall be anchored so as to obstruct the main fairway, the Swing Grounds off Pont or Mixtow or the approaches to any landing quays or slipways except in an emergency or with permission of the Harbour Master.

Official Publications - for complete Fowey Harbour Byelaws 1996

Top of Page

R N L I

The Port of Fowey is home to an active RNLI lifeboat station which boats two lifeboats - an offshore Trent Class lifeboat, "MAURICE AND JOYCE HARDY", and an inshore D-Class lifeboat, "OLIVE HERBERT".  Manned almost entirely by volunteers - the station Coxswain, Keith Stewart is the only paid member of staff - the boats are on call 24 hours a day all year round

Call outs are wide and varied - in past years, the crew spent 22 hours searching for a missing fisherman, hours later they were called to tow in a local fishing boat that was taking on water.  In a busy season, they were also called on to assist broken down vessels, families trapped by the surf and a team of divers whose support vessel suffered engine failure.

The purpose-built lifeboat house is situated on the waters edge at Berrill's yard is where the Trent Class lifeboat lies alongside a pontoon.  The D-Class is kept in the boat house, next door to the RNLI souvenir shop and is on public display most days.  She is launched using a trailer to get across the main road which runs through the town, before being winched down to the beach or water below the quay.  Visitors are always welcome to call in at the shop for news of the latest call outs, fund raising activities or open days

Contact Details

Top of Page