The Fal Estuary
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Area
Ferries and Fal River Links
The Fal Estuary
Information used is kindly supplied by Carrick Maritime Section and Falmouth Harbour Commissioners.
The Fal Estuary is a drowned river or 'ria'. The deep water channel which winds its way upstream to Truro dates back to the last Ice Age when the sea level was much lower than the present. It is the third largest natural harbour in the world and the area known as Carrick Roads extends four miles from Black Rock to Turnaware Point with nowhere being less than one mile wide.
The nautical history of the area dates back many hundreds of years and a trip to Falmouth Maritime Museum or the Royal Cornwall Museum at Truro is well worth a visit. Many generations of sailors have visited the shores of the Fal, and even today traditional oyster sail boats can be seen working the river alongside the most electronically sophisticated oil rigs laid up in the Roads. Falmouth is renowned for its association with the Packet Ships. Penryn was once a bustling port dating back to the 14th Century handling cargoes of granite, tin and coal, whilst Truro at the head of the River Fal has been a port in its right since 1170, and even today continues to attract coastal vessels up to 85m in length right up to the City.
The Fal continues to be a busy seaport with a thriving ship repair yard, bunkering facilities, cargo handling and yacht building at Falmouth Docks. There are small shipbuilding facilities at Ponsharden, commercial wharves at Truro and tucked away in the King Harry reach you will be able to see a number of laid up ocean vessels, ranging from gas carriers to car carriers, private yachts to ferries, and drill ships to trawlers. A whole range of riggers, sail makers, yacht chandlers, marine engineers, marine electronics and other back-up services can be found around the area. There are regular trips around the estuary on pleasure boats from the Prince of Wales Pier, Custom House Quay and St. Mawes Harbour along with large numbers of pleasure yachts using the estuary as a base, or as a stop-over point prior to hopping across the channel.
Falmouth
Falmouth is an attractive and interesting town to visit, with a fascinating maritime history, a charming and comprehensive shopping area and a choice of excellent restaurants, pubs and cafes. It is the ideal point from which to explore the unique and picturesque County of Cornwall.
A wide range of local accommodation, from farmhouse B&B to luxurious country hotels - not to mention superb camping and self catering facilities - guarantees that all needs - business or leisure - will be met. Incidentally, many of Falmouth's hotels offer conference facilities and business packages at extremely attractive rates, particularly off season.
The sheltered waters of the South Coast of Cornwall offer some of the best sailing. There are Royal Yacht Association approved schools to cater for every level of proficiency from absolute beginners to advanced level seamanship - an hour's tuition to a skippered holiday afloat, the choice is yours.
Beautiful inland waters provide coarse and game fishing, water skiing, windsurfing and a multitude of other water focused activities. Waterside pubs and restaurants abound and throughout the summer months there are carnivals, festivals, regattas and fairs to delight both sailor and landlubber alike.
Port and Harbour of Falmouth
Falmouth, the principal Port of Cornwall, lies at the mouth of the Fal Estuary on the South West coast. Since 1870 this beautiful port has been under the navigational jurisdiction of the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners and since the de-regulation of pilotage in 1988, the commissioners have also taken on the role of Pilot Authority.
Responsibility for the navigation of vessels and maintenance of all navigational aids - including the maintenance of dredged channels, the buoys and the beacons - ensures the safety of all craft within the Harbour Area or en-route to the Port of Truro or Falmouth Docks. The Leisure Services Department of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners manages and maintains moorings and facilities for all recreational craft, including the Visitors Yacht Haven and its amenities.
The Visitors Yacht Haven
Situated at North Quay in a pleasant, sheltered location close to the shopping and administrative centre of Falmouth. The Yacht Haven is for the use of visiting yachts and consists of 172 metres of floating pontoons which allow approximately 50 yachts to berth alongside. There is sufficient depth of water to allow vessels up to maximum draught of 1.8 metres (6ft) to lie safely afloat.
During the summer season petrol and diesel fuels are available on the barge adjacent to the pontoons.
Fresh Water is available on the pontoons and shower, toilet, launderette and pay phone facilities are located at North Quay within easy reach.
Visitors may seek advice on availability of berths on arrival in port. Should a berth not be available vessels may use a Visitor's Mooring or may anchor within the designated area.
The Yacht Haven will normally be in operation from April until September each year.
Deep Water Moorings
For those who do not wish to use the Yacht Haven the Commissioners have a number of deep water moorings exclusively for the use of visitors, the largest of which is capable of taking yachts or other vessels up to 30.5 metres (100ft) in length.
The visitors buoys are marked 'V' and are found on the outer edge of the Falmouth side mooring areas and are located on arrival by contacting the Harbour Patrol. Vessels may also anchor in the area off Custom House Quay though may be required to move at short notice to facilitate commercial shipping movements to and from Falmouth Docks.
Grove Place Boat Park
The Commissioners also manage a Boat Park where small boats may be launched, recovered and stowed ashore. For details of services offered in the Boat Park and advance bookings for berths, visitors should contact the Harbour Office.
Port of Truro
Town Quay - Worths Quay - Garras Wharf.
The navigable channel is well marked by buoys and beacons all the way to Truro where these quays can be found. Once alongside you are only minutes from the City Centre with its wide range of shops, restaurants, post office, etc. On Town Quay fresh water, garbage facilities, toilet and shower are available and next to the Harbour Office is a conveniently situated Chandlery. For those wishing to stock up on provisions there is a superstore alongside Garras Wharf.
Visitors Moorings/Pontoons
Visitors moorings are available at Malpas, and these buoys are marked V1, V2, etc. There are also visitors pontoons located at Turnaware Bar, Ruan Creek, and Malpas. Charges are made for the use of these facilities and these can be found by contacting the Harbour Office/Patrol. For those wishing to anchor, please remember to keep clear of the channels and fairways, and to show anchor lightsand/or shapes. Good anchorages will be found at Channals Creek (although you may be asked to move if a laid up vessel is entering the port), Kea Reach, Coombe Creek and Tolverne.
Anchoring fees are payable when moored north of Turnaware Bar and in Channals Creek.
There are a number of deep water moorings available off season together with detached deep water pontoon berths.
In the summer months a river patrol, 'Carrick 3' will be on the water monitoring VHF channel 12 and will be happy to assist with any problems you may encounter.
There are also visitor moorings at Portscatho.
Truro River
A three-branch rowing ferry operates between Malpas, Malpas Point and Kea Wood. Enquire locally in Malpas.
Speed Limits
There is an 8 knot speed limit in force within the Penryn River, Falmouth Inner Harbour (i.e. all the 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, Portscatho, St. Just Creek, Restronguet Creek and Mylor Creek.
For further information on ports and harbours, useful telephone numbers, services, etc. please go to Destination Information.
Boat Trips and Ferries on the Fal Estuary
A beautiful water-world with delight at every turn, the Fal Estuary can only be fully appreciated by boat.
For over two thousand years the Fal was the life-blood of the local community, and at different times maritime trade, fishing and ship building flourished. Old wharves and creekside churches and villages contrast with wild, remote areas.
Once Henry VIII had built the twin castles of Pendennis and St. Mawes to guard the estuary mouth, the Fal became the major anchorage at the western approaches to the English Channel.
Today, most trade goes by road, and the waterway is busy with sailing and leisure pursuits. However, Falmouth working boats still dredge for oysters in the traditional way, and Falmouth docks continue to refit ships.
The wildlife of the Fal remains unchangingly governed by the twice-daily ebb and flow tides. All that mud exposed at low water provides rich feeding for shorebirds. Look out especially for herons watching motionless at the water's edge for fish.
The winding character of the Fal is a result of it being a drowned river valley, submerged by a rapid rise in sea level after the last ice age. The main channel is up to 33 metres deep, and even in these cold waters there is abundant life. Out of sight, but just as beautiful, the Fal Estuary's underwater wildlife is of international importance.
If you explore the Fal Estuary by car, you'll only get tantalising glimpses of this special place.
Something for Everyone
There is a wide range of boat trips available.Both the Falmouth Passenger Boat Company and KS Cruises have daily trips from Falmouth around the Fal Estuary. They do not land, but offer refreshments aboard and view many of the highlights of the Fal Estuary.
Two passenger boat companies specialise in cruises to specific destinations: Enterprise boats between Falmouth and Truro or Malpas; and Newman Cruises between Falmouth and Smugglers Cottage, Tolverne. Both offer single or return trips in either direction, and a range of times, enabling some flexibility.
For instance you can combine a scenic ride on the Truro-Falmouth Branch Line with a river cruise with Enterprise Boats the other way. If the tide is low, the boat cannot reach Truro, so a courtesy bus provides a five minute link to Malpas.
Smugglers Cottage was an embarkation point for American Forces during the D-Day landings, and was visited by General Eisenhower. It is now a delightful location for lunch or a cream tea.
St. Mawes
The St. Mawes Ferry takes about 25 minutes, and is a good way to get afloat for a short scenic trip. St. Mawes is a beautifully situated above a south-facing bay, and from medieval times was a busy port and fishing harbour.
Across the Bay to the Helford River
Secluded and unspoilt, the Helford River's tranquillity belies its bucaneering past. Approaching by water, it is easy to see what inspired Daphne du Maurier to set her tale of piracy and smuggling in Frenchman's Creek.
The famed Helford Oysters are, unusually, the Native Oyster, and much loved by gourmets. Because the Helford River is sheltered, its marine wildlife also flourishes with the rich supply of nutrients carried by the tide, The whole river is designated a Voluntary Marine Conservation Area, and the local community are very active in its management.
The cruise across Falmouth Bay provides wonderful views from the sea of Pendennis Castle. Look out for seabirds diving for fish, including cormorants, shags, razorbill and guillemot.
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