MAIN KEY PROTECTING OUR THE RIVER PLYM CODE OF SIX RNLI TIPS FOR East Cardinal Buoy Channels LYNHER SEAGRASS CONDUCT SAFE TRIPS: Anchor age South Cardinal Buoy High speed areas ESTUARY Moorings There are six seagrass beds in The following codes of conduct have been 1) Training: Knowledge of your Nor th Cardinal Buoy Swimming areas The estuary is fringed by valuable Plymouth Sound and Tamar agreed between representatives of the water activity is essential Marina10 SALTASH 10 West Cardinal Buoy Coastal path remnants of semi-natural ancient Estuaries. Growing in sheltered sports involved, the City Boat Master and the Sailing Club 10 2) Wear a lifejacket: A life statement, Seagrass Beds 10 Keep clear, diver below woodland. Its salt marsh together with its shallow locations, seagrass is Queen’s Harbour Master. not a fashion one – wear it 10 ySlipwa 10 10 Main Avocet Beds Seaward boundary of highly productive mudflats provide feeding considered one of the most 10 Small craft may exceed the speed limit for Starboard Hand Buoy 10 10 10 Main roosting sites 10 10 knot speed limit and roosting grounds for wintering wildfowl productive habitats in the 3) SOS device: Carry a means of 10 the purposes of water skiing in the area off Port Hand Buoy and waders. The estuary is particularly calling for help SPA/SAC/SSSI/MCZ Road/rail bridges marine environment and plays Chelson Meadow marked by yellow buoys. valuable for dunlin, curlew, spotted redshank, Starboard Hand protected10 areas 10 Speed limit (knots) an important part in commercial 4) Tides and weather: Check the Beacon grey plover, little egret and avocet. It is fish life cycles, but it is in rapid Sailboards should launch from the East Beach Intertidal area Ferry routes 10 conditions before heading out Port Hand Beacon also a good place to see the main duck decline. Seagrass also harbours several at Saltram and proceed up river to keep clear Anchoring and Fishing 10 5) Engine and fuel check: Have you 10 species of the Plymouth waters; rare British species of fish as well as providing of the water-ski area and return by the same Beacon prohibited sufficient fuel and spares? widgeon, teal, mallard, pintail habitat for the two native species of seahorses. route. and shelduck. 10 All craft not water-skiing should, for their own 6) Inform: Tell others where you are 10 NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION Please avoid damaging seagrass beds: 10 going. 10 „„ Avoid anchoring in known seagrass safety, keep clear of the water-ski area, although 10 the above notice does not give exclusive use to 10 HAMOAZE locations. If completely necessary please Find out more at follow the Green Blue anchoring guidelines. water-skiers. All craft should give a wide berth rnli.org/safety/respect-the-water

HM NAVAL BASE to the narrow rowing shells and avoid creating „„ Avoid travelling over seagrass in shallow The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) 10 a wash in their vicinity. Rowing shells are very waters. and RNLI provide online advice for fragile, have a low freeboard and are most If divers are monitoring these locations please unmanoeuvrable. All craft are to keep clear of safe and responsible diving: LYNHER ST JOHN’S consider the divers’ safety. existing moorings and avoid passing through www.bsac.com rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/ LAKE them unless proceeding to or from those The Community Seagrass Initiative is using scuba-diving The extensive tidal flats of the moorings. RIVER volunteers to monitor these vital locations lake support the greatest number of for health of the habitat. If you feel you can Board sailing is prohibited east of a line estuarine birds in Cornwall. Thousands contribute towards a science programme drawn between the Navigation Light Tower SALTRAM of birds overwinter here. It is notable monitoring these locations visit at Sparrows Quay to the Yacht Haven Marina for its oystercatcher, dunlin, whimbrel, www.csi-seagrass.co.uk hoist up to Laira Bridge. grey plover and shelduck numbers VEHICULAR FERRY FLAGSTAFF Reports of accidents or near misses should be and, in Spring and Autumn, for TORPOINT PORT CONTROL made to Longroom by telephone or VHF. THE GREEN BLUE CODE its migrating terns. CHELSON OF CONDUCT MEADOW PLYMOUTH CITY DEVONPORT Inconsiderate boating can damage the SUTTON CENTRE HARBOUR marine environment. Follow these top MARINA QUEEN ANNE’S LAIRA BRIDGE MAYFLOWER MILLBAY 4 tips to help safeguard our beautiful MOUNT Barbican- BATTERY ST JOHN’S Evenings and weekends only INTERNATIONAL WISE DOCKS Mountbatten MARINA waters: MARINA LAKE KING POINT Passenger MARINA Ferry VICTORIA „„ Never allow rubbish to go overboard THE HOE WHARF Royal LONGROOM William YardPORT CONTROL „„ Do not let oil or fuel spill into the 10 SPARROWS QUAY - Barbican water MARINE ANIMALS Passenger WESTERN CATTEDOWN Ferry MALLARD WHARF FERRY KING „„ Use onshore toilets where possible Dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks DEVILS 10 SHOAL RECREATIONAL CREMYLL THE POINT „„ Keep your distance from wildlife can be seen in Plymouth Sound and NARROWS 8 ANGLING AND FISHING MOUNT attract attention from boat users. BATTEN „„ Choose anchoring sites carefully and However, these creatures are susceptible PERMITS PLYMOUTH avoid areas of Seagrass (shown on YACHT HOOE map) to disturbance. If you are lucky enough to Plymouth’s waterways offer some of HAVEN LAKE see them follow these basic rules: the best sea angling in the country but „„ Use low phosphate, environmentally- DRAKES fishery byelaws are changing quickly. RAVENESS ISLAND friendly products „„ Let them decide what happens Boatyards POINT Keep up to date by visiting the Inshore MILLBROOK „„ Recycle everyday waste „„ Keep your distance and never go THE Fisheries Conservation Authority LAKE BRIDGES closer than 100m PLYMOUTH SOUND AND „„ Safely dispose of waste from websites for Devon & Severn MILLBROOK JENNYCLIFF „ BAY TAMAR ESTUARIES MARINE maintenance e.g. antifoul scrapings. „ Never drive head-on to, or separate, (D&SIFCA), and Cornwall: E PARK groups of animals MB PROTECTED AREA Non-native species www.devonandsevernifca.gov.uk CU 10 It is illegal to deliberately or recklessly www.cornwall-ifca.gov.uk G Plymouth Sound and the Tamar Estuaries Report suspicious species sightings to ED 10 disturb, harass or endanger them. Please T are protected for nature conservation. the Non Native Species Secretariat Potting, netting and diving PICKLECOMBE FERRY - MAY TO SEPTEMBER report any such incidents to the Police N Follow the guidance to avoid disturbing the [email protected], Record lat/ byelaws U POINT h conto stating boat details (type, colour, name O pt ur protected features. e long or grid reference, size of the growth d etc.) or car registration of the towing A permit must be obtained from M and take pictures if possible. Or call the 10 5m vehicle. D&SIFCA before undertaking these EA Environment Agency on 0800 807060 or ST activities: ER FORT Natural England on 0300 060 1112. N BOVISAND JETSKIS „„ Potting: any person using pots to WEMBURY „„ Follow the Check/Clean/Dry C Jetski users have a duty to look out for fish. KINGSAND FORT H BAY campaign advice – before and after „„ Diving: any person diving to remove CONTINENTALL FERRY ROUTE A others and to ensure they ride in a safe E PLYMOUTH BREAKWATER N Wembury Bay, a Voluntary Marine use check all boats and equipment N and responsible manner: crab, lobster or scallops. N

for plant and animal material, clean N Conservation Area, is recognised as CAWSAND E

„„ Netting: any person using nets to A with freshwater and dry as much as „„ Keep clear of the main channels L an area of outstanding marine biological around the Port of Plymouth. catch fish. H importance and is one of the best places in possible. C „„ Comply with the speed limits. Any person wishing to undertake these the UK for marine life. Extensive reefs running „„ Clean the hull and apply suitable N antifoul coating at least annually. „„ Be aware of the main slipways for activities must obtain a permit from the R out from the shore provide partial shelter D&SIFCA. E from the prevailing tide action allowing

„„ Do not move any heavily fouled launching. T

S a wide variety of seaweed and animal „ E structures e.g. pontoons and boats „ Avoid bathing areas, which are clearly Bass angling communities to develop. The rocky cliffs

out of the area or allow fouled marked with yellow buoys during the The bass population is also under W are home to nesting sea birds and infrastructure/boats to be launched. summer season. If passage through a threat and so there are restrictions to oystercatchers can be spotted Always clean before moving and place bathing area is absolutely necessary limit the bass caught by recreational PENLEE POINT around the bay. waste in landfill bins. then craft must not exceed 4 knots, anglers. Since February 2016 tighter For more information go to and must proceed with extreme restrictions have come in which will www.nonnativespecies.org or caution, giving way to swimmers. require all bass caught to be released. www.thegreenblue.org.uk/Boat-Users/ More information can be found at Find out the current restrictions by WEMBURY BAY Antifoul-and-Invasive-Species. www.plymouth.gov.uk/tecfrecreation visiting the IFCA website(s). YARD PORT OF PLYMOUTH 0.5 1 km

Photo credits: Community Seagrass Initiative, Plymouth City Council, Plym Blue Sound Project, Keith Hiscock, Paul Naylor, Naomi Mottram, Sally Sharrock, David Hodder LIMIT OF DOCK 1 nm TAVY AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND NAVIGATION GUIDANCE NOTES MORWELLHAM NORTHERN TAMAR NAVIGATIONAL SAFETY FACTORS TO KEEP IN MIND VHF RADIO CHANNELS THE PORT OF PLYMOUTH PLYMOUTH The deep water navigation channels are Large, deep draught ships cannot easily Yachtsmen are reminded that Channel 16 SAILING ASSOCIATION Boatyard well marked by buoys and lights. They are in avoid small craft in narrow channels. is a DISTRESS, SAFETY and CALLING The Port of Plymouth Sailing Association CALSTOCK WATERWAYS Coteele constant use by the Royal Navy, ferries, large Channel only. Other than for distress it Rule 9 is in force north of Plymouth acts as an ‘umbrella’ organisation for the Hose NT tankers, bulk carriers, fishing vessels and must only be used to establish contact Breakwater; it is up to you to stay clear. twenty sailing clubs on the local waters. It This site is part of the European A guide for small craft other traffic. before going to a recognised channel. Port co-ordinates racing fixtures and provides Natura 2000 Network. It has been operation channels must not be used for Recreational and other small craft users are a forum for discussion of topics of mutual designated because it hosts some of ship to ship communications. advised to: WHAT YOU CAN DO interest particularly in matters involving both Europe’s most threatened species civil and military interests. „„ keep well clear of the main channels or 1. Obey Rule 9 of the Collision The recognised ship to ship channels are 6, and habitats. All countries of the EU www.plymouthsailingassociation.org.uk when having to cross them, to do so as Regulations for conduct in narrow 8, 72 and 77. Port operation channels are as are working together through the

channels. Do follows: Natura 2000 network to safe guard far as is practicable at right angles MOD BOAT WATCH SCHEME „„ not impede the safe passage of the not impede the 11 Tug control Europe’s rich and diverse natural passage of large The Ministry of Defence Marine Police heritage for the benefit of all. Torpoint Ferries 12 Sutton Lock working channel vessels. run a boat registration scheme in order to North of Plymouth Breakwater Rule 9 2. Do not underestimate the speed 14 Queen’s Harbour Master Naval and establish ownership of all types of vessels of the International Regulations for the of ships. If your boat is slow, you Commercial Port Control used on the waters. This has reduced marine Prevention of Collisions at Sea is in force at might not be able to take effective 14 Plymouth Pilots calling channel crime and assisted Police in the returning of Weir Qay all times, ie: Boatyard evasive action if you find yourself 65 Rame Head lost/found/stolen property. Pentillie „„ All vessels under 20m in length and all Castle on collision course with a large ship 67 or 73 HM Coastguard working channel www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/plymouth/ sailing vessels must give way to vessels in visibility of a quarter of a mile or leisure-users/boat-watch 37 & 80 Marina working channels over 20m long. less. BERE „ FERRERS „ All vessels are to keep at least 50m 3. Be visible. At night make sure TAMAR ESTUARIES USEFUL TELEPHONE R clear of all military vessels (100m I CONULTATIVE FORUM V your navigation lights can be seen. E NUMBERS R submarines) both alongside and at Remember, from the bridge of a T Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum A anchor. CARGREEN M 10 large tanker, the captain or pilot Coastguard 999 A MAIN KEY is a partnership bringing together the R 10 AVOID CROSSING THE BOWS OF will lose sight of you ahead when Y Main Avocet Beds Cattewater Harbour 01752 665934 local authorities, harbour authorities and V A you close within a third of a mile T ONCOMING TRAFFIC statutory bodies to ensure the sustainable R Master E Main roosting sites V even though YOU can see the ship RI It is dangerous for small craft to hinder National Coastguard management of Plymouth Sound and the at all times. Even very small vessels 01752 823706 SPA/SAC/SSSI/MCZ the passage of large vessels. Small craft Institute (NCI) Rame Tamar Estuaries. The membership consists e.g. canoes should carry a torch protected areas users should observe the Collision Head of: to make others aware of their Intertidal area Regulations; Dockyard Port of Plymouth „„ Associated British Ports presence. Coastguard Falmouth 01326 310800 Order; Commercial Port Byelaws, Codes of „„ Cattewater Harbour Commissioners Taerton Lae High speed areas Environment Agency 0800 807060 10 Conduct and Local Notices to Mariners. „„ Cornwall Council 10 Speed limit (knots) Incident Hotline 10 „„ Devon County Council Slipway REPORTING DAMAGE OR HM Customs Hotline 0800 59 50 00 „„ Devon and Severn IFCA & Cornwall 10 Sailing Club INCIDENTS Mayflower Marina 01752 556633 IFCA Starboard Hand Millbay Docks (ABP 10 Any incident that reflects on the safe use 01752 662191 „„ Duchy of Cornwall Buoy SALTASH 10 of the Port of Plymouth is to be reported Ltd) 07525 735892 „„ English Heritage Place of interest immediately to the Queen’s Harbour Master. 4. Be alert. Look around you Natural England 0845 600 3078 „„ Environment Agency 0.5 1 km 1nm Road/rail bridges Such incidents are considered to be: frequently, especially astern. MoD Police Marine 01752 553384 „„ Marine Management Organisation Updated April 2017 a. Any groundings or collisions. 5. Keeping watch at night. Even on a Unit „„ Natural England b. Damage to vessels, navigation marks, clear night you will have difficulty Plymouth City 01752 668000 „„ Plymouth City Council seeing a big ship approach. property or persons. Council „„ Queen’s Harbour Master 10 c. Movement or defects of navigational 6. Watch the ship’s lights. To Plymouth Tourist 01752 306330 „„ South Hams District Council marks. determine whether you are in the Information „„ Sutton Harbour Company PLYMOUTH SOUND AND 10 Fragile Seabed ENTERING PLYMOUTH Sutton Harbour Marina is entered d. Close quarter incidents resulting in path of a ship, pay attention to the Plymouth Yacht 01752 404231 „„ West Devon Borough Council TAMAR ESTUARIES MARINE through a traffic light controlled 44m x sidelights rather than the masthead Underwater we have some of Europe’s Protected by its Breakwater, Plymouth emergency action. Haven Marina PROTECTED AREA 12m lock which operates free of charge, lights. If you see both sidelights, you For further information please contact : most diverse habitats, including pink sea Sound provides excellent shelter. It can be 24 hours a day. (Call VHF Channel 12). e. Pollution. King Point Marina 01752 424297 fans, kelp forests and seagrass beds which are dead ahead MOVE OUT FAST. Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum The waters of Plymouth Sound and the entered by either the Western or Eastern The lock operates in free flow mode for Police (non themselves support juvenile fish and SWIMMING AND DIVING You MUST be sure of your position. 101 c/o Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Tamar Estuaries have numerous international Channels which are both well buoyed approximately three hours either side of emergencies) seahorses. These are vulnerable to damage, Learn to recognise the navigation Plymouth City Council and national designations for the marine and lit. Inside the Sound there are no real high water. Swimming areas are marked with yellow be it by boats or fishing gear or even by lights of vessels towing, restricted QHM Port Control 01752 663225 Ballard House and bird life associated with its shallow inlets hazards and no shoals with less than 3.7 buoys at Cawsand, Bovisand, Western King the fins of inattentive divers. Care must Craft heading for the Mayflower Marina, in their ability to manoeuvre or Longroom Plymouth PL1 3BJ and bays, estuaries and sandbanks. The key metres at MLWS, although care is needed and the Hoe foreshore. Small craft should therefore be taken to avoid any actions to the west of Drakes Island. Yachts should King Point Marina, the Hamoaze and the constrained by their draft. Queen Anne’s 01752 671142 designations are: avoid these areas. If passing through do not Tel 01752 304339 which might damage these protected keep clear of the marked deep water River Tamar should keep special watch 7. Know whistle signals. The captain of Battery Marina „„ Plymouth Sound and Tamar Estuaries exceed 4 knots. email: [email protected] habitats. for ferries turning outside the entrance a ship will frequently use the ‘Port’ Special Area of Conservation: This is channels which are used by HM ships, cross Sutton Harbour Lock 01752 204732 www.plymouth.gov.uk/tecf to Millbay Docks and for the naval ships Plymouth is a rich diving area with a European designation that protects channel ferries, large tankers, bulk carriers (2 short blasts) or ‘Starboard’ (1 Gate Clean Water entering and leaving the Devonport Naval numerous wrecks to explore. Diving is the key features found on the seabed and the city’s fishing fleet. The channels short blast) whistle signals when Base particularly in the Narrows where prohibited within 150 metres of HM including rocky reefs, kelp forests, Our special marine environment relies on should, as far as possible, be crossed at right altering course. Five or more there are strong tidal streams. The short cut ships and establishments. Within channels seagrass beds and saltmarshes. Some clean waters which are free from pollution angles. short blasts on the whistle is the to the Hamoaze between Drakes Island and and prohibited anchorages diving is only species are also included including Allis be it from industry, human activity or historic ‘danger’ signal. Check and see if it No mooring or landing is permitted on the Mount Edgecumbe (known as ‘The Bridge’) permitted with the consent of QHM. shad. mining waste. is for you and if it is MAKE AWAY Plymouth Breakwater. has 2.9m at MLWS. All divers should inform Longroom Port FAST! Three short blasts means ‘My „„ Tamar Estuaries Complex Special Sensitive Birdlife Between May and September, swimming Small craft must avoid impeding the Torpoint Control Station prior to diving in order to engines are going astern’. Protection Area: This European areas off the Hoe foreshore, Bovisand Bay, Floating Bridge Chain Ferry which crosses be warned of any dangers or hazards. This 8. Know flag signals and shapes. A designation protects the intertidal The waters are home to many wading and Cawsand Bay and Western King are marked between Devonport and Torpoint. The can be done either on VHF Ch 14 or by large ship displaying a cylinder areas that provide feeding areas for the diving birds which are very sensitive to by special yellow buoys. River Lynher entered above Torpoint dries telephone: 01752 663225. on her yardarm during the day migratory wading birds that overwinter human disturbance. To avoid disturbance, or three red lights in a vertical in England, especially Little Egrets and please keep your distance from the birds All watercraft should be aware of any small extensively but is navigable on the flood tide WATER SKIING line at night indicates that she is Avocets. whether on land or water and ensure dogs boats flying the blue and white ‘A’ flag, which up to St Germans Quay (no mooring). The of deep draught and therefore „„ Tamar Estuaries Marine Conservation are kept on leads, particularly during the is displayed when diving is taking place. River Tamar is navigable on the flood tide to North of the Breakwater, water skiing may has restricted manoeuvrability. A Zone: A national designation that months of November Calstock, 12 miles above the Tamar road and only be carried out where the speed limit Yachts approaching the marinas at Sutton submarine will be accompanied by protects the habitats required by Native to March when rail bridges. The River Tavy is only accessible may be exceeded: Harbour, Queen Anne’s Battery and a tug displaying the signals on her Oysters, Blue Mussels and Smelt as well the migratory to unmasted craft and is navigable to Bere a. Jennycliff Bay in an area south of Mount Plymouth Yacht Haven should maintain Ferrers. behalf. Give these vessels a wide as intertidal reefs and sediment. birds are a look out for tankers and bulk carriers Batten Pier to the green wreck buoy. building up berth. Together these designations form the entering, turning and leaving the Cattewater. b. River Plym on the East Bank, north of their winter SPEED LIMITS 9. Keep your VHF Radio tuned ‘Plymouth Sound and Tamar Estuaries Laira Bridge, marked by yellow buoys. reserves to Inside the Breakwater - 10 Knots* to Channel 14. This is the Port Marine Protected Area’ and it is important c. Tamar, at the confluence with the Tavy see them Control channel. Listen for traffic that they are safeguarded as they provide Sutton Channel - 4 Knots d. West mud training area (May to Sept, through the information from the Port Control many of our most important ‘ecosystem weekends and evenings only). cold winter The Cattewater - 8 Knots (Longroom for the Sound and Flag services’ on which we rely. months. for the Dockyard). Sutton Harbour - Dead Slow BOARD SAILING Swimming areas - 4 Knots Board Sailing is permitted except in the NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION main commercial part of the Cattewater * Except vessels under 15 metres in length east of a line from the Navigation Light © Crown Copyright and/or database rights. Reproduced by permission of the Controller of overall may exceed the speed limit in Tower at Sparrows Quay to the Yacht Her Majesty’s Stationery Office and the UK Hydrographic Office (www.ukho.gov.uk ). Plymouth Sound outside of 400m from the Haven Marina hoist up to Laira Bridge. The shore or in the designated high speed areas, This leaflet has been produced by Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum with additional same care must be exercised by board as shown on chart. funding from Queen’s Harbour Master (Plymouth) and Cattewater Harbour Commissioners. sailors as by other small craft users.