MAIN KEY PROTECTING OUR THE 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 Sound and Tamar agreed between representatives of the water activity is essential Marina10 10 West Cardinal Buoy Coastal path remnants of semi-natural ancient Estuaries. Growing in sheltered sports involved, the Plymouth City Council Pier 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 Master and the 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 (vessels under 15m) and waders. The estuary is particularly marine environment and plays calling for help SPA/SAC/SSSI/MCZ Chelson Meadow marked by yellow buoys. Starboard Hand protected areas Road/rail bridges valuable for dunlin, curlew, spotted redshank, an important part in commercial 4) Tides and weather: Check the Beacon 10 10 Speed limit (knots) 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 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 Ferry routes 10 of the water-ski area and return by the same 5) Engine and fuel check: Have you Beacon species of the Plymouth waters; rare British species of fish as well as providing prohibited 10 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 locations. If completely necessary please Find out more at follow the Green Blue anchoring guidelines. water-skiers. All craft should give a wide berth www.rnli.org/safety/respect-the-

HM NAVAL BASE to the narrow rowing shells and avoid creating „„ Avoid travelling over seagrass in shallow water 10 a wash in their vicinity. Rowing shells are very waters. fragile, have a low freeboard and are most The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) and RNLI provide online advice for THE GREEN BLUE CODE If divers are monitoring these locations please unmanoeuvrable. All craft are to keep clear of LYNHER ST JOHN’S consider the divers’ safety. existing moorings and avoid passing through safe and responsible diving: OF CONDUCT www.bsac.com LAKE them unless proceeding to or from those Follow these boating top tips to help The Community Seagrass Initiative is using www.rnli.org/safety/choose-your- RIVER The extensive tidal flats of the volunteers to monitor these vital locations moorings. safeguard our marine environment: activity/scuba-diving lake support the greatest number of for health of the habitat. If you feel you can „„ Never allow rubbish to go overboard. Board sailing is prohibited east of a line estuarine birds in . Thousands contribute towards a science programme drawn between the Navigation Light Tower SALTRAM „ „ Ensure oil and fuel do not enter the of birds overwinter here. It is notable monitoring these locations visit at Sparrows Quay to the Yacht Haven Marina water. Install a bilge filter and keep for its oystercatcher, dunlin, whimbrel, www.csi-seagrass.co.uk hoist up to Bridge. a spill kit on-board to clean up any grey plover and shelduck numbers VEHICULAR FERRY FLAGSTAFF accidental spills. and, in Spring and Autumn, for PORT Reports of accidents or near misses should be CONTROL „„ Use onshore toilets where possible. its migrating terns. made to Longroom by telephone or VHF.

„„ Keep your distance from wildlife, get CHELSON MEADOW PLYMOUTH CITY hold of ‘The Green Wildlife Guide for DEVONPORT SUTTON Boaters’. CENTRE HARBOUR MARINA „„ Choose anchoring sites carefully and QUEEN ANNE’S LAIRA BRIDGE MAYFLOWER MILLBAY 4 MOUNT Barbican- BATTERY ST JOHN’S Evenings and weekends only INTERNATIONAL avoid areas of Seagrass (shown on WISE DOCKS Mountbatten MARINA map). LAKE MARINA KING POINT Passenger MARINA Ferry VICTORIA THE HOE WHARF „„ Use low phosphate, environmentally- Royal LONGROOM William YardPORT CONTROL 10 SPARROWS QUAY friendly products. - Barbican Passenger WESTERN CATTEDOWN MARINE ANIMALS Ferry MALLARD WHARF „„ Recycle everyday waste. FERRY KING DEVILS 10 SHOAL Dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks „„ Safely dispose of waste from RECREATIONAL THE POINT NARROWS 8 maintenance, e.g. antifoul scrapings can be seen in the ANGLING AND FISHING into hazardous waste bins. and attract attention from boat users. PERMITS PLYMOUTH However, these creatures are susceptible YACHT HOOE For more environmental best practice Plymouth’s waterways offer some of HAVEN LAKE to disturbance. If you are lucky enough to visit www.thegreenblue.org.uk. the best sea angling in the country but DRAKES see them, follow these basic rules: RAVENESS ISLAND The Green Blue is a joint environment fishery byelaws are changing quickly. Boatyards POINT „„ Let them decide what happens MILLBROOK Keep up to date by visiting the Inshore THE initiative of the Royal Yachting Association „„ Keep your distance and never go LAKE and British Marine. Fisheries Conservation Authority BRIDGES closer than 100m MILLBROOK websites for & Severn JENNYCLIFF „„ Never drive head-on to, or separate, PARK BAY NON-NATIVE SPECIES (D&SIFCA), and Cornwall: BE groups of animals www.devonandsevernifca.gov.uk UM 10 Report suspicious species sightings to C It is illegal to deliberately or recklessly www.cornwall-ifca.gov.uk DG 10 the Non Native Species Secretariat E disturb, harass or endanger them. Please T [email protected], Record lat/ Potting, netting and diving N PICKLECOMBE FERRY - MAY TO SEPTEMBER report any such incidents to the Police byelaws U POINT long or grid reference, size of growth and h conto O pt ur stating boat details (type, colour, name e take pictures if possible. For help with A permit must be obtained from M d etc.) or car registration of the towing 5m BAY identification contact recording@mba. D&SIFCA before undertaking these 10 EA vehicle. ST Wembury Bay, a Voluntary Marine ac.uk. activities: ER FORT N Conservation Area, is recognised as „„ Follow the Check/Clean/Dry „ JETSKIS „ Potting: any person using pots to C an area of outstanding marine biological campaign advice – before and after fish. FORT H Jetski users have a duty to look out for KINGSAND importance and is one of the best places in use check your boat, equipment and „„ Diving: any person diving to remove CONTINENTALL FERRY ROUTE A others and to ensure they ride in a safe E N the UK for marine life. Extensive reefs running clothing for plant and animal material, N crab, lobster or scallops. N

and responsible manner: N out from the shore provide partial shelter clean with fresh water and dry as E „„ Netting: any person using nets to A from the prevailing tide action allowing

much as possible. „„ Keep clear of the main channels L H around the Port of Plymouth. catch fish. a wide variety of seaweed and animal „„ Clean the hull and apply suitable C communities to develop. The rocky cliffs „„ Comply with the speed limits. Permit conditions restrict these antifoul coating at least annually. N are home to nesting sea birds and „ „„ Be aware of the main slipways for activities and it is important to know R „ Do no move any heavily fouled E what measures are in place. oystercatchers can be spotted

structures e.g. pontoons and boats launching. T around the bay.

S out of the area or allow fouled „„ Avoid bathing areas, which are clearly Bass angling E

infrastructure/boats to be launched. marked with yellow buoys during the The bass population is also under W Always clean before moving and place summer season. If passage through a threat and so there are restrictions to fouling into landfill bins and not back bathing area is absolutely necessary limit the bass caught by recreational PENLEE POINT into the water. then craft must not exceed 4 knots, anglers. Since February 2016 tighter For more information go to www. and must proceed with extreme restrictions have come in which will nonnativespecies.org or www. caution, giving way to swimmers. require all bass caught to be released. thegreenblue.org.uk/Boat-Users/Antifoul- More information can be found at Find out the current restrictions by WEMBURY BAY and-Invasive-Species. www.plymouth-mpa.uk/activities 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 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 Coteele CALSTOCK constant use by the , 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 The Plymouth Sound and Tamar other traffic. before going to a recognised channel. Port co-ordinates racing fixtures and provides Estuaries. is part of the European operation channels must not be used for Recreational and other small craft users are a forum for discussion of topics of mutual Natura 2000 Network. It has been ship to ship communications. advised to: WHAT YOU CAN DO interest particularly in matters involving both designated because it hosts some of 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, Europe’s most threatened species 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 and habitats. All countries of the EU

channels. Do follows: are working together through the far as is practicable at right angles. MOD BOAT WATCH SCHEME „„ Not impede the safe passage of the not impede the 11 Tug control Natura 2000 network to safe guard Torpoint Ferries. passage of large 12 Sutton Lock working channel The Ministry of Defence Marine Police Europe’s rich and diverse natural vessels. run a boat registration scheme in order to heritage for the benefit of all. North of Plymouth Breakwater Rule 9 14 Queen’s Harbour Master Naval and 2. Do not underestimate the speed Commercial Port Control establish ownership of all types of vessels of the International Regulations for the of ships. If your boat is slow, you used on the waters. This has reduced marine Prevention of Collisions at Sea is in force at 14 Plymouth Pilots calling channel might not be able to take effective crime and assisted Police in the returning of Weir Qay all times, ie: 65 - National Coastwatch Boatyard evasive action if you find yourself lost/found/stolen property. Pentillie „„ All vessels under 20m in length and all 67 or 73 HM Coastguard working channel Castle on collision course with a large ship www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/plymouth/ sailing vessels must give way to vessels in visibility of a quarter of a mile or 37 & 80 Marina working channels leisure-users/boat-watch over 20m long. less. BERE „ USEFUL TELEPHONE FERRERS „ All vessels are to keep at least 50m 3. Be visible. At night make sure TAMAR ESTUARIES R clear of all military vessels (100m NUMBERS I CONSULTATIVE FORUM V your navigation lights can be seen. E R submarines) both alongside and at Remember, from the bridge of a T Coastguard 999 Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum A anchor. CARGREEN M 10 large tanker, the captain or pilot A MAIN KEY Harbour 01752 665934 is a partnership bringing together the R AVOID CROSSING THE BOWS OF will lose sight of you ahead when Y 10 local authorities, harbour authorities and V Main Avocet Beds Master A you close within a third of a mile T ONCOMING TRAFFIC statutory bodies to ensure the sustainable R E Main roosting sites National Coastwatch 01752 823706 V even though YOU can see the ship RI It is dangerous for small craft to hinder management of Plymouth Sound and the at all times. Even very small vessels Institute (NCI) Rame SPA/SAC/SSSI/MCZ the passage of large vessels. Small craft Tamar Estuaries. The membership consists e.g. canoes should carry a torch Head protected areas users should observe the Collision of: to make others aware of their Coastguard Falmouth 01326 317575 Intertidal area Regulations; Dockyard Port of Plymouth „„ Associated British Ports presence. Order; Commercial Port Byelaws, Codes of Environment Agency 0800 807060 „„ Cattewater Harbour Commissioners Taerton Lae High speed areas 10 Conduct and Local Notices to Mariners. Incident Hotline „„ 10 Speed limit (knots) 10 HM Customs Hotline 0800 59 50 00 „„ Devon County Council Slipway REPORTING DAMAGE OR Mayflower Marina 01752 556633 „„ Devon and Severn IFCA & Cornwall 10 Sailing Club INCIDENTS Millbay Docks (ABP 01752 662191 IFCA PLYMOUTH Starboard Hand Any incident that reflects on the safe use Ltd) 07525 735892 „„ 10 Buoy SALTASH 10 of the Port of Plymouth is to be reported „„ English Heritage WATERWAYS Natural 0300 060 3900 Place of interest immediately to the Queen’s Harbour Master. 4. Be alert. Look around you „„ Environment Agency 0.5 1 km MoD Police Marine 01752 553384 1nm Road/rail bridges Such incidents are considered to be: frequently, especially astern. Unit „„ Marine Management Organisation A guide for small craft 5. Keeping watch at night. Even on a „„ Natural England a. Any groundings or collisions. Plymouth City 01752 668000 Updated April 2018 b. Damage to vessels, navigation marks, clear night you will have difficulty Council „„ Plymouth City Council seeing a big ship approach. „ property or persons. Plymouth City 07771 663560 „ Queen’s Harbour Master 10 c. Movement or defects of navigational 6. Watch the ship’s lights. To Council Pier Master „„ District Council determine whether you are in the 10 marks. Plymouth Tourist 01752 306330 „„ Company ENTERING PLYMOUTH Sutton Harbour Marina is entered PLYMOUTH SOUND AND Fragile Seabed path of a ship, pay attention to the d. Close quarter incidents resulting in Information „„ West Devon Borough Council through a traffic light controlled 44m x TAMAR ESTUARIES MARINE sidelights rather than the masthead Protected by its Breakwater, Plymouth Underwater we have some of Europe’s emergency action. 12m lock which operates free of charge, PROTECTED AREA lights. If you see both sidelights, you Plymouth Yacht 01752 404231 For further information please contact : Sound provides excellent shelter. It can be 24 hours a day. (Call VHF Channel 12). most diverse habitats, including pink sea e. Pollution. Haven Marina fans, kelp forests and seagrass beds which are dead ahead MOVE OUT FAST. Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum entered by either the Western or Eastern The lock operates in free flow mode for The waters of Plymouth Sound and the themselves support juvenile fish and You MUST be sure of your position. King Point Marina 01752 424297 c/o Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Channels which are both well buoyed approximately three hours either side of Tamar Estuaries have numerous international SWIMMING AND DIVING seahorses. These are vulnerable to damage, Learn to recognise the navigation Police (non 101 Plymouth City Council and lit. Inside the Sound there are no real high water. and national designations for the marine Swimming areas are marked with yellow lights of vessels towing, restricted hazards and no shoals with less than 3.7 and bird life associated with its shallow inlets be it by boats or fishing gear or even by emergencies) Ballard House Craft heading for the Mayflower Marina, buoys at Cawsand, Bovisand, Western King in their ability to manoeuvre or metres at MLWS, although care is needed and bays, estuaries and sandbanks. The key the fins of inattentive divers. Care must QHM Port Control 01752 663225 Plymouth PL1 3BJ King Point Marina, the Hamoaze and the and the Hoe foreshore. Small craft should constrained by their draft. to the west of Drakes Island. Yachts should designations are: therefore be taken to avoid any actions avoid these areas. If passing through do not Longroom Tel 01752 304339 should keep special watch which might damage these protected 7. Know whistle signals. The captain of keep clear of the marked deep water „„ Plymouth Sound and Tamar Estuaries exceed 4 knots. Queen Anne’s 01752 671142 email: [email protected] for ferries turning outside the entrance habitats. a ship will frequently use the ‘Port’ channels which are used by HM ships, cross Special Area of Conservation: This is Battery Marina www.plymouth-mpa.uk to Millbay Docks and for the naval ships Plymouth is a rich diving area with channel ferries, large tankers, bulk carriers a European designation that protects (2 short blasts) or ‘Starboard’ (1 entering and leaving the Devonport Naval Clean Water numerous wrecks to explore. Diving is Sutton Harbour Lock 01752 204732 and the city’s fishing fleet. The channels the key features found on the seabed short blast) whistle signals when Base particularly in the Narrows where prohibited within 150 metres of HM Gate should, as far as possible, be crossed at right including rocky reefs, kelp forests, Our special marine environment relies on altering course. Five or more there are strong tidal streams. The short cut ships and establishments. Within channels angles. seagrass beds and saltmarshes. Some clean waters which are free from pollution 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 Between May and September, swimming Small craft must avoid impeding the Torpoint Sensitive Birdlife 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 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. 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 All watercraft should be aware of any small extensively but is navigable on the flood tide in England, especially Little Egrets and please keep your distance from the birds WATER SKIING line at night indicates that she is boats flying the blue and white ‘A’ flag, which up to St Germans Quay (no mooring). The Avocets. whether on land or water and ensure dogs of deep draught and therefore is displayed when diving is taking place. River Tamar is navigable on the flood tide to „„ Tamar Estuaries Marine Conservation are kept on leads, particularly during the North of the Breakwater, water skiing may has restricted manoeuvrability. A Calstock, 12 miles above the Tamar road and Zone: A national designation that months of November only be carried out where the speed limit Yachts approaching the marinas at Sutton submarine will be accompanied by rail bridges. The is only accessible protects the habitats required by Native to March when may be exceeded: Harbour, Queen Anne’s Battery and a tug displaying the signals on her to unmasted craft and is navigable to Bere Oysters, Blue Mussels and Smelt as well the migratory a. Jennycliff Bay in an area south of Mount Plymouth Yacht Haven should maintain Ferrers. behalf. Give these vessels a wide a look out for tankers and bulk carriers as intertidal reefs and sediment. birds are Batten Pier to the green wreck buoy. building up berth. entering, turning and leaving the Cattewater. Together these designations form the b. River Plym on the East Bank, north of SPEED LIMITS their winter 9. Keep your VHF Radio tuned ‘Plymouth Sound and Tamar Estuaries Laira Bridge, marked by yellow buoys. Inside the Breakwater - 10 Knots* reserves to 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 Sutton Channel - 4 Knots that they are safeguarded as they provide 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). The Cattewater - 8 Knots cold winter (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 overall may exceed the speed limit in © Crown Copyright and/or database rights. Reproduced by permission of the Controller of Tower at Sparrows Quay to the Yacht Plymouth Sound outside of 400m from the Her Majesty’s Stationery Office and the UK Hydrographic Office (www.ukho.gov.uk ). 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.