Entering Plymouth By Boat
Protected by its Breakwater, the Sound provides excellent shelter and a beautiful backdrop for recreational boating and sailing around Plymouth. It can be entered by either the Western or Eastern channels, which are both well buoyed and lit. Inside the Sound there are no real hazards and no shoals with less than 3.7m at MLWS, although care is needed to the west of Drake’s Island.
North of the Breakwater
Rule 9 of the International Regulations of Collisions at Sea is in force at all times, therefore:
- All vessels under 20m in length and all sailing vessels must give way to vessels over 20m long.
- All vessels are to keep at least 50m clear of all military vessels (100m for submarines) both alongside and at anchor.
Stay safe! Keep clear of marked deep water channels, which are used by HM ships, channel ferries, tankers, bulk carriers and the fishing fleet. Wherever possible, channels should be crossed at right angles.
Craft heading for Mayflower Marina, King Point Marina, the Hamoaze and the River Tamar
Keep watch for ferries turning outside the entrance to Millbay Docks.
Look out for naval ships entering/leaving Devonport Naval Base, particularly in the Narrows where there are strong tidal streams.
The shortcut to the Hamoaze between Drake’s Island and Mount Edgcumbe (known as ‘The Bridge’) has 2.9m at MLWS.
Craft heading for Sutton Harbour, Queen Anne’s Battery and Plymouth Yacht Haven marinas
Look out for tankers and bulk carriers when sailing in or near the Cattewater.
Sutton Harbour Marina is entered through a traffic light controlled 44m x 12m lock, operated free of charge, 24hrs a day (Call VHF Channel 12). The lock operates in free flow mode for approx. 3 hours either side of high water.
The King’s Harbour Master
Safety, navigation and Local Notice to Mariners
For more information on navigation and safety when sailing and boating in the area, and for the Plymouth Local Notices to Mariners & Navigational Warnings, visit the King's Harbour Master’s website.