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Water Safety Advice

Following a series of tragic incidents around the South West coast over the past few days, we would like to stress to port users that although the waterways remain open and recreational water activities are now permitted, users should ensure they take the necessary precautions to prevent themselves getting into difficulty.

To prevent additional strain on Coastguard Teams, Lifeboats, and other emergency services at these unprecedented times, we encourage all water users to follow the simple advice below:

  • Check your vessel / craft before going afloat, including that it is watertight, has sufficient (and reserve) clean fuel, has clean filters, and that the engine is run prior to departing your berth/launch site.
  • Wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid https://rnli.org/safety/lifejackets.
  • Where fitted, wear the Killcord.
  • Check the weather forecast and tide times, to ensure you don’t get caught out. Met Office Weather Tide Times
  • If swimming, swim with a buddy, within your own ability, and only swim in the dedicated swimming areas when inside port limits (Cawsand, Bovisand, Tinside, Firestone Bay). There is no swimming in the Cattewater.
  • Tell someone ashore where you are going and when you will be back.
  • Carry a means of calling for help (VHF Radio, or mobile phone in waterproof case).
  • If you get into or see someone else in difficulty, call the Coastguard VHF 16 (or dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard).

In addition, over recent days we have seen a number of ‘near misses’ in the Port which could have easily resulted in serious injuries to water users. When using the waterways, obey the rules and be considerate to other water users.

A near miss between a paddle boarder and personal watercraft, near Oreston Slipway, captured by the harbours CCTV system.

We encourage members of the public to report cases of anti-social behaviour on the water, to allow us to investigate and take action where appropriate. Any incidents or near misses occurring in the harbour must also be reported to the harbour office.

More RNLI Safety Advice is available here https://rnli.org/safety.

Enjoy your time afloat, be considerate to other users, and take steps to keep yourself safe.

Return to Recreational Activity

Following this mornings Government update we welcome a return to recreational water use.

All forms of water sports practiced on open waterways, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and the use of privately-owned motorised craft are now permitted under the new guidance (found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-guidance-on-access-to-green-spaces)

We fully endorse the RYA statement below, and ask water users to remain flexible as further specific guidance will be given in due course.

“As we start to get back on the water, we advise boaters to take a considerate and conservative approach when planning to go afloat; be mindful of the potential impact that you could have on other water users and do not place unnecessary extra strain on the RNLI and emergency services. Finally, proper preparation will prevent accidents and is a vital step to getting back on the water safely.”

If you are launching from a shoreside facility or using a Marina, please be patient with the facility’s decisions that have been taken to protect the safety of the facilities staff and users.

Please also ensure you follow the guidelines on social distancing below and staying safe.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing

Recreational Activities – Further Update

Following the guidance document issued by the Government yesterday we are hoping to provide clarity to our customers and recreational boat users in the Cattewater at the earliest opportunity.

One of the industries Governing Bodies made a statement on Sunday welcoming ‘a return to Boating from Wednesday’. Unfortunately recreational sailing was not specifically mentioned in the guidance yesterday, so at this time the previous guidance regarding vessel use still remains. Until we receive specific guidance regarding recreational water activities we urge water users to continue to follow the previous instructions.

We have been informed the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are expected to issue guidance later this week which will specifically include recreational sailing and the status of Marinas.

A joint statement from the BPA, UKHMA, British Marine and the RYA is expected today, which we will share.

We ask for patience, and understanding, and when the time comes, and Marinas are allowed to open we hope everybody will respect any decisions the facility makes to ensure the safety of its staff and users during the reopening.

Leisure Activities Update

We have been following the Government’s advice in respect of Coronavirus and have measures in place to limit risks to port users, our staff, emergency services and the public.

As the country moves towards the easing of certain provisions of the lockdown there is an understandable interest from many leisure users who want to get back out onto the water. Whilst we are also keen to see this when advised safe to do so, we need to assess the Government’s latest guidance in respect of what activities will be permitted.

It is expected that a certain number of water based leisure activities will be permitted from Wednesday 13th May, however we are waiting for confirmation of this from government.

Furthermore when facilities reopen, and water based activity is permitted stakeholders should be aware that arrangements to preserve social distancing will be needed. This means that there are likely to be certain measures that the facilities will need to enforce to follow the guidance, and more importantly keep each other, and staff safe.

In the meantime we thank you for your patience and support.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will advise of any further updates or clarification during the course of today.

Captain Richard Allan
Harbour Master and Chief Executive
Cattewater Harbour Commissioners

LNtM 036/20 Autonomous Vessel Trials

AUTONOMOUS VESSEL TRIALS – CAWSAND BAY

INFORMATION

1.This notice is for information from the Queen’s Harbour Master Plymouth pursuant to the Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 1999.


2.During the period 5 May – 28 May 2020 trials will be carried out of an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), these trials will be conducted within the Dockyard Port of Plymouth in Cawsand Bay and south of the Breakwater.  Additionally, some trials will be conducted in the coastal waters to the south of the Port.  


3.The USV is 12 m in length with a silver and yellow hull and will be escorted at all times by a support vessel callsign ‘Echo Explorer”. The USV and support vessel will display appropriate lights and shapes as required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and will monitor VHF Channel 14 throughout. 


4.Mariners are requested to pass at a safe distance and to minimise wash. 


5.Cancel this PLNTM 29 May 2020.

C Necker

Queen’s Harbour Master Plymouth

LNtM 035/20 – QHM Website

EXTERNAL WEBSITE DOWN FOR MAINTENANCE

  1. This notice is for information from the Queen’s Harbour Master Plymouth pursuant to the Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 1999.
  2. The QHM website will be down for maintenance on 3rd May 2020 from 0930 for approximately 6 hours.
  3. For any urgent matters during this time please contact Longroom Port Control on VHF Ch.14, Plymouth@qhm.mod.uk, or 01752 836953.

Cancel this PLNTM 2359 on 3rd May 2020

NAVWARN 039/20 VTS Service Reduced Manning

ISSUED 24th MARCH 2020

BY LONGROOM PORT CONTROL

VTS SERVICE – PORT CONTROL STATIONS REDUCED MANNING

REF/A/ALRS VOL 6(1) PLYMOUTH – VTS SERVICE.

1.   PLYMOUTH PORT CONTROL STATIONS WILL OPERATE WITH REDUCED MANNING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

2.   EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO MAINTAIN NORMAL LEVELS OF VTS SERVICE DURING THE PERIOD.  HOWEVER, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO ADJUST OR DELAY VESSEL MOVEMENTS DEPENDANT UPON TRAFFIC DENSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED SAFE OPERATION OF THE PORT.

3. PLYMNAVWARNS IN FORCE 001-004, 022, 027, 028,038, 039/20

4. NEXT PLYMNAVWARN 040/20

Tuesday 24 Mar 2020

C NECKER
Queen’s Harbour Master Plymouth

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/plymouth/local-notices/navigational-warnings/2020/plymnavwarn-039—vts-service—port-control-stations-reduced-manning

LNtM 034/20 COVID 19 Precautions

DOCKYARD PORT OF PLYMOUTH – DIRECTION

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS

  1. This notice is a direction by the Queen’s Harbour Master Plymouth in exercise of powers conferred by the Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 1999, issued jointly with the Cattewater Harbour Commisioners.

2.         The threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic is a serious concern. Masters of vessels should follow national procedures on reporting where illness has been identified on board or where crew have been in contact with someone with COVID-19. For commercial vessels this will be the completion of a Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH) submitted to the Port Health Authority via the Ship’s Agent.  For military vessels reporting should be via the LOGREQ procedure.  Additionally, vessels are to report to Longroom VTS that the vessel does not have any reportable illnesses onboard and has free pratique, before the vessel enters the port and the pilot boards.

3.         QHM Plymouth and Cattewater Harbour Commissioners have taken steps to ensure both Admiralty and commercial Pilots and staff are healthy before boarding any vessel. There is also a need to ensure ships are safe enviornments for them.  To mitigate the threat of COVID-19 transmission, the following specific measures are to be taken prior to pilot embarkation:

  • Within the one hour prior to boarding, wipe down the whole bridge with a suitable disinfectant solution (including instruments, chairs, helm, handrails, consoles, telegraphs, windows, chart table etc). 
  • Do not shake hands. 
  • Any crew members entering the bridge, or who may come in contact with the Pilot, should sanitize their hands regularly by washing or using sanitizer gel. 
  • Only essential personnel should be allowed in the wheelhouse whilst the Pilot is embarked.

4.         The measures for countering the spread of COVID-19 are continuiously under revision by HM Government and vessels should wherever possible monitor national advice.  

Tuesday 17 Mar 2020

C NECKER
Queen’s Harbour Master Plymouth

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/plymouth/local-notices/lntm/2020/plntm-034-direction-covid-19-precautions

Tide Times

31 May 2020

Time Type Height
00:34 High 4.7m
07:13 Low 1.7m
13:31 High 4.5m
19:47 Low 1.9m

Copyright 2020 © Tides Today. By using this data, you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions

CONTACT
  • 2 The Barbican Plymouth Devon PL1 2LR
  • Harbour Office: +44(0)1752 665934
    Pilots: +44(0)1752 662708
  • Harbour Office: info@plymouthport.org.uk
    Pilots: pilot@plymouthport.org.uk
  • Cattewater Harbour Commissioners
  • PlymCatte
Weather
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