Falmouth

Size limits

Largest vessel handled "Seatransport", Crude oil tanker, 106,638DWT.

Water density

1023.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 5.3m springs, 4.2m neaps.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The entrance to the estuary is between Pendennis Point and Saint Anthony Head and is divided by Black Rock, which is marked by a conspicuous stone beacon.

Entrance: Divided by Black Rock into a W channel with 5.2m LAT and an E channel, the main channel, with 11.3m LAT.

Larger vessels use the E channel. Approaches to the dock and inner harbour have 5.2m LAT.

Port limits

The S port limits extend from Zone Point SE and SW to a position about 5nm S of St Anthony Head then NW to Rosemullion Head.

Anchorages

Anchorage can be obtained off Falmouth Bay about 1.25 SW of St Anthony Head in depths of approx 17.0m. There are several wrecks in this area, one of which has a least charted depth of 13.7m, positions are marked on the chart of the area.

Vessels anchoring within port limits without a pilot must report arrival and anchor position to Falmouth Pilot Radio which maintains a continuous listening watch on Ch 16.

Masters of vessels at anchor are required to ensure that a proper anchor watch is kept and maintain continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 16. Masters are not permitted to place engines at more than 30 minutes notice without permission of the Harbour Master.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Charts and publications

BA 32, 18, 154. Admiralty Pilot NP27, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA's: Notify ETA 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

Pilots: Falmouth Pilot Radio, VHF Ch 16 & 9. Tel: +44 (0)1326 211376

Health

Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificate possible.

Customs and immigration

Falmouth is a "Port of Entry". Contact, Tel: +44 1326 213000, Fax: +44 1326 213010.

Flags

Interco flag "Q" must be flown by all vessels arriving from outside EU countries.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Transport and Security Directorate (TRANSEC) of the Department for Transport.

Position: Head of Maritime Security Operations.

Address: TRANSEC Department for Transport, 5th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DT, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 207 944 2844 (24 hrs)

Fax: +44 207 944 2175

Email: [email protected]

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels.

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) is proposing, in line with EU regulations associated with the ISPS Code, to extend maritime security requirements to ships operating in domestic service and to port facilities serving them. The requirements would be based on those applicable to sea going vessels and generally would apply to domestic ships operating in 'sea areas', and which carry over 12 passengers or are over 500GT. Sea going ships which are certified to carry more than 250 passengers and tankers, especially those carrying oil and gas products, are considered as having the potential to be a target for attack.

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkering: Available

Medical

Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, 17.6km. Port Health Office (within docks) tel: +44 1326 11581.

Transport

Nearest airport: St Mawgan, 45km. Newquay, 45km.

Nearest railway: Falmouth (branch) and Truro (main line), 17.6km.

Working hours

Normally (office) Mon-Fri 0900-1700hrs. Docks: Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Falmouth lies near the mouth of the River Fal on SW coast of England.

The port

Falmouth is the third largest natural harbour in the world. Being a deepwater harbour, Falmouth is able to offer significant sheltered anchorages to vessels that awaits orders, seeking shelter or undertaking stores and crew changes. The port has bunkering facility, ship repair and commercial cargo handling facility.

Traffic

Approx 220,000t of cargo and 260 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Falmouth?

Pilotage is compulsory within the Falmouth Pilotage Area (Black Head to Dodman Point) as follows;

What time zone is Falmouth in?

Local time at Falmouth is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Falmouth?

1023.

Which load line zone is Falmouth in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Falmouth?

Port State Control at Falmouth: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Falmouth?

The UN/LOCODE of Falmouth is GBFAL.

What crews who called at Falmouth say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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