Penzance

Size limits

LOA 92m, draught 4.5m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 5.5m (springs), 4.3m (neaps).

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

Approach

From Penzance Bay the approach leads generally NW passing (positions given from Saint Mary's Church:

SW of Ryeman Rocks (0.1nm ENE) marked on their S side by a beacon (S cardinal), noting the 2.7m patch which lies at the end of a spit extending 100m from the beacon.

Then between The Gear (0.5nm SE), a drying rock marked by an isolated danger beacon and Western Cressar (0.6nm ENE) marked by a beacon (S cardinal).

The approach then leads generally W passing between the two pierheads noting that drying ledges extend 100m ESE from Albert Pierhead (0.15nm NE).

Clearing line: The sector limit (268°) of Penzance S Pier Light changing from white to red passes S of Ryeman Rocks and Western Cressar.

The harbour entrance has a width of 15.24m.

Port limits

Outer boundary walls of the outermost piers.

Anchorages

There is anchorage available in a depth of 15.0m, sand, approx 0.5nm SSE of Gear Rock.

Anchorage may also be obtained in depths of 12.0-13.0m, approx 0.9nm ENE of the S pier at Newlyn, in a depth of 15.0m, approx 0.7nm E of the S pier at Newlyn, in a depth of 7.0m, approx 0.3nm SE of the S pier at Newlyn.

Restrictions

Vessels may enter or leave Penzance during the 2 hours before HW until 1 hour after HW and at earlier or later times by arrangement. The Wet Dock is fitted with a hydraulic flapdown lock gate. This is manned from 2 hours before high water until 1 hour after high water on every tide. It can remain open for longer periods by prior arrangement.

Tugs

Small tugs and towing vessels are available by prior request and it is standard practice with larger vessels that at least one boat is standing by during manoeuvring operations in the Wet Dock and Drydock areas.

Charts and publications

BA 2345, 777. Admiralty Pilot NP27, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel's ETA should be sent 24 hours prior to arrival with updates 4 hours before arrival to Penzance Harbour Office, the message should include draught and any special requirements.

Communications

VHF: Lands End Radio is recommended for passing messages at long range via Ch 27 or 64, throughout 24 hours.

Penzance Harbour: Ch 16, 12 or 09. Call sign "Penzance Harbour Radio".

Tel: +44 1736 366113, Fax: +44 1736 366114.

Harbour Master: +44 796 7240660 (Mobile).

A listening watch is maintained during office hours on Mon-Fri and on every tide by the gate watchkeepers.

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered as soon as possible.

Health

No health or pratique documents are required under normal circumstances.

Customs and immigration

Usual Customs documentation should be sent to Falmouth or via local agent.

Notices and regulations

The harbour can be contacted on VHF from 0830-1730 weekdays and on all tides from 2 hours before to 1 hour after HW.

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. Divers are also available.

Dry docks

Drydock length 74.7m, breadth of sill 11.9m, max draught 3.3m. The yard can undertake all repairs and surveys on a wide variety of vessels.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available on all berths by hose at approx 15t per hour.

Bunkering: Gas oil by road tanker or pipeline. Contact agents for details.

Stores: Available.

Medical

West Cornwall Hospital, 1km.

Crew change

Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Lands End Airport, 10km. (Penzance Heliport, 2km)

Nearest railway: Penzance, 0.6km.

Working hours

Normally 0830-1730hrs, cargo throughout 24 hours.

There are no services on Sundays.

Where it is

Penzance is located at the head of Mount's Bay, approx 40km SW of Cornwall.

The port

The port handles freight cargo, ferry and passenger which runs to the Isle of Scilly, operated ferry and passenger service between late of March until the end of October, and sea freight service all year round at several times per week.

Traffic

Approx 15,000t of cargo and 125,000 passengers are handled at the port annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Penzance?

Not available. The Penzance Harbour Master should be contacted for information regarding pilotage.

What time zone is Penzance in?

Local time at Penzance 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 Penzance?

1025.

Which load line zone is Penzance 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 Penzance?

Port State Control at Penzance: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Penzance?

The UN/LOCODE of Penzance is GBPEN.

What crews who called at Penzance 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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