Falmouth, Cornwall: boating safety
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Falmouth is one of the world's largest natural harbours and the traditional first or last port for yachts crossing the Western Approaches, Biscay and the Atlantic. The Carrick Roads and the Fal and Helford rivers offer sheltered cruising, and the town has a busy docks, marinas and visitor moorings.
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Harbour and marinas
Falmouth Harbour Commissioners' visitor marina and moorings (Falmouth Haven) work VHF 12, call sign "Falmouth Haven" (staffed 9am–5pm winter, 8am–6pm summer); phone 01326 310991 / 310990. In summer the harbour launch "Arwenack" also answers on VHF.
Falmouth Harbour Commissioners – Falmouth Haven visitor guide (amended Dec 2025) · Falmouth Harbour Commissioners – Falmouth Haven visitor guide (amended Dec 2025) · Falmouth Harbour Commissioners – Falmouth Haven visitor guide (amended Dec 2025) · Falmouth Harbour Commissioners – Falmouth Haven visitor guide (amended Dec 2025) ▾
Weather
The Met Office inshore waters forecast for area "Lyme Regis to Lands End including the Isles of Scilly" covers Falmouth, issued four times a day out to 12 nm; HM Coastguard (MCA) broadcasts Maritime Safety Information including warnings and forecasts.
Met Office ▾
Local rules
Speed limit 6 knots in the Fal Estuary west of the line from the end of the Eastern Jetty through Tom Brown Rock to Trefusis Headland, unless permitted in writing by the Harbour Master (Harbour Direction 2/19).
Falmouth Harbour Commissioners – Harbour Direction 2/19 ▾
A beach safety (restricted vessel) zone is in force off Gyllyngvase Beach; vessels are excluded from it.
Falmouth Harbour Commissioners ▾
Hospital and medical
The emergency department at the main acute hospital in Truro is open 24 hours for serious, life- and limb-threatening injury or illness; for anything else contact NHS 111 first.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust ▾
Arriving from abroad
Arriving from outside the UK: unless you already have permission or a right to enter, call Border Force Devon & Cornwall before anyone disembarks (+44 300 073 9621 or +44 1752 689200; 20:00–08:00 +44 7810 851199). Everyone must also call the HMRC National Yachtline (+44 300 123 2012) to make a customs arrival report.
Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (UK Border Force information) · Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (UK Border Force information) ▾
Frequently asked
Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Falmouth, Cornwall?
Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
How do I contact the harbour in Falmouth, Cornwall?
Falmouth Harbour Commissioners' visitor marina and moorings (Falmouth Haven) work VHF 12, call sign "Falmouth Haven" (staffed 9am–5pm winter, 8am–6pm summer); phone 01326 310991 / 310990. In summer the harbour launch "Arwenack" also answers on VHF.
Where do I get the marine forecast for Falmouth, Cornwall?
The Met Office inshore waters forecast for area "Lyme Regis to Lands End including the Isles of Scilly" covers Falmouth, issued four times a day out to 12 nm; HM Coastguard (MCA) broadcasts Maritime Safety Information including warnings and forecasts.
Read before you sail
Nearby destinations
Local rules change. Spotted something out of date? support@vesselsos.com