PLYMOUTH SOUND, THE CATTEWATER, SUTTON HARBOUR, THE HAMOAZE AND THE TAMAR ESTUARY

Plymouth: boating safety

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Plymouth is a naval and commercial port on the south-west coast of England, with marinas and visitor berths used by cruising yachts. The whole area is the Dockyard Port of Plymouth, where the Devonport naval base, warships and cargo traffic share the water with leisure craft.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call 999
Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

United Kingdom: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

Vessel traffic is handled by 'Plymouth VTS' on VHF channel 14. The Cattewater Harbour Commissioners' harbour office phone is +44 1752 665934.

Cattewater Harbour Commissioners · Cattewater Harbour Commissioners ▾
plymouthport.org.uk (2026-10-14): “Harbour Office: +44(0)1752 665934”
plymouthport.org.uk (2026-10-14): “VTS: VHF 14 'Plymouth VTS'”

Weather

HM Coastguard (Falmouth) broadcasts maritime safety information, including the inshore forecast for area 8 (Lyme Regis to Land's End), on VHF channels 62, 63 or 64; channel 10 is the backup.

MCA – Maritime safety information leaflet · MCA – Maritime safety information leaflet ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14): “MSI is permanently broadcast on VHF channels 62, 63 or 64. The use of VHF Channel 10 for MSI backup and pollution control remains unchanged.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14): “Falmouth Coastguard Portland Plymouth Sole Lundy Fastnet 8 - Lyme Regis to Land's End, including the Isles of Scilly”

Local rules

Private vessels must stay at least 50 m from naval vessels and warships, and 100 m from a submarine berthed alongside or on a buoy.

Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 2020 · Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 2020 ▾
plymouthport.org.uk (2026-10-14): “50 metres of one of Her Majesty's vessels or auxiliaries, or a foreign warship or auxiliary”
plymouthport.org.uk (2026-10-14): “100 metres of a submarine that is berthed alongside the Naval Base or secured to any buoy”

The speed limit is 10 knots north of the breakwater and within 400 m of the shore south of it, 8 knots in the Cattewater and 4 knots in Sutton Channel. Boats under 15 m are exempt from the dockyard limits in Plymouth Sound more than 400 m from shore.

Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 2020 · Cattewater Harbour Commissioners – Code of Conduct · Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 2020 ▾
plymouthport.org.uk (2026-10-14): “exceed without permission a speed of 10 knots through the water— (i) north of 50°20'.000N (Plymouth breakwater); or (ii) within 400 metres of the shore south of latitude 50°20'.000N”
plymouthport.org.uk (2026-10-14): “No vessel will proceed at a speed exceeding 4 knots in Sutton Channel, or 8 knots elsewhere in the Cattewater.”
plymouthport.org.uk (2026-10-14): “does not apply to a vessel under 15 metres in length when it is in— (a) a high-speed area marked on Admiralty charts; (b) Plymouth Sound when over 400 metres from the shore”

Hospital and medical

The emergency department of University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (Derriford Road, Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 8DH) is also a specialist centre for severe injuries.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust · University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust ▾
plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk (2026-10-14): “we are also a specialist hospital for severe injuries, strokes, heart attacks and neurosurgery”
plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk (2026-10-14): “University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Derriford Road Crownhill Plymouth Devon PL6 8DH”

Arriving from abroad

Yachts arriving in Great Britain from outside it (Channel Islands included) must submit a pleasure craft report to Border Force/HMRC and fly the yellow Q flag from the 12-mile limit until reporting is done.

GOV.UK (HMRC/Border Force) · GOV.UK (HMRC/Border Force) ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14): “You must tell HMRC if your pleasure craft is arriving in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) from anywhere outside Great Britain including the Channel Islands, but excluding Northern Ireland.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14): “you must fly the yellow 'Q' flag as soon as you enter UK waters (the 12-mile limit).”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Plymouth?

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 Plymouth?

Vessel traffic is handled by 'Plymouth VTS' on VHF channel 14. The Cattewater Harbour Commissioners' harbour office phone is +44 1752 665934.

Where do I get the marine forecast for Plymouth?

HM Coastguard (Falmouth) broadcasts maritime safety information, including the inshore forecast for area 8 (Lyme Regis to Land's End), on VHF channels 62, 63 or 64; channel 10 is the backup.

Read before you sail

Thunderstorms, lightning and squalls on the water: what to doPerson overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose power

Nearby destinations

Falmouth, Cornwall 37 nmChannel Islands (St Peter Port and St Helier) 83 nmThe Solent 111 nmLa Trinité-sur-Mer and the Gulf of Morbihan 174 nmKinsale and Cork Harbour 184 nmOban 367 nmIJsselmeer (Enkhuizen and Lelystad) 381 nmHarlingen and the Wadden Sea 392 nm

Local rules change. Spotted something out of date? support@vesselsos.com