Bringing a superyacht into Plymouth
The short answer
Plymouth Yacht Haven on the Cattewater takes yachts of up to 45 metres at all states of tide, and the Barbican Landing Stage takes vessels of up to 100 metres alongside by arrangement with the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners. Pilotage is compulsory over 50 metres.
Plymouth Sound is sheltered by its breakwater and serves a naval and commercial port, so a yacht arrives into a harbour with busy traffic and a well-developed control system. The range at Devonport is about 4.7 metres at springs.
How is the Sound approached?
The Sound is entered either side of the breakwater, by the Western Channel for deep draught, and the fairway leads north past Drake's Island to the Cattewater, Sutton Harbour and the Hamoaze. Longroom Port Control monitors VHF 14 around the clock, and vessels over 20 metres call at the charted reporting points before entering. The water north of the breakwater is a narrow channel under Rule 9.
When is pilotage compulsory?
Pilotage is compulsory over 50 metres in the Plymouth pilotage district, for which the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners are the authority. Pilots are available around the clock, booked through the Commissioners and co-ordinated by Longroom.
Where does a superyacht berth?
Plymouth Yacht Haven, at Mount Batten on the Cattewater, takes yachts of up to 45 metres at all states of tide with no lock, on alongside and deep water berths with 32 amp power and water. The Barbican Landing Stage, below the Hoe, was built for cruise ship tenders and gives alongside mooring for vessels of up to 100 metres at all states of tide, by arrangement with the harbour. The Cattewater visitor pontoons, two mid-stream pontoons in the entrance to the Cattewater, take leisure and commercial vessels on a short stay, landing by tender, from GBP 2.64 a metre a night including VAT.
Queen Anne's Battery, below the Citadel, has a visitors' pontoon to 42 metres. Sutton Harbour, in the Barbican, takes yachts of up to 40 metres through a lock of 44 by 12 metres, staffed 24 hours. Larger yachts can also berth at Millbay by arrangement or anchor in the Sound, by arrangement with VTS. No three phase power is published at any Plymouth marina.
Where does a yacht take fuel?
Plymouth Yacht Haven has a fuel berth with diesel around the clock, on VHF 80, and Queen Anne's Battery, Sutton Harbour and Mayflower also have fuel berths. Larger quantities come by road tanker.
How do owners and guests arrive?
There is no licensed heliport in Plymouth; landing is by arrangement. Exeter Airport, with XLR Jet Centre handling, is open 08:00 to 20:00 and around the clock on request, and Cornwall Airport Newquay is to the west. Plymouth station is on the main line to London Paddington. Transfers are on the owners and guests page.
Is there yard support?
Plymouth Yacht Haven lifts 75 tonnes and Queen Anne's Battery 40. For larger work the nearest yards are Pendennis and Balaena at Falmouth, as set out on the shipyards and refit page.
How can Watermans help?
We book the berth and the pilot through the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, make the report to Border Force, and arrange fuel, provisions and transfers while you are in port. The full detail is in the Plymouth pilot notes.