The River Yealm Harbour Authority
overview
The River Yealm is not only tranquil, unspoilt and increasingly popular but is also an important area in terms of conservation. It is a ‘bass hatchery’, a ‘Special Area of Conservation’ (SAC), and a ’Site of Special Scientific Interest’ (SSSI), and as such harbours many protected species. Much of the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust.
Its waters are managed by the River Yealm Harbour Authority – a statutory non-profit making body which leases the harbour (except for the Kitley Estate area further upstream) from the Crown Estate. The Authority’s function is to regulate the harbour for the benefit of all its users and derives its powers from a Statutory Instrument and local Byelaws. The Authority is made up of eleven members appointed by the four adjoining Parish Councils, South Hams District Council, Royal Yachting Association and mooring holders on the river.
The two villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo house much of the local community and keep careful watch on each other from opposite sides of Newton Creek. Each has a pub and a church though only Newton Ferrers has shops, post office and a thriving Yacht Club.
The Harbour Entrance
The Harbour entrance lies between Mouthstone Ledge and Season Point. The mouth of the Yealm is shallow and a drying sand bar extends from Season Point on the north side across the entrance. The east/west leading line, set to clear the rocky Mouthstone Ledge by a minimum safe distance, passes over the usual position of the tip of the sand bar, which dries to 0.6m LAT.
Vessels should pass south of and close to the red buoy (F1 Red 5 Secs), and proceed well into Cellar Bay before turning to port after the additional PHM buoy, approximately 100m due East of the main (lit) Bar Buoy, thus avoiding the eastern tip of the sand bar. Inside the bar, the bottom is generally level, without any distinct channel, and there may be as little as 1 metre at Spring tides. Once round Misery Point the channel deepens to over 2.5 metres.
Fancy a visit?
Here's what you need to know...
Vessels staying overnight or using alongside facilities will be charged harbour dues. The current schedule of rates is available from the Harbour Office where payment may be made.
The Harbour Staff also collect dues in the evening and early morning. If you do not want an early morning call it is advisable to pay the evening before. Payment can be made by cash or cheque (supported by a valid bank card). Please make cheques payable to RYHA.
Moorings
The following mooring facilities are provided for visiting yachts:
Anchorages
Visitors may anchor at the entrance to the river and in Cellar Bay, but keeping well clear of the fairway. Anchoring is not permitted anywhere in the river East and North of Misery Point. The open water North of Thorn Pool is part of a private estate, which owns the fundus and no anchoring or landing is permitted in this area.
Rules and Regulations
Full Regulations : Choose your format
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