01752 872533

River Yealm Harbour Authority

Welcome

Welcome to the River Yealm Harbour Authority web site. The site covers three areas, so if you are a visitor you can find out about the facilities available and details on how to enter the river safely along with other information that you may find useful. Residents and mooring holders can find out more about the application process, waiting times, winter and summer storage along with the latest information from the RYHA. Finally, there is a section where visitors and residents alike can find out more about the local area.

The speed limit in the harbour is 6 knots with a requirement for minimum wash as well.

Please find latest news and announcements here, 

The Harbour Master and Office Manager can be contacted at the Harbour Office, Yealm Steps, Yealm Road, Newton Ferrers. PL8 1BN. Tel: 01752 872533, Email: office@yealmharbourauthority.co.uk

Quick Tour - Approach

TIDAL STREAM

There may be up to 2 knots of current at various states of tide, yachtsmen should make due allowance when attempting to turn or berth their vessel in areas restricted by moorings.

SPEED LIMIT

The maximum permitted speed anywhere in the Harbour is 6 knots. Due regard should also be had to wash created at lower speeds

Quick Tour - Approach, Hazards

 

HAZARDS:

West and East Ebb Rocks, Mouthstone Ledge from east; Inner and Outer Slimers from west (all unlit). Sand bar across northern side of entrance (lit). Only 1m within entrance at springs. Not recommended on an ebb tide with strong onshore winds or swell. Newton Creek and large areas of upper reaches dry.

Quick Tour - Visitors

 

HARBOUR MASTER:

(01752 872533) (No VHF listening watch is kept). Charts: Admiralty 30, 1613; Imray C6, C14; OS 201

TIDES:

HW Dover –0520.

MHWS 5.4m, MLWS 0.7m, MHWN 4.3m, MLWN 2.1m

Quick Tour - Visitor Moorings

 

ANCHORAGES AND MOORINGS

Most moorings in the river are private and licensed to resident individuals, however there is an understanding that if the public moorings are full, visiting yachtsmen may, at their own risk, use vacant private moorings. Staying overnight on a private mooring should nevertheless have the approval of the Harbour Master. Yachts should not be left unattended on private moorings without first contacting the Harbour Master. Visiting yachts may not berth alongside resident vessels without the agreement of the owner and the Harbour Master.

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Quick Tour - Harbour Dues

 

HARBOUR DUES

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, card or cheque. Please make cheques payable to RYHA.

Quick Tour - Facilities

 

FACILITIES

The showers, toilets, waste disposal, water and Lifejacket lockers are available for visitors to use from the 1st April to 31st October.

Water Taxi/ Ferry Service. A local boatman offers an independent and limited water taxi service between 1st April and 30th September.

The same operator maintains the continuity of the South Devon Coast Path by running a triangular ferry service between Wembury Point, Yealm Steps and Wide Slip.

Ferry (and water taxi) operating hours are usually Easter to  mid September: Daily 1000 – 1200 and 1500 -1600 though this becomes 1000 – 1600 during the summer school holidays.

Contact on Mobile: 07817 132757

Quick Tour - Walks

 

There are lots of walks that visiting yachtsmen can do starting from the harbour area. A few of them are described below but a copy of the OS Explorer map OL20 or if you prefer the Landranger series 201 and 202 cover the area. These will show more detail and give inquisitive yachtsmen many more opportunities to explore…

Quick Tour - Food and Drink

 

The two villages have three pubs and a Yacht Club serving a wide range of excellent food, beer and wine. Their contact details are below.

Dolphin Inn; 01752 872007

Ship Inn; 01752 872387

Swan Inn; 01752 872392

Yealm Yacht Club; bar 01752 872291 bistro; 01752 872232

Along Newton Hill there are four shops, three of which sell food and drink.

Quick Tour - Weather

 

From the 1st April to the 31st October the daily 0700 inshore water forecast for the local areas are posted at the Harbour Office along with that day’s synoptic chart…

 

About the Harbour Authority

 

The harbour is managed by the River Yealm Harbour Authority which is a statutory non-profit making body which leases the harbour, except the Kitley Estate 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 Riparian Parish Councils, South Hams District Council, Royal Yachting Association and mooring holders on the river.

 

Visitor Moorings

 

There are a number of options for visitors coming to visit the River Yealm. Anchoring is only allowed in Cellar Bay. Once you are East of Misery Point you may only use a buoy or Pontoon to moor onto. We have two Pontoons and six public moorings. Resident moorings can be used if there is no tender on it or a note indicating an imminent return of the owner. You can download a copy of our Harbour Guide from the Visitors Welcome page.

Owners of vessels larger than 45’, displace more than 25 tonnes or have a draft of greater than 2.2m should contact the Harbour Office prior to arrival.  Visitors may use these facilities during the day in the low season without charge but please contact the harbour office before leaving your boat. Overnight charging starts from 1530. 

 

Visitors Information

The River Yealm is tranquil, unspoilt, and an important area in terms of conservation. It is also a Bass hatchery, 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.

This provides an environment that is rich in biodiversity and is a quiet haven where you can get away from it all. There is something for everyone in and around the harbour area. Children and adults alike can enjoy the natural beauty and beaches that are near at hand. From exploring the many walks to making sandcastles on the sand bar when it is exposed to crabbing and searching the rock pools; to enjoying some great food; good beer and wine to delicacies and gifts from the shops in Newton Ferrers.

 

Office Location

TELEPHONE : (01752) 872533

ADDRESS

The Harbour Office,

Yealm Road,

Newton Ferrers,

Devon,

PL8 1BN

 

Cookie Policy

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Nominal Office Hours

 

 

 

 

  Summer (1/4-31/10) Winter (1/11-31/3)
Mon-Thurs 0900-1200 0900-1200
Fri (Times may vary) 0900-1200 0900-1200
Weekends 0900-1000 Closed
Public Holidays: 0900-1000 Closed

In Summer, the Harbour Master or one of his assistants will be on the water in the Harbour Launch from approximately 0800 to 0915 and 1600 to 1830 every day. During the summer season a considerable amount of time is spent on the water away from the office so the times shown above are a guideline. If you wish to contact the Harbour Master outside of these times or make a specific appointment, please contact the Harbour Office well in advance.  

 

 

 

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