Penzance
Welcome To Penzance
Penzance Harbour consists of a Wet Dock with a hydraulic ram and gate, a drying Harbour, Albert Pier, West Pier, North Pier, Lighthouse Pier and South Pier together with a lighthouse. Penzance harbour has Harbour Orders dating from 1883 to 2023. Our harbour is the mainland terminal for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company for their freight and passenger services to and from the Isles of Scilly. Linked Solutions offers commercial ship repairs from the dry dock and, Penwith Marine Services, specialise in marine engineering, primarily for the fishing industry, are located on the West Quay.
There are facilities for recreational craft including a public slipway, parking and up to 240 drying moorings together with visiting yacht berths for a further 30 vessels.
There are fish landings in the port and the main cargo handled in the Wet Dock consists of supplies and freight to and from the Isles of Scilly.
Video Tour
History
Documentary evidence indicates that by the early 14th Century the harbour was already supporting a small fishing fleet and there was certainly a pier in existence before 1512 because Henry VIII issued a charter which refers to the “kaye and bulwarks” as already existing.
The pier at this time may have been up to 85m long and probably survives within the fabric of the existing pier. In 1745-6, following years of remedial repairs, the existing pier was repaired, rebuilt and extended by Penzance Corporation.
The earliest significant extension to the length and alignment of the pier was carried out in 1764-68 to provide deeper water and increased landing facilities for the increasingly busy and prosperous port.
In the period between 1812 and 1840 a number of relatively small scale, but significant, works were completed including the provision of: mooring posts; bollards; capstans; a light; protective timber baulking; new paving; a crane; new access road; protective wall and quay.
The final extension to the South Pier was built between 1853 and 1855 on a third alignment. This length of pier was built using the same ashlar bond facing techniques at the nearby listed Albert Pier completed in 1845.
Between 1882 and 1884 the western part of the southern pier was incorporated into a wet dock, created by adding a new pier to the north, widening the existing South Pier and inserting gates between. After 1884 the South Pier changed very little and work seems to have included mainly repairs and renewals.
On the national stage the South Pier at Penzance is reputed to be the site of at least three notable events. The first is the claim to be the first place in England that tobacco was smoked (by Walter Raleigh), the second as the site of the last invasion of England (by the Spanish) in 1595 and the third where news of Nelson’s victory and death at Trafalgar was first received.
Moorings
Penzance Harbour has 240 year-round tidal moorings. These are in the form of fore and aft chain moorings led to a sinker usually buried in the fundus. Regular inspection should be carried out by the mooring holder and span lines between the fore and aft risers should be of the sinkable type ie nylon or leaded rope. Penzance Harbour also has running moorings for smaller vessels with lines running to the quaysides and regular inspection of these lines is recommended.
There are also available moorings on the outer North Pier which are tidal and ideal for vessels that can easily dry out, please note these moorings are accessed by ladder.
There is currently a waiting list, to apply please email or contact the Harbour Office.
Winter storage
There are boat storage facilities for mooring holders on the Maritime Car Park from the 1 October to 30 April each year. An additional skip and toilet facility are provided in this compound as well as several electrical hook up towers and fresh water.
Parking
During April to October a 90 space car park is available in the harbour. Competitively priced it offers an excellent parking location for those day tripping to the Isles of Scilly aboard Scillonian.
Showers
Two showers and toilets are available for Harbour users below the Harbour Office. Showers require a £1 coin to operate.
Waste
Waste facilities are provided on the Albert Pier, North Arm and South Pier. Users are encouraged to recycle whenever possible. A waste oil tank is located on South Pier. These facilities are available for all harbour users.
Fuel
Diesel fuel is available from the Harbour 2 and a half hours before every high water up until 1 hour after. The fuel berth is located at the entrance to the Inner Harbour.
Water
Available free of charge for recreational boats. Metered standpipes are available for commercial vessels.
Visiting craft information
Visiting craft are welcome, boats on trailers can be launched on the Slipway adjacent to the Albert pier, parking spaces for trailers and vehicles are available in the nearby Maritime Car Park. Please contact the Harbour Office for information regarding launching fees and booking for the boat and trailer park.
Jet Skis may be launched from the Penzance Harbour Slipway with trailer and vehicle parking available in the Maritime Car Park. Please conform to the Harbour speed limit when within the Harbour limits and respect other water users at all times.
Boats can moor on the Slipway pontoon for the embarkation / disembarkation of crew and stores etc. But this is limited to half an hour waiting period.
The Albert Pier Slipway can also be used for the launching of canoes, sit on kayaks, and paddleboards. Please be aware of power- driven vessels within Harbour limits.
Visiting vessels wishing to moor in the Wet dock would be advised to contact the Harbour Office before arrival on VHF Channel 12 or by phone and will be advised on availability and areas in the floating dock for mooring their vessel. Penzance Harbour is ideally suited for vessels on passage to and from the Isles of Scilly where boats can take on stores, fuel and water for their onward passage.
Showers and toilet facilities are available by the Harbour Office. Water and electrical hook up towers are available on each berth.
The tidal gate for entering Penzance Wet Dock is open from 2 hours before HW, to 1 hour after HW. Vessels would be advised that at these times the area can be particularly busy with boats, fishing vessels and regular shipping movements.
There is summer vessel storage available in Penzance boat park situated alongside the Albert Pier adjacent to Penzance Sailing Club between 1st May – 30th September and Winter storage between 1st October – 30th April, ideally suited for re-fit work and annual maintenance. Please contact the Harbour Office for more information.
Penzance has a good range of Shops, Supermarkets, Pubs and Restaurants, Parks, Gardens and Galleries. The famous and picturesque Chapel Street is nearby to the Harbour.
Penzance also benefits from having excellent transport links, with both the train and bus stations nearby offering links to all the local attractions including the world famous St Michael’s Mount and the Minnack Theatre, St Ives, Land’s End, and some of the best beaches in Cornwall.
Penzance also benefits from having a direct train link to London Paddington Station and the West coast mainline.
Commercial
The harbour serves as the mainland terminal for services to and from the Isles of Scilly, primarily served by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company. A regular freight service sails from the harbour year-round and between March and November the Scillonian III offers a passenger service for those travelling to the islands for a day trip or longer.
A number of project cargoes have been handled through the port and during recent years it has seen the return of cargo arriving under sail. The wet dock is ideally suited for vessels sheltering on passage.
The wet dock can handle commercial vessels up to 85m, beam of 12m and draft of 4.5m. The harbour can also facilitate loading and unloading of wheeled vehicles via the slipway in addition to the quayside facilities.
A number of commercial business premises are available to let around the harbour estate.
Fishing
A fleet of beam trawlers operate from the floating dock at present. Fish catches are landed on a quayside berth and transported to market. Penzance Harbour is ideally placed for fish landings in the Wet Dock where vessels can usually get a quay side berth and lay up for several days between fishing trips in the protective Dock for service and maintenance, fuel, fresh water and stores.
Penzance Harbour can also offer drying out berths for fishing vessels on the outer North Pier for underwater hull and stern gear inspections and maintenance.
Penwith Marine Services specialise in repair and maintenance to the commercial fishing sector from their base on West Quay which can accommodate several vessels at a time for general repairs, major re-fits and servicing.
Penzance Harbour can offer a variety of options for visiting cruise ships. Those larger than 85 metres can anchor off in Mounts Bay, where there is no size restriction, and tender passengers ashore to secure areas (ISPS Approved).
Our Harbour is the closest in Cornwall to many popular attractions such as the Minack Theatre, St Michaels Mount, The Tate St Ives and Lands End.
Alternatively many passengers enjoy exploring Penzance’s cobbled streets, gazing up at the noble Georgian terraces and wonder at the people that have called this place home and visiting Penlee House and its world famous art gallery.
From the 14th century to the present day, Penzance has created fortunes, weathered storms and inspired groundbreaking ideas.
Alongside berthing is available for vessels up to 90m alongside the South Pier and 70m in the wet dock. These berths are fully ISPS compliant the duration of the visit.
For more information on Penzance see Love Penzance – the official Penzance Cornwall website.
Harbour Master – Christopher Jones
Senior Maritime Assistant – Darleen Ellis
Penzance Harbour Office,
North Arm,
Wharf Road,
Penzance, TR18 4AH
CALL – 01736 366113
EMAIL – penzanceharbour@cornwall.gov.uk