On-the-Water Safety
The River Yealm is a great place to play on or in the water, but you do have to be aware of the dangers this may bring.
The villages can get very busy and parking is difficult. Please park your car considerately.
Please ensure you have paid the proper launch fee. These can be found on our visitors charges page.
During the summer the river is very busy with all sizes of boats moving around. Everyone using the water needs to keep a lookout for other water users. If possible, keep close to a shoreline and ask about local conditions.
The speed limit in the river is 6 knots but some boats make excessive wash at this or slower speeds so please reduce your speed to minimise wash.
Below are some links that will help you enjoy your time in or on the water. There is more information available on the internet so please make sure you look at these articles, heed their advice and enjoy the water safely.
Wild Swimming
If you are organising an event please contact the Harbour Office well in advance to discuss it. No part of the harbour is a designated bathing area. Swimming in the Pool should be avoided during the summer and swimmers should make themselves aware of the dangers.
Some tips:
- Never swim alone
- Wear a wetsuit to reduce the possibility of suffering from cold water shock
- Take plenty of warm clothes and a hot drink for afterwards
- Tell someone where you are going and when you will return
- Wear a swimming safety buoy
- Swimming to and from the Yealm Steps pontoon is not allowed
- Swimming and diving off the Yealm Steps pontoon is not allowed
- Keep within 10m of the shore
- Do not cross the Fairway
- Make sure you know what the tide (in some parts of the river the tide can run at 2 knots) and weather are doing
additional safety information can be found using these links
https://www.rlss.org.uk/Pages/Category/water-safety-information
https://thenextchallenge.org/10-tips-swimming/
Canoeing/Kayaking
If you are involved in teaching or guiding groups you must contact the Harbour Office before launching. More safety information can be found using the following links.
- Wear a personal flotation device
- Know what the weather forecast is.
- Keep a good look out for other water users
- The tides in the river can run at up to 2 knots so leave plenty of space to turn
- Tell someone ashore where you are going
- Keep clear of the visitor buoys and pontoons, yachts could be turning to come alongside and not see you
- Check the weather and tides, beware of being swept out to sea on a strong ebb tide or offshore wind.
- Make sure you have a spare paddle
- Ask at the Harbour Office if you are unsure about anything
- Obey the IRPCS rules and regulations.
https://gopaddling.info/11-things-to-consider-when-paddling-on-the-sea/
https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/kayaking-and-canoeing#
Paddle boarding
If you are going on the water:
- Stay Afloat – wear a personal flotation device
- Stay connected – attach your leash to you
- Stay in touch – tell someone ashore where you are going
- Know your limits – check the weather and tides, in some parts of the river the tide can run at 2 knots.
- Offshore winds in Cellar Bay or strong Ebb tides can be very dangerous and sweep you out to sea.
- Stay clear – keep to the edge and away from the main channels
- Know the rules – obey the IRPCS rules and regulations.
- Understand the Harbour – ask at the Harbour Office if you are unsure about anything.
If you are involved in teaching or guiding groups you must contact the Harbour Office before launching.
More advice can be found using the links below.
https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/stand-up-paddle-boarding
https://www.supboard-99.co.uk/blog/paddle-board-safety/
Dinghy sailing
If you want to sail in the harbour area then here are a few tips that will help you enjoy your trip:
- Wear a personal flotation device
- Know what the weather forecast is and tide times.
- Keep a good look out for other water users
- The tides in the river can run at up to 2 knots so leave plenty of space to turn
- Tell someone ashore where you are going
- Keep clear of the visitor buoys and pontoons, yachts could be turning to come alongside and not see you
- Beware of being swept out to sea on a strong Ebb tide or offshore wind.
- Make sure you have alternative forms of propulsion should your engine or the wind fail.
- Ask at the Harbour Office if you are unsure about anything
- Obey the IRPCS rules and regulations.
More advice can be found using the links below.
https://www.rya.org.uk/knowledge-advice/safe-boating/Pages/hub.aspx
https://dbscweb.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/rnli-dinghy-sailing-safety-guide.pdf
Yacht sailing
The Harbour is a crowded place in the summer with very many boats, paddle-boards and swimmers enjoying the water. We advise that yachts do not sail in the harbour to the north and east of Misery Point. The tides and wind can be unpredictable catching helmsmen off guard and resulting in an incident or near miss.
More advice can be found using the links below.
https://www.rya.org.uk/knowledge-advice/safe-boating/Pages/hub.aspx
https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/yacht-sailing-and-motorboating#
Motor boating
The Harbour is a crowded place in the summer with very many boats, paddle-boards and swimmers enjoying the water. We advise that motor boat helms take care when entering the harbour on a spring flood tide as your ability to take avoiding action will be diminished, similarly when leaving the harbour on a spring ebb tide, resulting in an incident or near miss.
- Wear a personal flotation device
- Know what the weather forecast is and tide times.
- Keep a good look out for other water users
- The tides in the river can run at up to 2 knots so leave plenty of space to turn
- Tell someone ashore where you are going
- Keep clear of the visitor buoys and pontoons, yachts could be turning to come alongside and not see you
- Make sure you have alternative forms of propulsion should your engine fail.
- Ask at the Harbour Office if you are unsure about anything
- Obey the IRPCS rules and regulations.
More advice can be found using the links below.
https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/yacht-sailing-and-motorboating#
https://www.rya.org.uk/knowledge-advice/safe-boating/Pages/hub.aspx
Jet Skis
