Frequently Asked Questions

UK BlueFin Tuna Catch and Release Championships 2025 FAQs

Ship to Ship Transfers FAQ

There are no local byelaws or mandatory legislation that currently covers black water (Sewage) disposal at sea from privately owned leisure craft in UK waters, that would allow Falmouth Harbour or other agencies such as the Environment Agency to prosecute should we be able to prove that the discharge was from a certain vessel.

We do our best to educate and disseminate best practice such as that provide by the RYA Waste Management When Boating (rya.org.uk) and through the Green Blue initiative Blackwater – The Green Blue which is either to use black water reception facilities or discharge at least 3 miles offshore.

Falmouth harbour, as do many other harbours, include in our terms and conditions the requirement not to empty holding tanks whilst using our facilities, to aid with compliance we provide adequate shoreside facilities and we have also installed a black water pump out reception facility on the Custom House Quay, which we offer as a free service to all of our customers to encourage use. See: Pump Don’t Dump FH Black water Pump Out

Unfortunately, compliance with our Terms and Conditions are difficult to enforce as it is very difficult to trace a discharge to a specific vessel.

There is no doubt the UK is well behind many other European and North American nations in legislation, enforcement and boating culture. Although all new yachts are mandated to have black water holding tanks, the overall percentage of UK vessels with holding tanks for sewage, is likely to be less than 30-40% of all small recreational vessels. This % could be much lower in a location like Falmouth due to the relative old age of yachts, this data is hard to reference.

We would certainly be very supportive of national legislation that could improve this situation.

Our advice follows that of the RYA: “If a holding tank is fitted it should be used and only emptied at either a pump out station or when more than 3 miles offshore. This is because in the open sea waste will be quickly diluted and dispersed by wave action and currents. On vessels without a holding tank avoid the use of toilets in poor tidal flushing areas (e.g. estuaries, inland waterways, inlets and crowded anchorages) and use marina or shore facilities where possible”.

To be able to understand more about local water quality we are supporting the Smart Ports: Clean Water project lead by MSeis and Hydrosurv through which we will start to take weekly water quality samples of our harbour waters which we hope will help to build a better picture spatially of where water quality issues are present. The weekly monitoring will hopefully start in October of this year (2024) and will initially focus on the inner harbour.

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As a trust port, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners have no shareholders or owners. A Board of Commissioners is appointed to oversee the running of the harbour in accordance with a set of duties and powers.

Board members/non executive directors are selected on merit via an open recruitment process. Appointments are made for 3 year terms and a commissioner may serve up to 3 terms.

The Board appoint a chief executive who is responsible for the day to day management of the Organisation. They also appoint a harbour master responsible for marine safety in within their Harbour Area.

A Harbour Users Group is also appointed from Harbour users. Independent of the Board, they consult on matters relating to the Harbour and provide feedback and suggestions to the Board.

Like other harbour authorities, Falmouth Harbour is empowered to raise money from harbour dues paid by vessels using the harbour. They can also charge for use of facilities such as moorings.  No funding is received from either central or local government and tax is paid on any profits made.

Profits are not distributed but kept for use by the organisation. A reserve fund is maintained to provide capital for re-investment and cover loss making years.

Falmouth Harbour has a number of responsibilities including:

• Safe management of the harbour area in compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code.
• Facilitating safe navigation through maintenance of navigation aids, hydrographical surveys and notices to mariners, including acting as a Local Lighthouse Authority.
• Provision of Pilotage Services for the Pilotage Area.
• Reporting and recording of shipping movements.
• Providing information to vessels via a Local Port Service.
• Maintaining effective pollution and emergency response
• Enforcing Harbour Byelaws and General Directions.

Falmouth Harbour also provides commercial moorings for larger vessels and ships. They have also created two business arms to provide facilities and services in an efficient and cost effective manner.

Falmouth Haven

• Falmouth Haven Marina berths.
• Premium, standard and visitor moorings.
• Rental of outdoor space on Custom House and North Quays.
• Car Park charges on Custom House and North Quays.
• Grove Place Boat Park and Slipway.
• Operation of the Fuel Barge.

Falmouth Pilot Services

• Provision of Pilotage Services for the Falmouth Pilotage Area.
• Boarding and Landing charges for use of the services pilot boats.

Trust ports do not distribute profits and are encouraged to provide a “stakeholder dividend”. Falmouth Harbour supports local events benefitting the wider community, previous examples include:

• Sponsoring the Red Arrows event in support of Falmouth Week.
• Supporting local clubs and associations in the organisation of events, including sailing races and regattas by providing discounted facilities.
• Support of large scale events such as Tall Ships races by assisting with organisation and management.
• Support of shore side events and festivals by permitting use of Falmouth Harbour land.