 A & P Falmouth Ltd.
Falmouth Harbour is the third largest natural harbour in the world. Being situated on the edge of the Western Approaches to the English Channel, and being the first major safe haven for vessel having transited the Atlantic Ocean, it has played a major maritime role over many centuries.
Falmouth Docks are situated on the Northwest side of Pendennis Point, and since its establishment in the early 1800's has played a major role in the development and prosperity of Falmouth and the surrounding area.
Today Falmouth Docks is operated by A & P Falmouth Ltd, which offers a major Ship Repair yard with three dry docks, extensive wharfage, and comprehensive engineering workshop facilities. Other Maritime roles included Cargo Handling, Crainage, facilities for Cruise Liners and other marine related businesses.
Over the centuries Falmouth has been involved in many major maritime incidents, around the Cornish
Coast, in the Western Approaches, and also the Atlantic Ocean. Probably the most famous of these was the "Flying Enterprise" in the 1950's. Ocean Going Salvage Tugs are often to be found stationed at Falmouth awaiting such incidents. In recent years the Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV)
has been based at Falmouth during the winter months.
A&P Falmouth owns and operates four tugs, the St. Piran, St Gluvias, St. Mawes and the St. Budoc. Although these are essentially harbour tugs, that are used to provide a service to shipping in the Carrick Roads, Falmouth Bay and of course around the Docks, when there is a ship in trouble and in need of a tow then the Falmouth tugs respond without hesitation. In recent years these tugs have contributed to the rescue of several ships and their crews.
In 1997 the MV Kukawa, caught fire in the English Channel and the Tug St. Gluvias took men and equipment out to as the vessel to assist in the fire fighting effort. Once the vessel had been brought into port the tug then spent 24 hours fighting the fire with its water monitors as the blaze ripped through the superstructure.
More recently the St. Piran played a major part in assisting the tug Far Sky to haul the MV Pooja off the rocks on St. Anthonys Head during Storm Force winds. This incident involved many of the Maritime Emergency Services and the tug crew worked closely with the Lifeboat, Coastguards, Pilots, and Harbour Master to avert an Environmental Disaster.
In both of these incidents, and in many others through the ages, the Docks have provided a refuge for the ships and their crews after the ordeal of a rescue.
The Falmouth tugs are soon to be enhanced with the arrival of 2 Voith Schneider powered tugs. These will be more powerful and maneuverable and have an improved fire fighting capability.
Tug Specifications:
St. Piran: LOA 39M, GT 306 tonnes, 1260 BHP, 22 tonne bollard pull, Propulsion Single fixed pitch propeller with a steerable nozzle. Crew of 6
Tug Photos 1 and 2
New Tugs: LOA 28M GT 167 tonnes 790 BHP Propulsion 2 x Voith Schneider units. Crew of 4
For the first time this year, the Docks are offering the unique opportunity to visit the St Piran and get first hand knowledge of the resource which has played such a leading role in the Port of Falmouth and Cornwall's History through the years.
Falmouth Docks Tours - Daily at 11:00, 12:30 & 14:00
|
