Bude (GBBUD)

The small harbour is used mainly by fishing vessels and pleasure craft. Vessels normally berth inside the sea lock, between it and a fixed bridge, where there is a 90m quay.

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Bude is situated in SW England on the southern side of the approaches to the Bristol Channel. This port is closed to commercial traffic, information is retained in case of re-opening.

LOA 27.4m, beam 7.6m, draught 2.4m.

Available, depending on weather.

The harbour, which lies on the SW side of the town is approached through a channel, formed by the River Neet, which leads to a sea lock. The channel is sheltered from SW by a breakwater which first extends NNW from the shore to Chapel Rock, which lies 1.5nm NNE of Compass Point, then continuing a further short distance to Barrel Rock at the harbour entrance. Leading beacons: The harbour has 2 pairs of leading beacons. The outer pair stand on a cliff on the N side of the harbour: Front beacon (white spar, yellow diamond). Rear beacon (white flagstaff). The inner pair stand about 0.05nm W of the sea lock: Front beacon (white pile, yellow triangle point up). Rear beacon (white spar, similar topmark). From a position in Bude Bay the alignment (075.5°) of the outer pair of beacons leads to the entrance to Bude harbour. Then on passing Barrel Rock, on which there is a beacon lying at the head of the breakwater, the alignment (131.5°) of the inner pair of beacons leads to the lock.

BA 1156. Admiralty Pilot NP37.

Available from Falmouth.

Available on request.

Stone tower (octagonal, conical top, 6m in height) standing on the edge of the cliff at Compass Point (50°49.7'N 004°33.4'W).

Limiting conditions: Entry to Bude is normally restricted to 2 hours either side of HW as the harbour dries out on each tide. Entry is not recommended at night. Max dimensions for vessels using the lock: LOA 27.4m, beam 7.6m, draught 2.4m. A min tide height of 5.5m is required for locking in. The outer lock gate is normally kept open. Since the lock dries, vessels must be prepared to take the ground in the outer harbour.

VHF: Harbour authorities monitor Ch 16, 12; Mon-Fri 0900-1630hrs, unless notified in advance.

Available at Padstow.

Notify the Harbour Master of ETA.