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Port of Penzance

GBPEN🇬🇧United Kingdom

Port Location

About Port of Penzance

Penzance is a small harbor located in Cornwall, England, situated in the shelter of Mount's Bay. It serves as a port for local fishing vessels and other small craft. Tugs are available for assistance.

Background
Penzance is a town, civil parish and port in Cornwall, England. It lies 64 miles (103 km) west-southwest of Plymouth, 255 miles (410 km) west-southwest of London, and 9 miles (14 km) east of Land's End. Penzance railway station is the terminus of the Cornish Main Line and is both the southernmost and westernmost station in England. Situated in the shelter of Mount's Bay, the town faces south-east onto the English Channel. As well as Penzance itself, the parish also includes the fishing port of Newlyn and the villages of Mousehole, Paul, Gulval, and Heamoor. At the 2021 census the population of the parish was 20,734 and the population of the Penzance built-up area as defined by the Office for National Statistics was 14,960.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Tidal Range
5ft

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Yes
Pilotage Compulsory
Unknown
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Mobile
Drydock
S
Repair Code
C

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
35250 →
GeoNames ID
6621642 →
Wikidata
Q208209 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Official Site
www.penzance.co.uk →
Seamark Type
light_minor

Identification

UN/LOCODE
GBPEN
Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Time Zone
UTC+0
Feature Type
HBR (Harbor)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
Coastal tide gate
Shelter
Good

Region

Subdivision
GB-CON
Area
UK Coast & Atlantic
Sub-area
Celtic Sea
Latitude
50.1184°
Longitude
-5.5308°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Penzance?+
The approach to Penzance is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Hayle Old Rear Lighthouse at 5.7 NM to the NE. Other aids include Gwennap Head Range Beacons (7.4 NM SW), Falmouth Area Lighthouses (19.9 NM E), Spy House Point (36.2 NM ENE), St. Austell Area Lighthouses (43.7 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Penzance?+
The Port of Penzance is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This strategic position influences vessel traffic density, anchorage availability, and port scheduling.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Penzance?+
You can track vessels near Penzance (GBPEN) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for GBPEN on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Penzance?+
The Port of Penzance operates in the UTC+0 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.