Cornish Coastal Cruises
Sea Life along the Cornish Coast
As part of our Cornish coast voyage RUTH anchors off coasts and beaches inaccessible from shoreline footpaths providing idyllic spots for observing wildlife, beach combing, exploring caves, swimming, snorkelling, barbeques, all combined with a tranquil setting. The Helford and Fal Rivers offer beautiful anchorages for swimming, a sociable drink at the local pub, or a chance to sit on deck and enjoy the scenery. There are many more rivers and estuaries to explore on this amazing coast, not forgetting the
St Just area with its array of engine houses set
low on the shoreline.
The Cornish coast is surrounded on all sides but one by sea and warmed by the Gulf Stream providing the correct ingredient for life forms to exist that would not survive in other parts of the British Isles.
When undertaking a popular Cornish coast voyage, you will often witness Dolphins, Seals, Basking Sharks and other forms of sea life going about their daily business oblivious of those observing them.
The Isles of Scilly are a day sail from Penzance. If the weather permits and crew are interested RUTH will sail around the islands as an alternative to the Cornish coast voyage.
Below: Boscastle Gig Club competing in the Isles of Scilly Gig Championships, 2007
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Lighthouses around the coast of Cornwall
There are ten lighthouses working the coast of Cornwall not counting the smaller light houses marking the entrances to Penzance, Newlyn, St Ives, and Fowey.
Before the introduction of lighthouses, mariners relied on church bells, beacons, and local knowledge. If the latter was not available the Cornish coast in darkness or bad visibility could be perilous to navigate, especially the wreckers luring ships into dangerous waters to grab the spoils at the expense of the crews lives.
To the mariner of yesteryear Lighthouses must have been the equal of the GPS systems of today with their individual light and recognisable characteristics guiding ships through unsafe waters.
Some lighthouses were privately owned, and ship owners would be charged for their use. Trinity House now care for our lighthouses in England they are fully automated and are monitored from the Harwich Depot.
Some of the lighthouses are difficult to see due to the hazards they mark. ‘RUTH’ our traditionally rigged 92’Baltic Trader will often pass these lighthouses on Cornish coastal voyages giving the voyage crew a very close up view, and running commentary on the history, a rare treat not to be missed.
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