Bail-out options heading upriver: advice sought this evening!

[Reptile Smile]

Hi everyone.

I'm currently at Gravesend, and am due to leave in a couple of hours on the flooding tide. My plan had been to over-tide somewhere, but someone here suggested it wasn't necessary and that I'd get to Teddington in one tide.

I'm not sure i will, but it is tempting. It would mean that I would miss all (or at least most of the traffic) though the downside of course, is that I'd be grinding on until HT at Tedders at something like 5am. I don't relish that, but could do it. My worry is, what if I don't make it? I'm a fin keeler, and can't dry out. Where would my bailout options be? Are there any pontoons or buoys up that way that are all-tide?

Any advice grateful received...

 

[Ramage]

Imperial Wharf, or a better bet might be Chiswick Pier.

 

[Dave_Seager]

It is an easy run with the flood tide as you need to arrive at Richmond around high water. Why not wait until tomorrow and do it all in daylight? HW at Richmond is 1706 BST. Leave Gravesend mid-morning and you should be fine. If you need to moor up there are buoys at Chelsea Harbour or you could contact Chiswick Pier.

 

[Reptile Smile]

Dave! Great to hear from you! How are you?

I'm repeating the journey - different boat. Hopefully a different journey!

Long story, but really time is of the essence, and though the daylight passage appeals, I am rather against the clock. Not crushingly so, but I need to try to make progress where possible...

How many hours before HW at Richmond can I pass without problem?

 

[alanch]

I am sure u know this but, on a distance of Gravesend to London Bridge of 24 miles and LB to Teddington of 16 miles, and

HW London Bridge 0350
HW Richmond/Teddington 0451
Richmond Weir should be open from around 0251 to 0651

You should make it in one tide. If not call London VTS vhf 14 and they will be happy to advise.
Alternatively moor up to a handy pier/buoy/lighter somewhere but I never said that!
Good luck. I shall b on the river tonight but not until 0200.

 

[Reptile Smile]

Hi all,

Thanks so much for the advice. In the event, I hung off a buoy in Greenwich, and think I'll leave this morning at LW +1 (about 11ish) - that woul give me three hours until Richmond weir opens which I would imagine would be enough/not arriving too soon?

Just currently getting bounced around by Clippers whilst trying to drink coffee. Fun, fun, fun...