Boards?

[alruss]

What does it mean when you go on about red boards and yellow boards? what current speeds, or is it height of water?
If you navigate when red boards art out, what happens? Same question with yellow boards? I ask because I am on the tidal Section
and don't want to upset anyone if I visit with high flow rates and don't stop for boards. Thanks Alan

 

[stuartbaggs]

http://riverconditions.environment-agency.gov.uk/

 

[byron]

If you are used to dealing with fast tidal flows when coming alongside, negotiating bridges, narrow entrances such as Hayling, Poole, Christchurch etc. then Red Boards are a warning of fast flow. The only worry will be bridge heights.

 

[bumperdump]

insurance companies can use it as an excuse not to pay out, if using the boat when the rivers on reds and an accident occurs.

 

[My She]

This happened earlier this year on 'reds' -View attachment 30670

 

[alruss]

Thanks for info, I read that as there is no legal reason why you can not navigate on red boards. It is still your choice. As for the boat stuck under the bridge, it is not the waters fault, either the boat didn't fit under the bridge or there was failure of some sort. The rescue vessels are coping ok.

 

[byron]

Thanks for info, I read that as there is no legal reason why you can not navigate on red boards. It is still your choice. As for the boat stuck under the bridge, it is not the waters fault, either the boat didn't fit under the bridge or there was failure of some sort. The rescue vessels are coping ok.

It's all down to experience. The skipper probably reduced power and lost steerage, a common mistake.

 

[No Regrets]

Yep, ready, aim, fire is my normal approach!

A handy trick if you're going downstream and the current is fast is to reverse through a bridge, so you can power out if you need to.

make sure you have power first though!!

 

[alruss]

Point and squirt usually works, but as you say, withe the nose into the flow you can do most things with sufficient power. My boat is low, so most bridges not a problem.