Hammersmith Bridge, 'measuring post'?

[thames cruiser]

To all you frequent tidal trippers...

I'm planning cruising out down the Thames in a few weeks and it will be my first time planning my own trip (as apposed to following a group of boats in company). My air draft (mast up) is 4.04m, which means I would need to lower it if passing under Hammersmith at HW, but maybe not a few hours either side. So I will do the math and plan to probably pass Richmond shortly after the tidal barrier opens, hoping this will mean I can pass safely under Hammersmith without messing around with my mast (a precarious operation to lower and raise!).

Now, because I'm cautious type, I'd really like to be sure of the available bridge clearance before passing under. And I heard somewhere that there is some kind of 'post' somewhere upstream of Hammersmith Bridge that indicates the exact hieght of the bridge clearance - boats using this to check against before proceeding to pass under the bridge. Anybody know about this and if so where is it and how would I recognise it?..

Thanks.

 

[teddington_lock]

On Chiswick Ait , downstream end.

 

[534l4rk]

I have never understood why going downstream to Hammersmith gauge is on port side i.e. bottom Chiswick Eyot and coming upstream again on port side at Harrod's depositary. Thought I'd heard of projected changes to one or other but can't remember detail

 

[Brayman]

I have never understood why going downstream to Hammertsmith guage is on port side i.e. bottom Chiswick Eyot and coming upstream again on port side at Harrod's depositary. Thought I'd heard of projected changes to one or other but can't remember detail

I believe it is to happen very soon, if not already!

 

[thames cruiser]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

Ian, see you on the River again soon, I hope.

Paul

 

[vandy]

Be careful as at high tide the kew bridge is also quite difficult for large boats to pass
4m mast...ummm difficult to say but watch out as sometimes the water is so high up!

 

[sunquest]

I have never understood why going downstream to Hammertsmith guage is on port side i.e. bottom Chiswick Eyot and coming upstream again on port side at Harrod's depositary. Thought I'd heard of projected changes to one or other but can't remember detail

Well you learn something every day. We have a flybridge with a 4 metre air draft and Hammersmith bridge has always been of concern, sometimes nudging forward trying to get a good sighting as to the viability of passing under. Thanks for the height indicators.

 

[thames cruiser]

Hammersmith Headway Boards (PLA doc)

A very nice man from the PLA sent be a pdf map, not only showing locations of both Upper and Lower measuring posts, but also with photos of them too (so I now know what I'm actually looking out for!).
If anyone wants a copy, just message me and I can email the file.

 

[534l4rk]

Anything on changes of locations ?

 

[thames cruiser]

Anything on changes of locations ?

Nope, no mention of it. Though interesting that the map refers to "existing" locations.