Hit the bottom in Cookham Lock Cut

markc

markc

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Hi

Heading upstream from Cookham lock, about 3/4 up the lock cut , pretty much centre stream I hit the bottom. Stbd prop pretty mashed up. It felt like I went through 2 consecutive piles of stones, slowed the boat considerably. I have reported it to the lock-keeper, but thought it would be good to mention here. BTW I only draw 3'1"

Mark
 
When we went up about a month ago there was a sign at Cookham Lock warning to keep left in the lock cut. I asked the lock-keeper what the problem was and he said that the warning buoy about 3/4 of the way up had detached. Clearly still not been replaced yet......
 
Lazy Days said:
When we went up about a month ago there was a sign at Cookham Lock warning to keep left in the lock cut. I asked the lock-keeper what the problem was and he said that the warning buoy about 3/4 of the way up had detached. Clearly still not been replaced yet......
Click to expand...

It was put back 3 weeks ago must have moved again.
The problem I believe is that they have trimmed some trees now allowing full width on the cut where before the trees kept one away from that obstruction.
 
markc said:
Hi

Heading upstream from Cookham lock, about 3/4 up the lock cut , pretty much centre stream I hit the bottom. Stbd prop pretty mashed up. It felt like I went through 2 consecutive piles of stones, slowed the boat considerably. I have reported it to the lock-keeper, but thought it would be good to mention here. BTW I only draw 3'1"

Mark
Click to expand...

And water level was four inches above normal today (Lockie warned me about height clearance under the bridge)

You should have said hello!
 
Did you see the starb'd hand buoy? They did say a few weeks ago to make sure we stayed centre of the channel as it had shifted.

Have been through that cut at least 4 times in the last month without a problem and I draw a good 4 feet.

Would suggest you also contact Reading direct about this.

Unfortunately the Google Earth imagery for that area is pre the work that was carried out so difficult to pinpoint where you might have been exactly.
 
Unfortunately there is a known shallow area to starboard nearing the upper end of the cut there, which should be marked by a bouy which has a habit of disappearing.

Surprised you hit the bottom if in the centre though, as we must draw as much as you and went through there today fine.
 
DogsBody said:
Surprised you hit the bottom if in the centre though, as we must draw as much as you and went through there today fine.
Click to expand...

Must have been a bit to stbd, but certainly no buoy or other marker. I'm a bit miffed that it seems to be a known shallow and isn't marked ... I feel a letter coming on!

Mark
 
Yes, I can confirm it is known and the bouy that was previously there to mark it isn't anymore, nor is the warning at the lock telling you to keep to the centre.

I had (wrongly) assumed that with the removal of the bouy and warning sign, the EA had cleared the obstruction. Whatever it is / was, is certainly solid, one of our club members hit it in his boat earlier in the year (40ft Linssen) and he said he felt the boat lift up as it hit.
 
Just so that you are all aware, I sent the following email to AngelaQ yesterday:

Subject: Obstruction in Cookham upper lock cut

Hi Angela

Thread on the forum re problems in Cookham lock cut.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246616

Could you make sure someone is doing something about this? This has
been an ongoing issue for some time now and the situation does appear
to be very unsatisfactory.
Click to expand...

She has acknowledged this morning and drawn it to the attention of the relevant people.
Will let you know if I get any further info.
 
boatone said:
Just so that you are all aware, I sent the following email to AngelaQ yesterday:



She has acknowledged this morning and drawn it to the attention of the relevant people.
Will let you know if I get any further info.
Click to expand...

Thanks Tony - when I manage to take some pictures of the props I will send a letter too.

Mark
 
We came down river Sunday with no problem draft of 1.1m.
There was a EA barge moored just below the the lock full with all sorts of stuff dredged from the river including a moped.

Chill aka no name (but not for long)
 
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Cookham lock cut obstruction

I had the same problem in April this year. No warnings and we hit this obstruction, £1500 worth of damage. EA put out the marker after my complaint but do not accept any responsabilty. This was also a problem after they had carried out maintainence in 2008-9 and they put markers out and warnings on the lock gates at Cookham and Marlow then, but removed them again.
 
Nah, your props are better than those of half the boats on the Thames! My old boat coped quite happily with 2 1/2 blades on its prop when chugging up and down the river.

Seriously though, if they were in good nick to start off with, then I think you've got a claim and I doubt those props would be much use at speed.
 
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