Keeping to the River speed limit

Rascal Joe

Rascal Joe

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 Jun 2013
Messages
264
Location
Ascot
www.jeffmaynard.com
I heard that there will be more attempts at controlling speed limits on the Thames this year. My own boat, although new and well equipped, came without a speedometer or any indication of how fast the craft was travelling. The supplier offered to retrofit a speedo for 'around £500-600' which I thought was considerably more that any fines (!) but still wanted to know I was within the rules.
I downloaded 'Speedometer' for my iPhone and iPad and found it to be just about the most value 69p I ever spent! As well as giving me an accurate speed reading (in mph, kph or knots) it does so many other things you really need to read the full spec:
You can read/download here: http://goo.gl/twdfT

I have no affiliation with the author (I think he lives in Poland) but see the App as extremely useful and amazing value.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about the actual speed which is a daft figure of 4.3knts, but to avoid fellow boaters wrath just look behind you at the wash, if it is breaking and has white tops your going too fast regardless of what the GPS says. I doubt the EA will do much more than give you a peice of paper with a caution on it if doing 1knt over the limit, but its the size of the wash that counts.
 
Chris is right.

If your vessel is 'Attracting attention' then you have an issue whatever the speed.

The current boat is high-wash, so we have to counter along pretty religiously, but the previous Broom 30 left no wake at a fair amount over the official speed limit, even when the speedo was working!! Even at 5-6 kts other boats would pass us however!!

Your GPS device gives a correct speed over land, just be aware (pedant mode...) the river speed will vary so always more wash upstream!
 
Your GPS device gives a correct speed over land
Click to expand...
Which is exactly what you want as the speed limit is 'over the bed of the river' (not through the water) so relying on engine revs for example will not work.

As to watching one's wash: I agree that is more important for other river users but I'm not sure if 'creating a wash' is itself an offence? Incidentally, the App keeps a log of the last 20 minutes of speed, location and altitude so might demonstrate speed awareness even if stopped for excessive wash!
 
Rascal Joe said:
As to watching one's wash: I agree that is more important for other river users but I'm not sure if 'creating a wash' is itself an offence? Incidentally, the App keeps a log of the last 20 minutes of speed, location and altitude so might demonstrate speed awareness even if stopped for excessive wash!
Click to expand...

The purpose of the speed limit is to limit wash so yes excessive wash is an offence, but technicaly you will get done for speeding not the excessive wash :)
It would be interesting to know the EA patrols guidelines for when they are checking speeds and the criteria they use to prosecute etc...
 
Chris_d said:
I wouldn't worry too much about the actual speed which is a daft figure of 4.3knts, but to avoid fellow boaters wrath just look behind you at the wash, if it is breaking and has white tops your going too fast regardless of what the GPS says. I doubt the EA will do much more than give you a peice of paper with a caution on it if doing 1knt over the limit, but its the size of the wash that counts.
Click to expand...
4.3Kt is a daft figure but 5mph makes perfect sense.
 
MinorSwing said:
4.3Kt is a daft figure but 5mph makes perfect sense.
Click to expand...

Except that some folk think the limit is 5knts if they have a log fitted, then apply car like thinking in that 5.5knts ain't much over as I am never going to kill myself at that speed, then wonder why peeps shout at them to slow down bouncing in their wake.
 
Extract from the By Laws
Safe Speed
26 The master of every vessel shall navigate such vessel at all times at a safe speed and with due care and caution to prevent avoidable damage or unreasonable disturbance to persons, other vessels or moorings or the river banks and in such manner as to show reasonable consideration for all persons
and property in upon or about the Thames or the banks or towpaths thereof or any land of the Authority.
Maximum Speed
27 The master shall not navigate a power-driven vessel at a speed over the bed of the river greater than 8 kilometres per hour
Click to expand...

Note that 8 kilometres/hour is the MAXIMUM speed but you cannot take this in isolation without considering para 26. If there is a 3k/h current running then 8 k/h over the ground would be 11k/h through the water and would create horrendous wash.
 
boatone said:
If there is a 3k/h current running then 8 k/h over the ground would be 11k/h through the water and would create horrendous wash.
Click to expand...

Meanwhile travelling t'other way with the current - you would have to be in reverse to be legal. What a stoopid world we live in.
 
"Safe Speed
26 The master of every vessel shall navigate such vessel at all times at a safe speed and with due care and caution to prevent avoidable damage or unreasonable disturbance to persons, other vessels or moorings or the river banks and in such manner as to show reasonable consideration for all persons
and property in upon or about the Thames or the banks or towpaths thereof or any land of the Authority.

"

I am afraid to say and I qualify it by saying not all but the Blue Ensign boys have a lot to answer to for creating wash. It could be that the "flag" is too large or the smoke from their under used diesels, they cannot see behind to check their wash. I have question a "Blue ensign skipper" before now and when I caught up with him at the next lock about his speed and wash, I was told to B......er off. Was not sure if that was a nautical term?
 
Dear Skipper of Connaught, Merrie Thames, Southern Comfort and every nobber in a safety boat....:rolleyes:

"The master of every vessel shall navigate such vessel at all times at a safe speed and with due care and caution to prevent avoidable damage or unreasonable disturbance to persons, other vessels or moorings or the river banks and in such manner as to show reasonable consideration for all persons and property in upon or about the Thames or the banks or towpaths thereof or any land of the Authority".

I'm determined to do something about it this year, as the Speed and Wash campaigns only seem to apply to mere mortals.
Perhaps a youtube channel of shame and videos tweeted to the EA will get a response. The telephone and email has no effect, probably too old fashioned for them. As much as I hate the idea of Twitter, it might be the only way to go.
 
'Every nobber in a safety boat' :p

Good luck with that. Last time I posted up Video and Pics along with other people corroborating the fact, certain other forumites came along and abused me.

Pathetic...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top