Lack of Activity (not so much)

[Lower Limit 1909]

Here between Richmond and Teddington it's actually a hive of activity. Steady stream of craft all day and it will pick up more over the weekend like the last two.

1 Swimmer, 3 powered boats, 2 kayakers, 3 paddle boarders, and 2 rowing boats have all passed in the last 30 mins. Currently 3 vessels visible in the 100 metre section I can see.

95% of motor boaters (and 100% of the rowing/canoeing clubs) are complying with the guidance but a substantial minority are certainly very active and making the most of the weather.

 

[normskib]

I just wonder if it’s ignorance or I couldn’t care less attitude if indeed it is ignorance to the fact that we’ve been asked not to use the river at this time it must surely seem very strange to anybody out there on these beautiful days and evenings of late that they have the river to themselves !!! Sorry I don’t think it’s lack of information just purely selfish behaviour by few River uses couldn’t care less as long as they’re alright Jack .

 

[Actionmat]

I was one of them. I broke the cabin fever with a weekend at Hampton Court. The towpath was the busiest I've seen it, cyclists, joggers, sunbathers, families picnicking and my family who seemed to be the only ones social distancing by staying onboard.
Liveaboards have taken over, one has constructed an impressive 2m trip hazard out of branches around his narrowboat. One liveaboard on cigarette island had a crowd over for a party, other liveaboards were having barbecues. Paddleboarders and kayakers came unnecessarily close and God knows where waste tanks are being emptied.
I could care less. I care that I was one of the very few with a 2020 licence.
Hampton Court to Teddington was an eye opener. Far to many people out and too close. We were 'out' but indoors. And I feel so much better for 48hrs of relative normality.
Waking up on Saturday and Sunday with no coach boats was sheer luxury.

 

[normskib]

Saturday 9th April and the lockdown on the River Thames is in full swing !!! In one small stretch of the River in Twickenham I counted 17 assorted motorboats canoes kayaks etc all out on the river at the same time.if there is a lockdown in place why aren’t the PLA on the tidal Thames and I would assume they EA on the upper Thames are making no effort whatsoever to supervise the river at this time . It all just adds to the sit it out Abide by the rules boaters frustration

 

[boatone]

Keep hearing “we’ve passed the peak” but we haven’t really, have we? Lock down has clearly succeeded in limiting virus spread but thats a control result, not a transition in the virility of the virus itself.
Country seems to have replaced a Brexit polarisation with a new stark choice - stay locked down, keep more people safe and bugger the economy or relax constraints, accept more may die and hope that has a benefit for the economy.
Glad I, for one, don’t have the responsibility to make the call.

 

[AuntyRinum]

In the 1920 flu pandemic, many more people died in the second wave than in the first.

 

[oldgit]

Four boats came past while I was doing my pontoon patrol (bits of paper to prove it Guv).
All the skippers who might or might not have been down there ** carrying out emergency repairs or urgent maintainance probably have been retired for longer than they were at work.

Just as soon as Teddington opens......H-e-l-l-o Thames.
Just bought some BIG fenders in anticipation.

** observing social distancing.
.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

. . . or relax constraints, accept more may die and hope that has a benefit for the economy.

But all the people advocating that option, don't have to make the call either.

They are simply the cheer leaders for the right wing libertarians who have plenty of voice but no responsibility.

 

[normskib]

Saturday 9th May and the lockdown on the River Thames is in full swing !!! In one small stretch of the River in Twickenham I counted 17 assorted motorboats canoes kayaks etc all out on the river at the same time.if there is a lockdown in place why aren’t the PLA on the tidal Thames and I would assume they EA on the upper Thames are making no effort whatsoever to supervise the river at this time . It all just adds to the sit it out Abide by the rules boaters frustration

 

[normskib]

Saturday 9th May and the lockdown on the River Thames is in full swing !!! In one small stretch of the River in Twickenham I counted 17 assorted motorboats canoes kayaks etc all out on the river at the same time.if there is a lockdown in place why aren’t the PLA on the tidal Thames and I would assume they EA on the upper Thames are making no effort whatsoever to supervise the river at this time . It all just adds to the sit it out Abide by the rules boaters frustration