More problems with rowers - sorry!

[DWT]

Did anyone else have problems with the regatta at Reading today?

The channel left for navigation seemed particularly narrow and the organisers seemed to have little idea about the problems they were causing to boats trying to pass the course. Heading downstream near the start of the course we had to hold our station for a full five minutes while one of the regatta boats stopped about eight sets of rowers heading up the channel to the start line. With a strong wind blowing we just about managed to keep out of the way, but the boat in front was blown on to the bank.

Further downstream in a particularly narrow section an eight got stuck across the channel and with boats all around us we had no room to manouvre at all and drifted aground. In trying to get off without damaging our props the bow scraped against some stone capping on the bank leaving three or four deep gouges in the gelcoat.

I felt sorry for the young lads in the eight. They tried to move out of the way by going across the line of buoys, only to be shouted at by people on the opposite bank to get back off the course.

These things happen and the gelcoat can be repaired, but I was troubled at the way the whole river was taken over without any apparent concern for the possible consequences of mixing what in some cases appeared to be young and inexperienced crews with large cruisers struggling in a strong wind.

Are there any rules about how much space regatta organisers should leave for navigation?

 

[Ramage]

I am not sure if the EA stipulates how much channel should be left for navigation.

SWMBO was coxing an eight at Marlow yesterday. There they had 3 racing lanes plus a lane for the boats to go down to the start line. What remained was the channel for general navigation.

Unfortunately I think very few members of the rowing fraternity (including umpires) have an appreciation of the difficulties caused to motor cruisers when umpires/ coaching cats and rowers impinge upon or obstruct the navigation channel. This is especially a problem when there is a strong wind blowing since at low speed (we do slow down for the robos, dont we?) cruisers can easily be blown off course. This is of course even worse for Narrowboats who have flat bottoms.

Perhaps Boatone can raise these concerns with the EA?

 

[bradtarga34]

We came through Marlow today and was faced with a ridiculous narrow navigation channel, which then gets used by the blimmin robo's as well, which then leads no room to get past. We were on tick over, only to have one of the derros in the accompanying motor escorts telling us to slow down, which we couldn't as we would then have no steerage. I just think it is a natural retort to call out slow down, even though we were going as slow as possible and not causing any wash whatsoever, they really don't make any effort to try and get on with us mobo's, needless to say I just carried on as I was, as I usually do.

Why they need 90% of the river to race 2 robos down I just don't know, especially as part of the course had overhanging trees which only left enough room for 1 boat to pass. To be honest, faced with that I will have no qualms but to go the other side of the buoys, there is no way I am going to risk any damage to mine, or any other boats when they have decided to make a channel which is just not useable for safe navigation. This is not a narrow stretch of river, so I really don't know why they thing they have to block most of it up... Needless to say, no EA boats visible at all.

Surely there must be a set of guide lines for this sort of thing, or is it just the usual rowing clubs thinking it is their 'right' to take up as much river as they want??

 

[storm-force]

Regatta navigation

I am not sure if the EA stipulates how much channel should be left for navigation.

Unfortunately I think very few members of the rowing fraternity (including umpires) have an appreciation of the difficulties caused to motor cruisers when umpires/ coaching cats and rowers impinge upon or obstruct the navigation channel. This is especially a problem when there is a strong wind blowing since at low speed (we do slow down for the robos, dont we?) cruisers can easily be blown off course. This is of course even worse for Narrowboats who have flat bottoms.

We passed Marlow regatta course on Sat pm, river traffic was quite, so we we were lucky, minimal traffic coming down river. In parts the channel was wide enough but where the trees over hang there was not enough room for 2 cruisers to pass let alone meeting a public passenger vessel.
As the EA is responsible for navigation should a river inspector check & sign off the course as fit for both racing & general navigation?????????? If the EA are not responsible should there be an independent health & safety assessment signed by the race officials prior to the event to comply with any government regulations???????? Who is responsible if there is an incident and some one is injured or G F B drowns!!!!!!!!!!

 

[No Regrets]

This was my whole point in the original rowers thread a month or so ago!!

The channel was narrow, involved hanging trees and was even then obstructed by cretins in judging boats, and the rowers themselves.

It's like Geoundhog day lol

 

[No Regrets]

Er Groundhog, sorry,,,

 

[apollo]

Just out of interest, what can they do if you stray out if the channel?
As long as there are safety reasons and no EA prescence (now that's a frickin surprise) what legal rights do they have?
I think a convoy/blockade might focus the organisers minds and publicise this a bit?

 

[Ramage]

Why they need 90% of the river to race 2 robos down I just don't know

See my post above... The course was 3 racing lanes ie for 3 boats to race at once, plus a 4th lane for robos to get down to the start line.

Some events only had 2 boats competing, but many had 3.

Please don't think I am defending this, I am only stating the facts!

Oh, and I DID warn the Forum that the Regatta was on.......

 

[apollo]

.....and how much did they pay to take 3/4 of the river?
Diddly squat?

 

[bulto]

A four actually said thank you on Saturday thinking that I had eased down for them not the lock ahead.

 

[boatone]

I am not sure if the EA stipulates how much channel should be left for navigation. .....snip......Perhaps Boatone can raise these concerns with the EA?

Surely there must be a set of guide lines for this sort of thing, or is it just the usual rowing clubs thinking it is their 'right' to take up as much river as they want??

I will indeed be raising this matter with the EA and, initially, need to clarify exactly what procedures apply when an organisation wishes to restrict the use of the river for an event.
I have already asked for further information relating to the several open water swimming events scheduled in the coming weeks and whether they give rise to closures or restrictions.

Note that I am doing this under the auspices of the Thames MotorBoaters Association, which I formed specifically to represent our interests and concerns regarding use of the river, so if you would like to support my efforts please sign up if you have not already done so - it is FREE!

 

[Brayman]

I will indeed be raising this matter with the EA and, initially, need to clarify exactly what procedures apply when an organisation wishes to restrict the use of the river for an event.
I have already asked for further information relating to the several open water swimming events scheduled in the coming weeks and whether they give rise to closures or restrictions.

Note that I am doing this under the auspices of the Thames MotorBoaters Association, which I formed specifically to represent our interests and concerns regarding use of the river, so if you would like to support my efforts please sign up if you have not already done so - it is FREE!

When we held the TVR in the meadow across from Temple Island on Henley Reach we used to obtain permission from the EA to close off the channel between the island and the Berkshire bank for the Sunday morning boathandling competition. Permission came from the EA in a letter about three pages long which contained instructions on what we could and couldn't do. I can't imagine the Rowing Clubs do anything differently. The EA just used to let us get on with it.

 

[boatone]

re Marlow Regatta

I am sure that in previous years the navigation channel was on the Marlow town side whereas this year they have switched it to the weir side - am I right about this?

The overhanging trees are therefore much more of a problem for us than they were for the rowers which exacerbates the problem.

 

[Brayman]

I only ever remember the racing lanes being on the town side and the navigation channel on the Bisham side. Don't know about the last couple of years though.

 

[Steve Clayton]

If the EA require someone to re-write the etiquette rules for rowers in general and guidelines for regatta events then my vote would go to the guy in the middle of the picture:
http://www.britishrowing.org/news/ara-honours-david-sherriff

When I crewed on several trips to move "Univ" up to Henley regatta David was a font of knowledge on all aspects of the river and rowing and his passion shined through

BTW he used to own?/manage T&K

 

[Richard Shead]

If the EA require someone to re-write the etiquette rules for rowers in general and guidelines for regatta events then my vote would go to the guy in the middle of the picture:
http://www.britishrowing.org/news/ara-honours-david-sherriff

When I crewed on several trips to move "Univ" up to Henley regatta David was a font of knowledge on all aspects of the river and rowing and his passion shined through

BTW he used to own?/manage T&K

He used to own it.....he had many fans....

 

[boatone]

Are there any rules about how much space regatta organisers should leave for navigation?

You might like to take a look at the Reading Regatta Rules HERE

Extract -
6 Rules of navigation
6.1 General
The Thames Navigation Licensing & General Byelaws 1993 and regulations for the avoidance of collisions shall be observed at all times. In particular, the navigation channel must be left unobstructed for through traffic at all times.

If you feel they were in breach of these rule then a complaint to the organisers with a copy to the EA would be a good approach - including pointing out that you incurred damage to your boat?

I am trying to find out the exact procedure for these events with regard to restricting the river etc.

 

[Steve Clayton]

You might like to take a look at the Reading Regatta Rules HERE



If you feel they were in breach of these rule then a complaint to the organisers with a copy to the EA would be a good approach - including pointing out that you incurred damage to your boat?

http://incidentreporting.britishrowing.org/?q=incidentreporting

 

[Ramage]

I am sure that in previous years the navigation channel was on the Marlow town side whereas this year they have switched it to the weir side - am I right about this?

The overhanging trees are therefore much more of a problem for us than they were for the rowers which exacerbates the problem.

I think you are wrong there Tony, the pontoons and all the facilities are on the Marlow side, so the channel has always been down the Bisham bank.

 

[boatone]

I think you are wrong there Tony, the pontoons and all the facilities are on the Marlow side, so the channel has always been down the Bisham bank.

Maybe it was some other event in the Marlow stretch then? I definitely remember running down a restricted nav channel on the town side in recent years.