tillergirl
Well-known member
Remaining Local Notices
5. River Readiness: Pre-Departure Checks for Pleasure Vessels & Narrowboats - In recent years, Spring and Summer has seen an increase in pleasure vessels and narrowboats suffering mechanical breakdown. These incidents vary in type and severity, but are often easily preventable with proper pre-departure checks and by following industry best practice. We remind all recreational river users to step up their vigilance and avoid the consequences of neglect to reduce breakdowns. Please check your engines, fuel, electrics, radios, anchors and other essential parts to ensure that they are in good working order and ready in an emergency. Suggested specific questions to have in mind for users:
Are the air, fuel and oil filters clean and free from biological infection?
Are the cooling systems (tanks, hoses and in particular impellors) in good condition, not perished, secure and free from blockages?
Are the fuel tanks and hoses clean, free from water and other contaminants and secure? (Significant condensation can occur through the Winter months).
Does my vessel have enough fuel for the journey?
Are the oil levels correct and has the oil been recently changed?
Are the drive and auxiliary belts in good condition and properly tensioned?
Are your batteries charged and with good wiring?
Is your rudder and it’s fixings in good condition?
Is your VHF working correctly? (Perform a radio check with London VTS).
Is the anchor suitable for the vessel’s tonnage, the nature of the riverbed, with sufficient chain and warp and the bitter end made fast? (It’s suggested that a minimum of chain and rope should be 5m and 25m respectively for the Tideway. PLA charts should also be assessed for safe anchorages).
Mariners are reminded the Tidal Thames is a Category C waterway above Denton Wharf, where wave heights of up to 1.2m and tidal flows of up to 4 knots can be encountered and sometimes exceeded. Vessels should be fully prepared to meet these conditions, which often require engines to work much harder than normal. If engines are underpowered or not maintained for the Tideway, Masters should consider whether the vessel is suitable for navigation. Please note that the calm waters of the UK’s canal system may allow defects such as contaminated fuel or perished cooling systems to go unnoticed. However, once a vessel enters waters that agitate contaminants like dirt in the tanks and demands more from engines; these deficiencies can cause significant failures, blockages and ultimately dangerous situations.
If you suffer a mechanical breakdown, ensure your anchor is ready for emergency deployment. If you get into difficulty, with due regard of your location please call London VTS via VHF (Tel: 020 326 07711) to advise them of the situation. In an emergency you can call London
Coastguard on Channel 16 (Tel: 999 and ask for coastguard). Recreational mariners are very welcome on the tidal Thames, but it is also a busy commercial waterway, and it is important for everyone’s safety that vessels can complete their journey without putting the crew
and passengers on your vessel or others at risk.
6. River Thames - Greenwich Reach - Thames Historic Barge Driving Events 2025 - Three traditional barge driving events will be taking place between Greenwich and Westminster on the below dates:
THAMES HISTORIC BARGE DRIVING EVENT - Involves approximately eight Thames Rowing Barges racing under oars.
Saturday 14th June 10.00 – 14.00 Greenwich Pier to Westminster Bridge
Local Traffic Control (when required)
ALEX HICKMAN APPRENTICE BARGE DRIVING EVENT - Involves approximately three Thames Rowing Barges racing under oars.
Sunday 24th August 11:00 – 14:00 Greenwich Pier to Westminster Bridge
Local Traffic Control (when required)
STEVE FALDO MEMORIAL RACE - Involves approximately four Thames Rowing Barges racing under oars.
Sunday 14th September 12:45 – 14:30
1. Westminster to Tower Bridge
2. Tower Bridge to Westminster
Local Traffic Control (when required)
Vessels involved in these events will navigate on the starboard hand side of the fairway and will be accompanied by a number of safety and support vessels. Masters of vessels navigating throughout these events should be aware of the limited manoeuvrability of some of the vessels participating in them and should navigate at a safe speed paying particular attention to their wash.
Local Traffic Control
Local Traffic Control will be conducted, when required, from an attending Port of London Authority Harbour Service Launch exhibiting blue flashing lights. All vessels intending to navigate through an area under “Local Traffic Control” are to call (prefix) “THAMES PATROL” on VHF 14 to make a passing agreement.
Further information will be broadcast by London VTS on VHF Channel 14.
7. Sea Reach - Survey Operations - on or about Tuesday 11th March 2025, contractors instructed by London Gateway Port will commence survey operations in the Thames, south of London Gateway Port. These operations will be conducted on various days from workboat AMELIE G, with works being complete not later than 4th April 2025. During these works, AMELIE G is required not to impair the safe and orderly navigation of Reporting Vessels in the Authorised Channel and proceeding to or from any berth or terminal. The approximate area of operations for these survey works is indicated by the red markings on the chart abstract.
8. Works at Train Ferry Terminus Pier – Harwich - Maintenance works will be taking place on the Train Ferry Terminus Pier from around 17 March 2025 for approximately 2 weeks. These works will be supported by crane barge Spartacus, tug Agama, workboat Edgar and a safety boat. Mariners are requested to pass at slow speeds and not to close within a 30 metres radius of the works due to crane operations.
9. Ipswich Lock Gate Maintenance - engineering works within the Ipswich Lock gates is to be undertaken. This work will be conducted from- 0800 Tuesday 25th March 2025. The works will require the lock to be closed to all traffic. The works are scheduled all day however there is a possibility these works will be concluded earlier. Mariners requiring more information should contact ONS on VHF CH68 to receive updates.
10. Crouch Harbour Authority Notice - Colregs - Mariners are courteously reminded of Rule 9 [Narrow Channels] of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 [COLREGS]
Rule 9 – Narrow Channels
(b) A vessel of less than 20m in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
(d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway.
The latter may use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) [At least five short and rapid blasts on the ship’s whistle] if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.
(g) Any vessel shall if circumstances of the case admit avoid anchoring in a narrow channel.
All commercial ships navigating in the Burnham Fairway will have a Crouch Harbour Authority [CHA] licensed pilot onboard. They will be monitoring VHF Channel 11 whilst within the CHA district. Do not impede these vessels as they can only navigate safely within the Fairway due to amongst other factors constraint of draught.
A ship that is slowing down may not steer very well; it needs propeller action on the rudder to respond, it takes time and considerable distance to stop a ship particularly if it is in a loaded condition.
Ships in narrow channels cannot easily avoid small craft, it is best that you stay clear.
Be especially cautious and vigilant at night or in times of poor visibility, above all keep a good lookout both ahead and astern.
If you cannot see the ships wheelhouse, the ship cannot see you.
11. Crouch Harbour Authority Notice - Polite Notice - Mariners are reminded that it is not permitted to moor their vessels to navigation buoys or marks.
12. Crouch Harbour Authority Notice - Jetties at Burnham-on-Crouch -Please be advised that the jetty moorings in Burnham-on-Crouch are privately owned. Any vessel wishing to moor alongside is required to contact the relevant parties. See CHA Website for contact details: Other – crouchharbour.uk The mooring of any vessels alongside Kings Wharf is strictly prohibited.
That's it.
5. River Readiness: Pre-Departure Checks for Pleasure Vessels & Narrowboats - In recent years, Spring and Summer has seen an increase in pleasure vessels and narrowboats suffering mechanical breakdown. These incidents vary in type and severity, but are often easily preventable with proper pre-departure checks and by following industry best practice. We remind all recreational river users to step up their vigilance and avoid the consequences of neglect to reduce breakdowns. Please check your engines, fuel, electrics, radios, anchors and other essential parts to ensure that they are in good working order and ready in an emergency. Suggested specific questions to have in mind for users:
Are the air, fuel and oil filters clean and free from biological infection?
Are the cooling systems (tanks, hoses and in particular impellors) in good condition, not perished, secure and free from blockages?
Are the fuel tanks and hoses clean, free from water and other contaminants and secure? (Significant condensation can occur through the Winter months).
Does my vessel have enough fuel for the journey?
Are the oil levels correct and has the oil been recently changed?
Are the drive and auxiliary belts in good condition and properly tensioned?
Are your batteries charged and with good wiring?
Is your rudder and it’s fixings in good condition?
Is your VHF working correctly? (Perform a radio check with London VTS).
Is the anchor suitable for the vessel’s tonnage, the nature of the riverbed, with sufficient chain and warp and the bitter end made fast? (It’s suggested that a minimum of chain and rope should be 5m and 25m respectively for the Tideway. PLA charts should also be assessed for safe anchorages).
Mariners are reminded the Tidal Thames is a Category C waterway above Denton Wharf, where wave heights of up to 1.2m and tidal flows of up to 4 knots can be encountered and sometimes exceeded. Vessels should be fully prepared to meet these conditions, which often require engines to work much harder than normal. If engines are underpowered or not maintained for the Tideway, Masters should consider whether the vessel is suitable for navigation. Please note that the calm waters of the UK’s canal system may allow defects such as contaminated fuel or perished cooling systems to go unnoticed. However, once a vessel enters waters that agitate contaminants like dirt in the tanks and demands more from engines; these deficiencies can cause significant failures, blockages and ultimately dangerous situations.
If you suffer a mechanical breakdown, ensure your anchor is ready for emergency deployment. If you get into difficulty, with due regard of your location please call London VTS via VHF (Tel: 020 326 07711) to advise them of the situation. In an emergency you can call London
Coastguard on Channel 16 (Tel: 999 and ask for coastguard). Recreational mariners are very welcome on the tidal Thames, but it is also a busy commercial waterway, and it is important for everyone’s safety that vessels can complete their journey without putting the crew
and passengers on your vessel or others at risk.
6. River Thames - Greenwich Reach - Thames Historic Barge Driving Events 2025 - Three traditional barge driving events will be taking place between Greenwich and Westminster on the below dates:
THAMES HISTORIC BARGE DRIVING EVENT - Involves approximately eight Thames Rowing Barges racing under oars.
Saturday 14th June 10.00 – 14.00 Greenwich Pier to Westminster Bridge
Local Traffic Control (when required)
ALEX HICKMAN APPRENTICE BARGE DRIVING EVENT - Involves approximately three Thames Rowing Barges racing under oars.
Sunday 24th August 11:00 – 14:00 Greenwich Pier to Westminster Bridge
Local Traffic Control (when required)
STEVE FALDO MEMORIAL RACE - Involves approximately four Thames Rowing Barges racing under oars.
Sunday 14th September 12:45 – 14:30
1. Westminster to Tower Bridge
2. Tower Bridge to Westminster
Local Traffic Control (when required)
Vessels involved in these events will navigate on the starboard hand side of the fairway and will be accompanied by a number of safety and support vessels. Masters of vessels navigating throughout these events should be aware of the limited manoeuvrability of some of the vessels participating in them and should navigate at a safe speed paying particular attention to their wash.
Local Traffic Control
Local Traffic Control will be conducted, when required, from an attending Port of London Authority Harbour Service Launch exhibiting blue flashing lights. All vessels intending to navigate through an area under “Local Traffic Control” are to call (prefix) “THAMES PATROL” on VHF 14 to make a passing agreement.
Further information will be broadcast by London VTS on VHF Channel 14.
7. Sea Reach - Survey Operations - on or about Tuesday 11th March 2025, contractors instructed by London Gateway Port will commence survey operations in the Thames, south of London Gateway Port. These operations will be conducted on various days from workboat AMELIE G, with works being complete not later than 4th April 2025. During these works, AMELIE G is required not to impair the safe and orderly navigation of Reporting Vessels in the Authorised Channel and proceeding to or from any berth or terminal. The approximate area of operations for these survey works is indicated by the red markings on the chart abstract.
8. Works at Train Ferry Terminus Pier – Harwich - Maintenance works will be taking place on the Train Ferry Terminus Pier from around 17 March 2025 for approximately 2 weeks. These works will be supported by crane barge Spartacus, tug Agama, workboat Edgar and a safety boat. Mariners are requested to pass at slow speeds and not to close within a 30 metres radius of the works due to crane operations.
9. Ipswich Lock Gate Maintenance - engineering works within the Ipswich Lock gates is to be undertaken. This work will be conducted from- 0800 Tuesday 25th March 2025. The works will require the lock to be closed to all traffic. The works are scheduled all day however there is a possibility these works will be concluded earlier. Mariners requiring more information should contact ONS on VHF CH68 to receive updates.
10. Crouch Harbour Authority Notice - Colregs - Mariners are courteously reminded of Rule 9 [Narrow Channels] of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 [COLREGS]
Rule 9 – Narrow Channels
(b) A vessel of less than 20m in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
(d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway.
The latter may use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) [At least five short and rapid blasts on the ship’s whistle] if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.
(g) Any vessel shall if circumstances of the case admit avoid anchoring in a narrow channel.
All commercial ships navigating in the Burnham Fairway will have a Crouch Harbour Authority [CHA] licensed pilot onboard. They will be monitoring VHF Channel 11 whilst within the CHA district. Do not impede these vessels as they can only navigate safely within the Fairway due to amongst other factors constraint of draught.
A ship that is slowing down may not steer very well; it needs propeller action on the rudder to respond, it takes time and considerable distance to stop a ship particularly if it is in a loaded condition.
Ships in narrow channels cannot easily avoid small craft, it is best that you stay clear.
Be especially cautious and vigilant at night or in times of poor visibility, above all keep a good lookout both ahead and astern.
If you cannot see the ships wheelhouse, the ship cannot see you.
11. Crouch Harbour Authority Notice - Polite Notice - Mariners are reminded that it is not permitted to moor their vessels to navigation buoys or marks.
12. Crouch Harbour Authority Notice - Jetties at Burnham-on-Crouch -Please be advised that the jetty moorings in Burnham-on-Crouch are privately owned. Any vessel wishing to moor alongside is required to contact the relevant parties. See CHA Website for contact details: Other – crouchharbour.uk The mooring of any vessels alongside Kings Wharf is strictly prohibited.
That's it.
