Prop Strike at Henley Public Moorings. Just to make clear.
- Thread starter oldgit
- Start date
boatone
Well-Known Member
Just a quick update - I will comment further, together with photographs, once I have cleared it with the EA.
At the EA's invitation I joined them on their patrol launch "Chess" this morning and we met with Henley Council park rangers on site. The launch is equipped with a good echo sounder and plotter which gives a progressive image of the river bed and we spent almost two hours thoroughly investigating the suspect area and some distance up and down stream.
Unfortunately, we failed to find any single substantial obstruction away from the bank but did further examine the concrete blocks etc bank-side which extend, in some places, up to 2 or 3 feet from the bank. Henley recognise the need to try and remove these hazards so will, hopefully, be taking positive action. They also agreed in the meantime to provide some clearer signs advising caution and initiated this whilst i was with them.
It would have been good to identify a single obstruction but I can assure you that the exercise was thorough. The area of the new bank reinforcement was cleared of boats but there were a couple of broad beams just upriver that could not be moved as owners not on board and we were therefore unable to examine that area as close to the bank as we would have liked. The Henley people said they would look more closely when the boats have gone.
More later.
At the EA's invitation I joined them on their patrol launch "Chess" this morning and we met with Henley Council park rangers on site. The launch is equipped with a good echo sounder and plotter which gives a progressive image of the river bed and we spent almost two hours thoroughly investigating the suspect area and some distance up and down stream.
Unfortunately, we failed to find any single substantial obstruction away from the bank but did further examine the concrete blocks etc bank-side which extend, in some places, up to 2 or 3 feet from the bank. Henley recognise the need to try and remove these hazards so will, hopefully, be taking positive action. They also agreed in the meantime to provide some clearer signs advising caution and initiated this whilst i was with them.
It would have been good to identify a single obstruction but I can assure you that the exercise was thorough. The area of the new bank reinforcement was cleared of boats but there were a couple of broad beams just upriver that could not be moved as owners not on board and we were therefore unable to examine that area as close to the bank as we would have liked. The Henley people said they would look more closely when the boats have gone.
More later.
Last edited:
oldgit
Well-Known Member
Not that bad an outcome really !
Thanks to all involved.
It did not come as to much of shock that a bit of rock/concrete or empty safe with a label OG hit me was not discovered.
Wrong place wrong time etc.
Would be nice if a couple of metal posts with permanent notices in LARGE lettering announcing
Warning Suitable For Shallow Draft Vessels Only, could be erected.
The sooner the better perhaps .
At some point my poor old props with bend blade are being changed for the new ones.
Will post a pix or two,bearing in mind OG has had a go at them with his trusty flogging hammer.
It was still a great visit despite everything.
Thanks to all involved.
It did not come as to much of shock that a bit of rock/concrete or empty safe with a label OG hit me was not discovered.
Wrong place wrong time etc.
Would be nice if a couple of metal posts with permanent notices in LARGE lettering announcing
Warning Suitable For Shallow Draft Vessels Only, could be erected.
The sooner the better perhaps .
At some point my poor old props with bend blade are being changed for the new ones.
Will post a pix or two,bearing in mind OG has had a go at them with his trusty flogging hammer.
It was still a great visit despite everything.
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
Re: Not that bad an outcome really !
Disappointing they didn't find anything, was a good old mk1 boathook used at all in the main suspect area?
If not I'm surprised they put so much faith in a plotter, I've never seen one work reliably.
Disappointing they didn't find anything, was a good old mk1 boathook used at all in the main suspect area?
If not I'm surprised they put so much faith in a plotter, I've never seen one work reliably.
boatone
Well-Known Member
Re: Not that bad an outcome really !
Raymarine sounder/plotter worked well, although, like any prudent navigator, I never rely exclusively on technology - when did you last get the spherical trig tables out?
Some positive comments might be nice but I'm not holding my breath - oh, and I haven't heard the fat lady singing yet.
Oh ye of little faith - Official issue Mark 1 boathook was indeed deployed as was my 2 meter extending camera monopod.
Raymarine sounder/plotter worked well, although, like any prudent navigator, I never rely exclusively on technology - when did you last get the spherical trig tables out?
Some positive comments might be nice but I'm not holding my breath - oh, and I haven't heard the fat lady singing yet.
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rotrax
Well-Known Member
Re: Not that bad an outcome really !
What are you- a Luddite?
The three modern depth sounders I have had on my last three vessels have been very accurate, as have the plotters. To within a couple of metres with the plotter, and a foot with the depth gauge.
You must ask yourself if Columbus or Drake would have used such devices had they existed instead of the backstaff, lead line and experience.
Of course they would...........................................
What are you- a Luddite?
The three modern depth sounders I have had on my last three vessels have been very accurate, as have the plotters. To within a couple of metres with the plotter, and a foot with the depth gauge.
You must ask yourself if Columbus or Drake would have used such devices had they existed instead of the backstaff, lead line and experience.
Of course they would...........................................
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
Re: Not that bad an outcome really !
Maybe, actually my job involves finding and applying cutting edge sensing technology that usually hasn't even been invented yet. The point being I'm aware of the limitations, as you say accurate to a couple of metres, how do you know that? Did you know the depth by measuring it yourself? So if searching in less than a metre of water +/- 1metre accuracy isn't much use.
Anyway I wasn't there and I trust B1 when he says a through search was carried out, however something is still lurking, you don't bend a prop into the rudder on a couple of discarded bricks!
Maybe, actually my job involves finding and applying cutting edge sensing technology that usually hasn't even been invented yet. The point being I'm aware of the limitations, as you say accurate to a couple of metres, how do you know that? Did you know the depth by measuring it yourself? So if searching in less than a metre of water +/- 1metre accuracy isn't much use. Anyway I wasn't there and I trust B1 when he says a through search was carried out, however something is still lurking, you don't bend a prop into the rudder on a couple of discarded bricks!
rotrax
Well-Known Member
Re: Not that bad an outcome really !
When I go in close with my current Raymarine E120 and Navionics Platinum package it will show the Marina pontoons and fingers. First Mate then steers us into the assigned berth, or the vessel icon on screen shows where we are in the marina. So yes, within a couple of metres.
I checked the depth in Studland Bay just the other day, using my fishing rod with the tip touching the water surface and the weight on the bottom with the line tight. The line from the rod tip to the weight was then measured with a tape measure.
Accurate to within a foot.
As we like to anchor in shallow water-our motor sailer only draws 1.1 metres-First mate gets shitty if we touch the bottom when the tide drops and we go all wonky, so I often check physicaly.
I have a lot of previous experience, albeit from the '70's navigating our canals and rivers. I have lived very close to the upper Thames since 1971. I have seen what goes in from bridges and urban riverbanks and would only use a vessel with a protected prop.
This wisdom was obtained after removing a bicycle tyre from a wooden Thames launch's prop once.
The wires in a bicycle tyre are hard to cut and pierce skin very easily.................................
Anyway I wasn't there and I trust B1 when he says a through search was carried out, however something is still lurking, you don't bend a prop into the rudder on a couple of discarded bricks!
When I go in close with my current Raymarine E120 and Navionics Platinum package it will show the Marina pontoons and fingers. First Mate then steers us into the assigned berth, or the vessel icon on screen shows where we are in the marina. So yes, within a couple of metres.
I checked the depth in Studland Bay just the other day, using my fishing rod with the tip touching the water surface and the weight on the bottom with the line tight. The line from the rod tip to the weight was then measured with a tape measure.
Accurate to within a foot.
As we like to anchor in shallow water-our motor sailer only draws 1.1 metres-First mate gets shitty if we touch the bottom when the tide drops and we go all wonky, so I often check physicaly.
I have a lot of previous experience, albeit from the '70's navigating our canals and rivers. I have lived very close to the upper Thames since 1971. I have seen what goes in from bridges and urban riverbanks and would only use a vessel with a protected prop.
This wisdom was obtained after removing a bicycle tyre from a wooden Thames launch's prop once.
The wires in a bicycle tyre are hard to cut and pierce skin very easily.................................
Chill
Well-Known Member
Re: Not that bad an outcome really !
We invested in a stern thruster last time she was our for a bum scrub, takes the stress out when mooring as do not need to use engines at all.
We invested in a stern thruster last time she was our for a bum scrub, takes the stress out when mooring as do not need to use engines at all.