boatone
Well-known member
Re: Speed Limit and Prosecution
Have just visited the Port of London Authority website and done an exhaustive search on speed limits. Interestingly, I can find no reference to mandatory limits at all. However, it all seems to rest on the following extracts from a Notices to Mariners published on the website:
Quote " Mariners are reminded of the requirement to navigate their vessels at all times at a speed commensurate with local circumstances and conditions. Experience indicates that, in the area Gravesend Reach and above, a speed in excess of 10 knots through the water can be liable to injure or endanger persons, other vessels or property. Due care should be taken in the vicinity of vessels moored and working on berths closely adjacent to the navigation channel, particularly when these vessels are handling dangerous goods and displaying the red flag or light required by Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations.
And a further paragraph - quote...
"A master who navigates his vessel on the Thames:
(a) without due care and attention; or
(b) in a manner liable to injure or endanger persons, other vessels, the banks of the Thames (whether above or below mean high water level) or any structure or installation in or beside the Thames;
shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine upon conviction.
So, it all seems to rest upon interpretation of the above given the prevailing circumstances and the only mention of an absolute speed is the "10 Knots" quoted above - unless, of course, someone here has more definitive (rather than anecdotal) evidence?
PS - note the speed mentioned is 10knots THROUGH THE WATER and not over the ground!
MoBoChat Images and Profile Pics at www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/mobochat<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by boatone on 10/07/2002 19:14 (server time).</FONT></P>
Have just visited the Port of London Authority website and done an exhaustive search on speed limits. Interestingly, I can find no reference to mandatory limits at all. However, it all seems to rest on the following extracts from a Notices to Mariners published on the website:
Quote " Mariners are reminded of the requirement to navigate their vessels at all times at a speed commensurate with local circumstances and conditions. Experience indicates that, in the area Gravesend Reach and above, a speed in excess of 10 knots through the water can be liable to injure or endanger persons, other vessels or property. Due care should be taken in the vicinity of vessels moored and working on berths closely adjacent to the navigation channel, particularly when these vessels are handling dangerous goods and displaying the red flag or light required by Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations.
And a further paragraph - quote...
"A master who navigates his vessel on the Thames:
(a) without due care and attention; or
(b) in a manner liable to injure or endanger persons, other vessels, the banks of the Thames (whether above or below mean high water level) or any structure or installation in or beside the Thames;
shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine upon conviction.
So, it all seems to rest upon interpretation of the above given the prevailing circumstances and the only mention of an absolute speed is the "10 Knots" quoted above - unless, of course, someone here has more definitive (rather than anecdotal) evidence?
PS - note the speed mentioned is 10knots THROUGH THE WATER and not over the ground!
MoBoChat Images and Profile Pics at www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/mobochat<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by boatone on 10/07/2002 19:14 (server time).</FONT></P>