red board accidents?

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phild501

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Does anybody have any experience of accidents actually caused by fast river flow when under red boards?

I totally appreciate the EA have to advise against using the river when fast flowing but I still see a lot of boats out when red boards are up. We took our boat out following the floods in early summer and I got a bit red faced after receiving stern words from various lockkeepers. I decided then I was probably a bit reckless venturing out at all.
 
Oh yes, I've seen many, when I used to live just above Penton Hook lock.

Most not serious, but there was a fatal accident once involving a rowing eight.
 
Yes, I was on the receiving end of one on Sunday morning. Just spoke to the insurance company, didn't even ask about river conditions. I was actually moored att he time!
 
I rember when Lazy Days, the ADLS boat, was dragged onto the low wall below Eton Bridge and was close to sinking, saved by her protective concrete sheating at the time. I've also seen a cruiser dragged sideways onto Chertsey weir. (I know it didn't come to any harm but can't remember how it got off).

IanC
 
Sunday morning was....interesting to say the least!

I think I heard about your incident on ch 10.

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
This happened under Red boards and it didn't even leave its moorings, just didn't tend the lines properly:
IMG_2077.jpg


This lock has a red board out:
IMG_1616.jpg


Actualy just an excuse to show those photos again /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif but never underestimate the power of the river.
 
this was just upstream of Folly Bridge in Oxford last summer.

plod2007065.jpg


I think the lock-keepers should give people cards with a picture like this on rather than a red warning card when it is unsafe to navigate.
 
It depends

[ QUOTE ]
As with roads, are there know accident black spots on the Thames that one should avoid when yellow/red boards are displayed?

[/ QUOTE ]

on the capabilities of the boat and your confidence; so I'll mention "challenges" to be aware of-
<ul type="square">
Anywhere upstream of Oxford, bendy bits, narrow channel and weirs
House weir at Osney
Eddy at downstream layby at Sandford
Ditto at Abingdon
upstream weir at Clifton
Downstream weir at Culham
ditto at Benson
ditto at Mapledurham
Sonning bridge and weir stream going up
Upstream weir at Marlow
Eddy downstream at Bray
Upstream weir at Chertsey
Whirlpool (yes!) in stream leading to the river Wey at Shepperton
[/list]

In fact if there's any doubt at all I'd not go out......

The river is a dangerous place and most folk are just not aware of it until you're pushed / pulled in an unexpected direction
 
Re: It depends

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
As with roads, are there know accident black spots on the Thames that one should avoid when yellow/red boards are displayed?

[/ QUOTE ]

on the capabilities of the boat and your confidence; so I'll mention "challenges" to be aware of-
<ul type="square">
Anywhere upstream of Oxford, bendy bits, narrow channel and weirs
House weir at Osney
Eddy at downstream layby at Sandford
Ditto at Abingdon
upstream weir at Clifton
Downstream weir at Culham
ditto at Benson
ditto at Mapledurham
Sonning bridge and weir stream going up
Upstream weir at Marlow
Eddy downstream at Bray
Upstream weir at Chertsey
Whirlpool (yes!) in stream leading to the river Wey at Shepperton
[/list]

In fact if there's any doubt at all I'd not go out......

The river is a dangerous place and most folk are just not aware of it until you're pushed / pulled in an unexpected direction

[/ QUOTE ]

Think you missed a few bad ones;

Downstream exit of Days, strong currents straight across the lock entrance.
Goring Upstream and downstream very strong currents onto layby and under the bridge.
Pangbourne upstream, nearly always pulled hard onto the piles.
Loads of bridges that are tricky if you have anything uptop and need to hit the apex of the arch dead centre, Godstow, Folly, Clifton, Wallingford, Sonning, Henley.

Its all doable but if your not concentrating you could rapidly do a lot of damage.
 
Re: It depends

Concentration and even planning are the keys, don't just assume all is calm and simple.

Having fought through Sonning Bridge on Monday I was a bit taken aback when a boat from T&K who had just been out for a run between locks said "what's all the fuss, it's quite calm out there"
I suggested he tried the locks and bridges.
 
Re: It depends

The weir stream running across the bridge entrance below Sonning is certainly an interesting challenge ! Also, exiting Marsh lock heading down can be a bit like surfing as you go through the weir stream.

All head weirs are a real hazard if you dont get clear through them when arriving at the lock as the undertow can be lethal. Old Windsor head weir is particularly dangerous as it stretches two thirds of the way across the river and you really do need to punch through it to reach the safety of the cut.

Glad somebody mentioned Shepperton ! Coming out of the Wey to get into the river can be really exciting if all the sluices are open and a strong stream. You get swept right across and round the Weybridge bank which you could quite likely get smashed against.
Also, heading up, the pull of the weir above the lock is a good 'un.
 
Re: It depends

Going downstream from Hambleden lock in red board conditions; usually try and head over into the weir stream always thinking I'm on the wrong side & what if a NB comes round the corner.

Going upstream through Sonning Bridge judging the side current also a bit worrying.

Was at Hurley Lock on Sunday afternoon getting boat ready for engine to be lifted out, hire boats tied up in the lock cut etc, noticable only boats seen on the move were two NB's. Don't they worry about red boards?

IanC
 
Correction

Sorry, for Culham substitute Days.

Culham is a pussy cat as the weir stream comes in at an angle, through a wide channel and IIRC, the head weirs are split into three separated sections with good pools below them "Culham pools" (nice for fishing) with the result that you don't get a narrow "pipe" of water.


I recall I say some time ago that as most folks use their craft in what used to be a summer season (remember them?) and then come out in Yellow / Red conditions, the often don't know how to cope with problems, usually near locks.
 
Re: Correction

Yes I used to do a lot of winter day boating, however have been locked in on my stetch for the last few years due to lock closures.
Looking forward to a few winter runs this year, any idea if the powered out of hours lock times change in the winter?
 
Re: Correction

[ QUOTE ]
Yes I used to do a lot of winter day boating, however have been locked in on my stretch for the last few years due to lock closures.
Looking forward to a few winter runs this year, any idea if the powered out of hours lock times change in the winter?

[/ QUOTE ]

Officially yes, 7 a.m. to closing time + 2 hours.

In practice NO 'cos a third party is supposed to set the clocks, but EA can't afford to pay them...... (my supposition entirely)
 
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