Restaurant boat sinks by Richmond Bridge

Good Lord,
I've often wondered whether this could happen, but I believe it's the first such incident I've come across. While I can think of several possible reasons for a pontoon to "fail to rise", I've always felt that something with several big buoyant boats attached would fail to drag them down. I've felt that in my own situation, with just a couple of smallish boats on the pontoon the risk would be much greater, but still one which we have discounted over the years as negligible. I'll be very interested to hear the root cause of this incident in due course.
 
What a shame. That looked like an old boat with a lot of Thames history. I've seen her sister ship, it is/was a very nice example of Victorian carpentry.
 
Actionmat said:
I just drove passed and they've done a good job of refloating it.
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Likewise - all seems to be normal with the pontoon and the ex college barge. Clearly a very lucky escape from the situation as per the posted photos from last night; would love to hear more about what happened. Anyone?
 
Alan ashore said:
Good Lord,
I've often wondered whether this could happen, but I believe it's the first such incident I've come across. While I can think of several possible reasons for a pontoon to "fail to rise", I've always felt that something with several big buoyant boats attached would fail to drag them down. I've felt that in my own situation, with just a couple of smallish boats on the pontoon the risk would be much greater, but still one which we have discounted over the years as negligible. I'll be very interested to hear the root cause of this incident in due course.
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A similar thing happened in Weymouth inner harbour a couple of years ago. Only the quick actions of fishermen saved 16 boats that were tied to the pontoon. See here http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/10...th_Harbour_sparks_boat_owners_outcry/?ref=rss
 
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I think the pontoon is owned by Mark Edwards. We were friends with the guy who set up the restaurant. He lived just up river from us but died of cancer 5 years ago. His old house was wiped out by the 2014 flood too (made of wood). He would have been distraught about all this.

Gloriana used to use that mooring often....
 
Gavi said:
I think the pontoon is owned by Mark Edwards. We were friends with the guy who set up the restaurant. He lived just up river from us but died of cancer 5 years ago. His old house was wiped out by the 2014 flood too (made of wood). He would have been distraught about all this.

Gloriana used to use that mooring often....
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Thanks Gavi. I know Mike Turk owns many of the rights around there. He even owns the ones in the stream where the Ice Rink used to be.
 
byron said:
Thanks Gavi. I know Mike Turk owns many of the rights around there. He even owns the ones in the stream where the Ice Rink used to be.
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Yes... And some of them are up for sale I believe. Twickers based peeps may know more
 
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