Shepperton problems

[scoffey]

From perusing the pontoons at Southampton I have heard from a few Thames boaters about depth problems in and around Shepperton that have caused boats to run aground and ruled out certain moorings. Have any of you experienced similar problems? If so, please PM me and we will investigate.

 

[apollo]

And you are?

What about the moorings at the Brocas in Windsor, we have been harping on about them too for eons...!

 

[StewartC]

That is Sally, MBM's News and Features Writer.

 

[Forbsie]

Why doesn't she get a fancy login name then? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[StewartC]

A bit more info on offer now.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

I got 27ft depth on the sonars on the bend near the cricket club moorings and upper halliford by Gibbs. maybe if they do some versi-dredging they could fill up those holes with the spoil?
I've not checked the moorings at Shepperton (will do sunday probably) I'd have thought the cricket club moorings were deep enough and the bottom of the weir is definitely deep. Where in Shepperton is there a problem?? Apart from Desborough island I mean, and thats not a depth problem.

 

[ms1]

Welcome to the Forum Sally.
7 metres on the bend outside Desborough Sailing Club.
Been based Shepperton marina for 9 years, I know of no depth problems in the area at any of the recognisable mooring spots. There is one mooring problem at "Mrs Lyndseys" aka cricket club aka Shepperton Manor Park but that's because of the bloke that lives there illegally on his boat and for which Spelthorne Council have yet to find a solution. But please come to Shepperton and do a personal inspection, we'd like to meet you.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

>>>
do a personal inspection, we'd like to meet you
>>>

mmm, pub...MBM hospitality budget...mmm...yes, lets all meet up

 

[scoffey]

Hello,

Sorry guys, I should have introduced myself. I am indeed News and Features writer at MBM and I specifically cover inland news. We just heard whisperings about Shepperton at Southampton so we will be heading down there to check it out. If you have had any problems there or at any other point on the river with regards depth/lack of dredging then please drop me a line off thread and I will look into it (I get the feeling I may be opening a can of worms here).

 

[boatone]

Having thought about this further, I wonder if what you overheard may have been with reference to the recently improved bankside mooring stretch just downriver from Walton Marina ? This stretch is shallow and I , for one, certainly can't get alongside there.

Important to differentiate between depths in the navigation channel and depths bankside. EA are responsible for maintaing channel but not for bankside.

As said before, certainly not aware of any depth issues in channel around Shepperton area. Caversham, Clifton Hampden and Abingdon all cause grief though.
Earlier thread re Caversham HERE

 

[Chris_d]

Wondering if its just chinese whispers relating to the Fairline Targa incident near Shepperton, he erm... definately ran aground /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Certainly worse elsewhere though, I hit the bottom twice last weekend at Abingdon, just off the cruiser station below the bridge and just below Redline Outboards, i was fairly midstream each time.

 

[Brayman]

Although the EA claim to keep navigable depth in the fairway I do think that if they are offering 24 hour mooring then the least they could do is make sure we can get in there - and out the following morning!.

 

[boatone]

[ QUOTE ]
Although the EA claim to keep navigable depth in the fairway I do think that if they are offering 24 hour mooring then the least they could do is make sure we can get in there - and out the following morning!.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, I should have said "except where they have 24 hour moorings"

So, key question......should bankside depth be the same as the fairway?

 

[apollo]

[ QUOTE ]
should bankside depth be the same as the fairway

[/ QUOTE ]

That was always the charter when Thames Concervancy were running it, its the EA that have done the cop out to just the fairway.

As has been said before, not much use being able to float up and down the middle and tie up at nice refurbished locks if you cannot tie up to the bank overnight.

Never see any mention of THAT in the River Thames Alliance minutes! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Chris_d]

I hit the bottom in the fairway /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif well just off centre.

 

[boatone]

[ QUOTE ]
....I hit the bottom twice last weekend at Abingdon, just off the cruiser station below the bridge and just below Redline Outboards, i was fairly midstream each time.

[/ QUOTE ]

I got well and truly stuck midstream in early July, just by the Abingdon fuelling point /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Had to give it loads of astern welly and wiggles with bow thruster to get off !!

 

[Chris_d]

Sounds like the same spot., the stream does some funny things there as it exits the bridge and swirls back around upstream. I was moored about 2 or 3 boat lengths back from the bridge, when I cast off the stream takes you upstream towards the bridge. The shoal is on the opposite side though and down a bit.

 

[Brayman]

The shoal is basically a continuation of the slipway at the boat centre, I checked with the owner in July and he was hoping the EA vacuum cleaner/dredger would attack it while it was there - it seems it didn't!