Southampton to thames estuary

[Infliction466]

Hi there im new to this page, im just looking into bringing a boat from Southampton up the Thames what would I need in order to do this, the boat is designed for tidal waters I was just wondering how hard the passage would be and how long it would take many thanks
Liam

 

[Pump-Out]

How far up the Thames?

 

[alant]

Hi there im new to this page, im just looking into bringing a boat from Southampton up the Thames what would I need in order to do this, the boat is designed for tidal waters I was just wondering how hard the passage would be and how long it would take many thanks
Liam

What boat, what crew?
Easily done in stages if not sure, Southampton to Brighton, Brighton to Dover, Dover to Margate for example.

 

[Infliction466]

Hi there I have two crew and. My self, would like to try and do it asap really what would we need to do in alerting authorities or coast guard would we need to tell anyone, I can read maps and use GPS and compass etc just after tips and what I need lifejackets etc got all the basics just do I need to tell anyone and can it be done

 

[Infliction466]

The boat is also a tug boat so not short on power at all

 

[sailorman]

Hi there I have two crew and. My self, would like to try and do it asap really what would we need to do in alerting authorities or coast guard would we need to tell anyone, I can read maps and use GPS and compass etc just after tips and what I need lifejackets etc got all the basics just do I need to tell anyone and can it be done

 

[LittleSister]

You will need to understand tides and weather, and be sure about the reliability of your boat and its gear. Without those, or if in any other doubt do not go!

It is an easy trip if done in the right conditions, and an appalling and dangerous one if done in the wrong ones.

As someone has already advised, it can be broken into stages.

I would caution against being in too much of a hurry to set off. This time of year the days are short, and the weather often adverse. You would be best to wait for a period of calm weather, but at this time of year that means very cold - beware of hypothermia and ice/frost on decks.

 

[Tomahawk]

What boat, what crew?
Easily done in stages if not sure, Southampton to Brighton, Brighton to Dover, Dover to Margate for example.

Dover to Margate.... ??
Does your boat take hard ground?
And can it walk?

 

[alant]

Dover to Margate.... ??
Does your boat take hard ground?
And can it walk?

It's the start of the Thames Estuary, which is what the OP wanted.
Stop over in Ramsgate if needed.

 

[oldgit]

A tug boat.
This could mean anything from a 400 ton BP ocean going leviathon to a 60Hp dock tosher with 6" of freeboard.
Over a certain size you will need to contact the port control folks on your journey.If smaller,then off you go.
Only caveat will be speed in a small tug and you will need to plan your hops accordingly.
Arranging moorings will also be a factor as not all your stops or diversions will have commercial bouys and many marinas will not want anything sporting a full set of old manky lorry tyres lying alongside a gin palace.
We have a tug company outside the front door.
The tug size depends on wether you want to tow from a local wharf or back from Cape town or The Phillipines
More details please.
For anybody interested in tugs.
http://www.thamestugs.co.uk/
[url]http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/SETS.html
[/URL]

 

[[159032]]

Hi there I have two crew and. My self, would like to try and do it asap really what would we need to do in alerting authorities or coast guard would we need to tell anyone, I can read maps and use GPS and compass etc just after tips and what I need lifejackets etc got all the basics just do I need to tell anyone and can it be done

Really easy.
Send £739.47 to me and I will sort it all out.

 

[Infliction466]

The tug boat is being used as pleasure vessel and comes under 13.7m power wise is 200 hp Gardner, thanks for your help. Who would I need to contact in ramsgate to organise mooring there for one night. I understand tides and weather conditions.

 

[oldgit]

Suspect your craft is more capable of doing that journey,with weather more likely to make the journey uncomfortable rather than anything else.Can put you in touch with a member of our local tug preservation society for practical info on your proposed voyage.If winter a liferaft or dinghy vital.
As for berthing a phone call to the harbour master at Ramsgate (less fuss than Dover) should get you a mooring suitable for your boat,probably near the windmill support fleet.
You will probably want to avoid any of the shallower inshore routes after Ramsgate and stick to the commercial shipping channels due to your draft.
You should be able to get up to and beyond Teddington.
Good luck.

 

[Infliction466]

Thats great thank you, we have charts and GPS I have done map courses and I know how to handle a boat is this route easy for novices if you could put me into contact that would be brilliant many thanks

 

[alant]

The tug boat is being used as pleasure vessel and comes under 13.7m power wise is 200 hp Gardner, thanks for your help. Who would I need to contact in ramsgate to organise mooring there for one night. I understand tides and weather conditions.

Recommend doing so, also don't forget it's a ferry port, so other commercial stuff in/out.
I've done this trip many times, so give me a shout if still concerned.

PS going into, or passing Dover, Dover Port Control need contacting.

 

[Infliction466]

Okay thanks can you call them to let them know or is it vhf

 

[sarabande]

"I have done map courses"


Ordnance Survey is really quite useful, isn't it ?

 

[Chris_d]

You don't have to contact Dover port control unless entering the harbour or passing very close, stay a mile or two off and you'll be fine.
However you will know all this from when you do your passage plan and read your Almanac for port controls, you WILL need a VHF and an operators license. Perhaps a delivery skipper would be a good idea.

 

[alant]

You don't have to contact Dover port control unless entering the harbour or passing very close, stay a mile or two off and you'll be fine.
However you will know all this from when you do your passage plan and read your Almanac for port controls, you WILL need a VHF and an operators license. Perhaps a delivery skipper would be a good idea.

With all the ferries in/out, good idea to call them even if in transit, just to advise intentions.

 

[oldgit]

Take particular care when transiting any of the headlands. it is possible to get things wrong, folks do still seem to manage it.
Will get an email address for one of the crew of the "Kent" and end it to you via a PM.

Picture taken while ago,Local Medway historic tugs attendrd an event near Tower Bridge.