Speed Limits

[smth448]

The River Medway has a 6 knot speed limit above Folly Point. Below that it is a free for all.
We notice that when we are racing in a reasonable breeze we can easily exceed the speed limit and start overtaking all the Mobos that are sticking to the speed limit. They generally do. The high performance dinghies are whacking along considerably faster than we are so the question is. Could we be done for speeding while under sail?

 

[l'escargot]

The River Medway has a 6 knot speed limit above Folly Point. Below that it is a free for all.
We notice that when we are racing in a reasonable breeze we can easily exceed the speed limit and start overtaking all the Mobos that are sticking to the speed limit. They generally do. The high performance dinghies are whacking along considerably faster than we are so the question is. Could we be done for speeding while under sail?

Depends of the wording of the byelaw, some specify that speed limits apply to "power driven vessels" which doesn't include boats under sail.

 

[tillergirl]

Bye-law No 22

22. No person shall navigate a vessel

(3) without the written permission of the harbour master, and subject to paragraphs (1) and (2) above at a speed exceeding
(a) six knots through the water Westwards of the longitude of Folly Point,
(b) eight knots through the water in Queenborough Harbour, within the area between a line joining Swale Ness and Queenborough Point and a line drawn 270 degrees from Long Point to the shore,
(c) eight knots through the water South of Kingsferry Bridge,
(d) provided that this byelaw shall not apply:-
(e) where the vessel is being used for fire, rescue, ambulance, law enforcement or police purpose or the purpose of the Authority's harbour service, if the observance of the byelaw would be likely to hinder the use of the vessel for the purpose for which it is being used on that occasion.

A 'vessel' for the purposes of the Bye-laws is:

"vessel" means every description of vessel, however propelled or moved, and includes a hovercraft, a hydrofoil vessel, anything constructed or used to carry a person, or persons or goods by water and a seaplane on or in the water;

So the answer is 'yes'

 

[Elessar]

The River Medway has a 6 knot speed limit above Folly Point. Below that it is a free for all.
We notice that when we are racing in a reasonable breeze we can easily exceed the speed limit and start overtaking all the Mobos that are sticking to the speed limit. They generally do. The high performance dinghies are whacking along considerably faster than we are so the question is. Could we be done for speeding while under sail?

Demonstrates the folly of speed limits.
At 10 knots you will make no wake and can turn on a sixpence.
At 6 knots the "im under the limit" 5m RIB is causing discomfort or worse for all those moored boats.
The limit prohibits the wrong boat.
Don't slow down it would only be a fool that enforces the rule. But don't forget to give way to the mobos