Stream increasing on the Thames

[angelaquayle]

No surprisingly, river conditions are changing rapidly because of the weather. This is the latest which is on the EA website in the navigation section/Lock closures and river conditions.

20/07/07
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO MASTERS OF VESSELS

Masters of all vessels are advised to secure a safe mooring and to stop navigating the river until the stream abates.

Due to the very heavy rain so far today 20 July 2007, and forecast to continue, Thames weirs are being opened very quickly. This will result in the stream increasing to potentially dangerous levels as early as this afternoon. Red Strong Stream warning boards are already being displayed at a number of Thames locks.

Our advice to masters of all types of vessel is not to navigate and for vessels already out on the river to find a secure mooring as soon as possible. Masters of vessels should be aware that a failure to follow the advice of the Navigation Authority not to navigate may invalidate an insurance policy

 

[bradtarga34]

Thanks for letting us know, much appreciated!

 

[nickcred]

O No not again lol I hope it decreases for tomorrow I cant deal with another weekend being given red cards /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[whisper]

Similar situation on the Upper Avon. River was at about 50mm above normal Summer level yesterday evening. Went up by about 600mm by lunch time today. Storm has knocked out my printer, a laptop and Sky digibox.
I've cleaned the mud off the landing stage twice in the last 6 weeks and would have to do it again next week but I'm going to Kingsbridge to do some "proper boating" instead. Nobody warned me how dirty this river lark was.
My boat was floating at the top of the slipway at 7p.m. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. Off now for another inspection.

Chaos on the roads around here today - took over an hour to do 14mls. Included much fording , some of which was rather hairy, 3 U turns and a lot of queueing.

Fire engines rushing about town on pumping out duties this evening.

Terribly sorry for those folk heading off, by road, on holiday today.

P.S.
River still rising quite quickly. Stern of dinghy now tied to a large tree.
Also feel sorry for the trip boat operators that must be having a "record" Summer, so far.

 

[Gavi]

And it flooded Conkers /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[1yppah]

Faced with another Sat at home looking AT the river I gave in an launched at Penton (21 ft bowrider 210hp V8), yes the stream was flowing and yes the lock keepers gave me a hard time. But all had life jackets on (3 of us) I knew what I was doing, but trying to tell this to the lock keeper without sounding like a know all so and so is actually quiet difficult! The stream was a little crazy but seemed to settle down a bit in the afternoon. Was very surprised to see quite a bit of traffic out and in fairness it was not worse than trying to navigate the lock at chichester during free flow.

so was i wrong to go out?

 

[bradtarga34]

You have taken suitable safety precautions with the life jackets and have loads of power, and as long as you are confident with your boat handling then I can't see a problem with going out. We were out on the weekend as well, just down to Kingston for the night, but took ages to get back with the strong stream running and had to keep the speed down due to wash. we had planned to stay at Hampton Court, but the moorings there were under water!

 

[pheran]

[ QUOTE ]
....... then I can't see a problem with going out

[/ QUOTE ] .............and you are totally prepared to deal with the situation if the motor should suddenly stop, the prop get jammed by debris etc etc etc. All a question of degree really, one man's fast stream is another man's raging torrent!

 

[boatone]

Reading some of these accounts of peeps going out in the current conditions made me initially wonder if I was veering towards being a bit of a wimp.

However, having thought it through I am definitely of the opinion that venturing out in these conditions 'for pleasure' is irresponsible.

As Pheran says an engine failure or collision with flotsam can instantly change an under control situation to out of control and downright dangerous. Even a slight misjudgement of stream conditions can lead to a close encounter with weirs and bridges etc. What about the risk to others if you get into difficulties and need help?

 

[1yppah]

Yep, boat serviced and run for 45 mins before even leaving marina.

anchor secured, lines on on all corners and one spare, kept way out the way from any weir stream and stood all day to avoid any rubbish coming down.

all in all a fantastic day but could not help feeling guilty about being on the river especially with all the looks I was getting from those living by the river!

BUT I did see a moonraker picking up several for a wedding in Staines, the skipper clearly knew what her was doing but there was a lot of high heels and fizz being drunk by the guests on the back deck.

A viking 23 with a 9.9hp and a narrow boat heading out, I did think that perhaps this was a little underpowered for the conditions.

Just my opinion of course!

 

[bradtarga34]

I think a flotilla cruise with boatone in the lead would be the go, that steel hull would be the ultimate Thames flotsam breaker, just a pity about the dangling bits underneath though /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[1yppah]

Agreed but I would like to point out that Sat was not as bad as yesterday or today.

 

[Gavi]

[ QUOTE ]
Agreed but I would like to point out that Sat was not as bad as yesterday or today.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is certainly pretty quick:

Bottom of garden vid

We've just about managed to squeeze Shikara onto next door's mooring as ours is under water.

 

[akirk]

Sounds responsible enough, and why not? After all prop stopping etc. is likely to be less of an issue than the same happening on a singl prop boat off the coast with the wind picking up...

yes the Thames can be dangerous, but ultimately sensible precautions win the day - up here at Lechlade, the boats which were moored up, while not pleasant, they could hop overboard into the field and wade across to the road, the river itself was running fast, but the fields were fine...

there were a few people on the river up here, but mainly checking that the holiday boats were all okay...

 

[Chris_d]

I think the problem is not that you weren't competent and the boat capable, but that you almost certainly weren't insured. The EA advise as of 20/07/07 was not to navigate, if you navigated againest the navigation authorities advise you are almost definately not insured.
I certainly wouldn't have been too chuffed if you hit my boat under those circumstances.

 

[1yppah]

So what about all of the pleasure cruisers out and about?

 

[Brayman]

They aren't about any more - all holiday makers have been lifted off, some boats returned by yard staff, others left on the bankside (especually Abingdon)

 

[1yppah]

Sorry I meant passenger boats, I guess they are not on today but there were plenty on Sat and the usual between Tedd and Richmond yesterday and I have never seen the flow so bad through Richmond at low tide. It was screaming past the canoe club but the Turks launches were out as was the merry thames (huge dory type thing!)

 

[Chris_d]

This is the quote from the EA site:

Quote:

20/07/07
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO MASTERS OF VESSELS

Masters of all vessels are advised to secure a safe mooring and to stop navigating the river until the stream abates.

Due to the very heavy rain so far today 20 July 2007, and forecast to continue, Thames weirs are being opened very quickly. This will result in the stream increasing to potentially dangerous levels as early as this afternoon. Red Strong Stream warning boards are already being displayed at a number of Thames locks.

Our advice to masters of all types of vessel is not to navigate and for vessels already out on the river to find a secure mooring as soon as possible. Masters of vessels should be aware that a failure to follow the advice of the Navigation Authority not to navigate may invalidate an insurance policy

--------

 

[1yppah]

Also had this emailed today form the EA.


I think its fair to say Sat was a very diff day and for the record I would not attempt to take a boat out today......anyhow I can I am working!

NAVIGATION AUTHORITY

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO MASTERS OF VESSELS

VERY STRONG STREAM
WARNING

• Due to the very heavy rainfall in the Thames valley on Friday 20 July, we are experiencing very, very strong streams on the Thames. The river is already in flood in some places and this is likely to extend to the whole river during Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

• PLEASE STOP NAVIGATING AND MOOR YOUR BOAT IN A SAFE PLACE, PREFERABLY IN A MARINA OR A RECOGNISED MOORING.

• If the river goes out of its banks you may not have a safe exit from the boat, Please think about returning home or finding alternative accommodation until the stream abates.

ALL RIVERS ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE WHEN IN FLOOD
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE ANY RISKS

For updates please phone our FLOODLINE on 0845 9881188 and press 1 when asked, followed by 011131 for Thames specific river conditions information.

Masters of vessels should be aware that a failure to follow the advice of the Navigation Authority not to navigate may invalidate an insurance policy

E. McKEEVER
Harbourmaster
21 July 2007