kevburt
New Member
Due to comments made on another thread I felt that it might be worthwhile putting the following facts on here regarding the handling of Thames Barges:
Firstly a vessels size increases by volume therefore a 90 foot vessel it’s nearer 6 times the size of a 30 foot one. Also barges weigh something in the region of a hundred tons.
Secondly although they have a shallow draft for their size this is counteracted by high windage, sometimes this means that to manoeuvre slowly the leeboards need to be lowered increasing draft by several feet.
Thirdly they have a very large turning circle and most of them have an engine to one side of centre restricting their ability to turn.
Fourthly there is a very large blind spot directly in front of the bow.
In view of the above facts, discussions have taken place with the MCA who have asserted that Barges come under Rule 9 as a "vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway."
Rule 9
(b) A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can
safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
As such when motoring in any such area Barges are required to keep as far to the starboard side of the channel as they can and maintain course and speed so that any vessels of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel can take appropriate action to avoid them.
In spite of this generally speaking as fellow sailors, Bargemen will try to avoid causing disruption to vessels sailing especially if they are doing something like beating up against wind and tide but in general we can’t be expected to know whether the other vessel will go beyond the channel before tacking so trying to slow down or turn would only create difficulty as the other craft could then tack across our bows and we might not be able to see them do so.
Firstly a vessels size increases by volume therefore a 90 foot vessel it’s nearer 6 times the size of a 30 foot one. Also barges weigh something in the region of a hundred tons.
Secondly although they have a shallow draft for their size this is counteracted by high windage, sometimes this means that to manoeuvre slowly the leeboards need to be lowered increasing draft by several feet.
Thirdly they have a very large turning circle and most of them have an engine to one side of centre restricting their ability to turn.
Fourthly there is a very large blind spot directly in front of the bow.
In view of the above facts, discussions have taken place with the MCA who have asserted that Barges come under Rule 9 as a "vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway."
Rule 9
(b) A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can
safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
As such when motoring in any such area Barges are required to keep as far to the starboard side of the channel as they can and maintain course and speed so that any vessels of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel can take appropriate action to avoid them.
In spite of this generally speaking as fellow sailors, Bargemen will try to avoid causing disruption to vessels sailing especially if they are doing something like beating up against wind and tide but in general we can’t be expected to know whether the other vessel will go beyond the channel before tacking so trying to slow down or turn would only create difficulty as the other craft could then tack across our bows and we might not be able to see them do so.
