The rowers srtike again

[alistairedw]

The rib did not physically push the cruiser out of the main channel. The owner of the cruiser told me that he moved out of the main channel because the rib escorting the rowers was not prepared to move out of the main channel.

The cruiser owner was not familiar with this section of the Thames and therefore did not realise that the river is very shallow outside the narrow central channel (except around high water). The cruiser had a draught of 3 foot 6 inches.

The rib was in breach of the PLA byelaws which state:

Rowing boats shall whenever possible navigate outside the main channel or fairway.

A rowing boat which for any reason has to navigate within the main channel or fairway shall not impede the passage of a vessel which because of draught or size can safely navigate only within the main channel.

 

[Chrusty1]

Many thanks for the extra info, I think I still stand by my comments re. disgraceful behaviour.

 

[Loginname]

..and, on the basis of what we've now been told, I agree! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Richard Shead]

agree 100% sounds like the RIB was bang out of order however that stretch is really not the place to be approaching low water in a boat that draws over three feet!

That does not excuse the rib though....

 

[chuckaduck]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think it was the Twickenham mob. They do not use ribs.

I went down the Tideway yesterday and noticed a rowing club upstream from Chiswick bridge which uses large black ribs as support boats.

It was the Twickenham rowing regatta yesterday so a lot of downstream rowing clubs will have been coming upstream to practice on the regatta course.

[/ QUOTE ]

actually you are right it then must have been the richmond lot they just as bad

 

[boatone]

[ QUOTE ]
.....however that stretch is really not the place to be approaching low water in a boat that draws over three feet!

[/ QUOTE ]

Surely that is all down to the state of the tide (not just time but whether springs or neaps etc) and the knowledge of the skipper?

Provided he has calculated his passage wrt tide state and predicted depth, and is confident that he can navigate the channel safely, I see no reason why he should not proceed on his passage and it is for other vessels to recognise his status under the ColRegs and not impede him in the narrow channel.