oldgit
Well-known member
Anybody know what was going on...nothing heard on Ch 74.
The Wizzy New Police Rib came past today Flat out with the Blue lights flashing up towards M2 Bridge
- Thread starter oldgit
- Start date
xyachtdave
Well-known member
Houseboat relocation?
RivalRedwing
Well-known member
Late for tea
johnalison
Well-known member
Report of a hate crime.
Sticky Fingers
Well-known member
They’ve nothing better to do. We got stopped by one in the tidal Thames a few weeks ago for ‘speeding’ which we interpreted as ‘going faster than they wanted us to go’ or ‘your boat is too nice’, and for ‘driving on the wrong side of the channel when there was no other traffic whatsoever’ which was a victimless offence if indeed it was one.
Juan Twothree
Well-known member
Whereabouts on the tidal Thames?
Juan Twothree
Well-known member
Where was it going past when you saw it?
GEM43
Active member
No, it’s not this really but it’s good fun viewing nonetheless!
Sticky Fingers
Well-known member
Stopped at the tidal barrier but the perceived ‘offences’ were committed way downstream of there
Juan Twothree
Well-known member
There's a speed limit of 12 knots above Margaretness.
The PLA are quite strict on enforcing their bylaws and General Directions, one of which is to navigate on the correct side of the river.
It sounds like they might have been observing you on radar as you made your way upriver, so asked the Met Police to speak to you
I'm surprised they didn't mention it when you called up on ch.14 for permission for the barrier.
M Hill
New member
I was running late for a high tide pick up at the London Eye at Easter, cut several of the corners to make up some time (while doing 40kts) as we slowed on approach to Margaretness and the barrier control zone we where hailed on 14 and the operators stated, "My instruments indicate you have been failing to navigate in accordance with the river bylaws and in contravention of IRPCS" I replied, "my apologies we have been navigating with due regard for rules 5 & 6 whilst making best speed for a scheduled arrival and attempting to save a few minutes where safe to do so. Please consider us duly warned & reprimanded!"
We heard nothing more and got span allocation and clearance for the barrier.
oldgit
Well-known member
OG was hailed on CH 14 and was politely but firmly told that we were exceeding the speed limit for my type of vessel in the area and were requested to ease up until past Margaret Ness .
Had just passed the Tilbury Ferry and having just been passed by a Uber doing 30 knots, erroneously believed it was OK to go up to 15/16 knots probably with about 3/4 knots of tide under the boat.
One of the Police Targas was observed coming in the opposite direction with its blue light flashing ,it may well have been coming over to say "Hello" but lost interest when we answered the VTS call thanked him for his advice and slowed up.
Did receive a telephone phone call shortly afterwards from a vessel working on the river to point out that my telling off on Ch14 had been noted and might be bought up at some future date.
Had just passed the Tilbury Ferry and having just been passed by a Uber doing 30 knots, erroneously believed it was OK to go up to 15/16 knots probably with about 3/4 knots of tide under the boat.
One of the Police Targas was observed coming in the opposite direction with its blue light flashing ,it may well have been coming over to say "Hello" but lost interest when we answered the VTS call thanked him for his advice and slowed up.
Did receive a telephone phone call shortly afterwards from a vessel working on the river to point out that my telling off on Ch14 had been noted and might be bought up at some future date.
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Juan Twothree
Well-known member
OG was hailed on CH 14 and was politely but firmly told that we were exceeding the speed limit for my type of vessel in the area and were requested to ease up until past Margaret Ness .
Had just passed the Tilbury Ferry and having just been passed by a Uber doing 30 knots, erroneously believed it was OK to go up to 15/16 knots probably with about 3/4 knots of tide under the boat.
One of the Police Targas was observed coming in the opposite direction with its blue light flashing ,it may well have been coming over to say "Hello" but lost interest when we answered the VTS call thanked him for his advice and slowed up.
Did receive a telephone phone call shortly afterwards from a vessel working on the river to point out that my telling off on Ch14 had been noted and might be bought up at some future date.
Do you mean the Woolwich Ferry?
The Ubers and rib tours boats have a dispensation to exceed the 12 knot limit, but have to display a flashing orange light whilst doing so.
Similarly,the police, fire and RNLI boats have to display their blue flashing lights whilst travelling at speed.
It seems very odd/sinister that someone should phone you. How did they get your phone number? Or was it a DSC call over the VHF?
oldgit
Well-known member
Yes, it was the Woolwich Ferry and we were navigating via a rather out of date "Not For Navigation" under any circumstances, chartlet issued by PLA some considerable time ago with no mention of any speed limit in the area.
Nothing very sinister , in previous life worked on the water towing lighters and barges and more amusing that you cannot transgress without half the boating world knowing it was yours truly.
On our trip up to West India we departed 04.30 pre dawn and not far from Darnet Fort on the Mudway spotted the lights of a vessel coming round the corner from the direction of Sheerness somewhat in excess of the 6 knot speed limit.
As we discovered, a Shannon Class can make several large holes in the water
They were on call to try and discover the source of a Eprib alert further upstream.
In the end proved to be a false alarm.
Nothing very sinister , in previous life worked on the water towing lighters and barges and more amusing that you cannot transgress without half the boating world knowing it was yours truly.
On our trip up to West India we departed 04.30 pre dawn and not far from Darnet Fort on the Mudway spotted the lights of a vessel coming round the corner from the direction of Sheerness somewhat in excess of the 6 knot speed limit.
As we discovered, a Shannon Class can make several large holes in the water
They were on call to try and discover the source of a Eprib alert further upstream.
In the end proved to be a false alarm.
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