Thought for the day: Regattas

[DogsBody]

Reading the thread about that nasty bridge that refused to give way to the rowers reminded me of another rower related issue that concerns me, namely regattas.

Firstly, I freely admit that it isn't only rowing clubs that organise regattas on the river (us MoBos do too) but rowing regattas are most common. My concern is that given that the EA openly state they only aim to maintain the middle third of the river at a navigable depth, what happens when a regatta is on and the majority of river users are forced into the outer third, or in some cases the outer quarter of the river, which the EA do not make any claim as to suitability for navigation?

Are we to assume that the EA have checked the channel near the bank before agreeing to the regatta being held? Is the organisation putting on the regatta obligated to do so? Or are we supposed to just blindly assume that there will be sufficient depth outside of the EA's "maintained" channel because someone in a dingy put a sign pointing us over in that direction?

I'm thinking for instance of the Temple to Marlow reach, where I've seen the navigable river reduced to way less than a third during regattas and then further reduced by overhanging trees / other obstructions to single file traffic in a few spots, if I were to hit the bottom in one of these areas, who would I claim damages from, since I'm being instructed to navigate outside the normal channel?

DogsBody.

 

[boatone]

Are we to assume that the EA have checked the channel near the bank before agreeing to the regatta being held? Is the organisation putting on the regatta obligated to do so? Or are we supposed to just blindly assume that there will be sufficient depth outside of the EA's "maintained" channel because someone in a dingy put a sign pointing us over in that direction?

I'm thinking for instance of the Temple to Marlow reach, where I've seen the navigable river reduced to way less than a third during regattas and then further reduced by overhanging trees / other obstructions to single file traffic in a few spots, if I were to hit the bottom in one of these areas, who would I claim damages from, since I'm being instructed to navigate outside the normal channel?.

Unfortunately, I think you already know the answers to your questions.
Our boats are our responsibility and, as far as navigation is concerned it is down to us to ensure we don't put our boats at risk.
I share your concerns, particularly the issue regarding depths outside the middle third of the river - which, in itself, is a pretty arbitrary definition.

As for claiming for damage, I suspect your insurers are your most likely source of comfort. Let them pursue third parties if they consider it appropriate.

 

[DogsBody]

Unfortunately, I think you already know the answers to your questions.
Our boats are our responsibility and, as far as navigation is concerned it is down to us to ensure we don't put our boats at risk.
I share your concerns, particularly the issue regarding depths outside the middle third of the river - which, in itself, is a pretty arbitrary definition.

As for claiming for damage, I suspect your insurers are your most likely source of comfort. Let them pursue third parties if they consider it appropriate.

I tend to agree with the above, which gives good reason, does it not, to ignore regatta notices pointing one into a narrow, potentially shallow channel, if we have reason to believe it could put our boat at risk. Worth remembering next time one is asked to navigate around a regatta...

 

[boatone]

I tend to agree with the above, which gives good reason, does it not, to ignore regatta notices pointing one into a narrow, potentially shallow channel, if we have reason to believe it could put our boat at risk. Worth remembering next time one is asked to navigate around a regatta...

Unfortunately just ignoring the notices will get you in even more trouble:

And Notice is hereby given, that it is provided by Byelaw 52 of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws, 1993 that:
The master of any vessel shall except in an emergency not pass any boat-race regatta public procession or gathering for the launch of a vessel or any other event or function which may cause a crowd to assemble on or by the river nor station his vessel thereon in such a manner as would risk obstructing impeding or interfering with such boat-race regatta procession launching event or function or endangering the safety of persons assembling on the river or preventing or interfering with the maintenance of order thereon.
The maximum penalty for breach of the Byelaws is £1,000

As far as I am aware, except for Henley, local organisers are trusted to place the diversion signs and buoys in accordance with an approved plan but I don't think anyone ever checks as a matter of course. Also, as I know you know, not only are we denied passage in the area they have cordoned off, but they use the navigation to move up and down outside the racing.

I won't ram the TMBA down your throat but this is yet another reason why we need strong representation to protect our interests.

 

[apollo]

Unfortunately just ignoring the notices will get you in even more trouble:


As far as I am aware, except for Henley, local organisers are trusted to place the diversion signs and buoys in accordance with an approved plan but I don't think anyone ever checks as a matter of course. Also, as I know you know, not only are we denied passage in the area they have cordoned off, but they use the navigation to move up and down outside the racing.

I won't ram the TMBA down your throat but this is yet another reason why we need strong representation to protect our interests.

What a load of old....>!

So we pay £700 a year for some unqualified person to cordon off the river for their club event without any inspection by EA and with no checks made on depth. And any claims are only valid for centre third.

At the very least the ruling should be that the centre third is not touched. Have you raised that with EA?

 

[boatone]

At the very least the ruling should be that the centre third is not touched. Have you raised that with EA?

No, I have not, as I think it would be unrealistic to expect that. There are so many issues that need to be addressed that it is important to prioritise and recognise the steps we can take that are likely to have the most beneficial effect. At the moment my focus is on building the subscribed membership of the TMBA to a number that can exercise real influence - i.e. we represent X number of licence payers. X needs to be as many as possible!

I know that you belong to an ATYC club - have you asked them to raise this issue?

 

[apollo]

Have you not even asked their thoughts in an off record conversation?

 

[boatone]

Have you not even asked their thoughts in an off record conversation?

What I may, or may not, ask people in off record conversations are, by definition, off the record so I cannot possibly answer your question !