Tidal Speed Limit Change?

[vjmehra]

I overheard some guys in the pub the other day talking about some new speed restrictions coming in, on the tidal thames. In essence there were two parts, I wasn't really sure whether both are proposals, sure things, or just ideas...but the gist of it was that certain commercial vessels would be given the right to go over the recommended 12 knot speed limit from Wandsworth and private boats may be limited to 12 knots in the current de-limited section.

Does anyone know if there is any truth (partial or otherwise) in this?

 

[Chris_d]

Isn't that already the case since 3 years ago? see the PLA website http://www.pla.co.uk/notice2mariners/index.cfm/flag/2/id/3294/site/navigation

 

[CJL]

NO!

The current speed restrictions are advisory. The new proposals are mandatory.

CJL

 

[vjmehra]

Yep, which basically means owning a RIB on the Thames is pointless as of 2nd December...

http://www.pla.co.uk/pdfs/maritime/T...14-07-2011.pdf

 

[vjmehra]

Not sure if its too late, but there is an e-petition online...

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/14987

 

[Ramage]

Petition signed (closes 26/11/2011).

 

[boatone]

Petition signed (closes 26/11/2011).

"If you collect 100,000 signatures, your e-petition could be debated in the House of Commons"

94 so far - no pressure then !

 

[watson1959]

"If you collect 100,000 signatures, your e-petition could be debated in the House of Commons"

94 so far - no pressure then !

also....emphasis on the magic word.

From findlaw.co.uk:

'However, whether or not an issue is debated in the House of Commons (even if it does receive 100,000 signatories) will be up to the Backbench Business Committee.

Since 100,000 signatories is arguably not a significant percentage of a nation of roughly 50 million, it is unlikely that a petition, unless demand is overwhelming (i.e. much more than 100,000 people), will end up in the House of Commons. On the flip side, this means that issues of real importance will be debated, which may not have been without the e-petitions scheme.'

Somehow I suspect this is not Democracy in Action

 

[Ramage]

Oh fine, let's not bother then.....


My boat probably would struggle to hit 12 knots anyway.....

 

[snapper]

I've not heard of anything new happenning to the limits.

I know there was a big noise made a couple of years back when the PLA tried to make a 12 knot limit mandatory for all vessells, but this was eventually relaxed to "advisory". There was a lot of publicity then plus a big petition.

Has a new mandatory limit been quietly slipped in with little publicity from PLA. I can't find anything on their website.

 

[vjmehra]

Its not been brought in as law yet, in theory that happens on 1st Dec, here is the proposal in full...

http://www.pla.co.uk/pdfs/maritime/Thames_Byelaws_Sealed_Version_14-07-2011.pdf

 

[rosta]

Didn't the existing "advisory" limit end at Cherry Garden Pier? The new regs refer to a Margaret Ness limit, which I don't recall this being used before?

 

[vjmehra]

Yep, that's new too...

 

[snapper]

This then marks the end of any private boats on the Thames (downstream of Wandsworth until way out in the estuary) ever legally going on the plane again.

What a shame.

 

[vandy]

12 knots is way too low for some parts between Cherry Garden Pier and Wandsworth Bridge. In my opinion it is even safer to cruise the stretch between Westminster Bridge-Tower Bridge as fast as possible so less traffic is present for fast moving ferries.

Still not too bad, as I suppose you can still go above 12knots after Cherry Garden Pier towards Barriers. That section is the best section for ribbing; wide, choppy, and quiet!

 

[snapper]

12 knots is way too low for some parts between Cherry Garden Pier and Wandsworth Bridge. In my opinion it is even safer to cruise the stretch between Westminster Bridge-Tower Bridge as fast as possible so less traffic is present for fast moving ferries.

Still not too bad, as I suppose you can still go above 12knots after Cherry Garden Pier towards Barriers. That section is the best section for ribbing; wide, choppy, and quiet!

Not any more I'm afraid. You are limited to 12 knots all the way up from Margaretness.

That's the end of it I'm afraid.

 

[vjmehra]

I'm surprised more people aren't concerned by this, after all, it effectively now devalues any quick boats moored on the Thames.

That aside what are businesses such as Thames RIB experiences going to do?

 

[teddington_lock]

I'm surprised more people aren't concerned by this, after all, it effectively now devalues any quick boats moored on the Thames.

That aside what are businesses such as Thames RIB experiences going to do?

Devalues ? How ?

Can i pick up a Ferrari cheap because the speed limit is 70mph ?

 

[watson1959]

Devalues ? How ?

Can i pick up a Ferrari cheap because the speed limit is 70mph ?

A friend who has a Harley Davidson explained it like this: a low speed limit increases the value of my bike......'cos everyone gets to take a look at it

 

[vjmehra]

Haha, maybe...on the Harley example...

As for the Ferrari, well the speed limit is 70mph, so the value stays the same, if they lowered the motorway limit to 30mph, which is a more comparable example, then yes you would get a lot of sellers of Ferrari's in the UK.

Well I'd sell mine (if I had one I mean, which I don't)!