Tidal Thames Trip

[Hillbilly]

Hi All,

I'm after some advice please. I am soon to complete my VHF Radio course, and I am keen to escape the non tidal Thames, and have a run down the tidal Thames to perhaps Gravesend reach and then back up.

My plan is to get to the final lock the night previous (any mooring suggestions welcome) and then head out on the first lock opening on a rising tide, and return on the second tide, getting safely back inside the confines of the non tidal part of the river for the night for a run back to base the following day. Given the distances involved, this seems do-able (from last lock, out to Gravesend range from high tide to next high tide window, so I'm in the deepest part of the river downstream at low tide. Should I be preparing for any unknowns / surprises?

The boat is a Broom 370, twin VP D6's. All in sound working order, recently serviced (Inc fuel system/pre filters), running reliably. No known fuel problems, all fuel treated etc. I don't have radar / AIS yet, but don't intend to go beyond the main river past Gravesend. I do have 15+ years of boat handling experience, large and small.

Obviously i'll be brimming full of fuel, safety equipment, such as tender with outboard, plenty of life jackets, Handheld and backup VHF, and only heading out in fine weather.

I'll have my Father along for the ride, he is a retired ships Captain (tugs, PSV's etc) and has spent plenty of his life on the tidal Thames - but my hope was for him to relax and me not pester him for knowledge every 5 mins (and maybe appear as if I know what i'm doing!).

I'm working on the assumption that some good planning of the trip will see it become a successful one. I guess the final lock out and back in need to be booked in advance? And comms with VTS when entering Tidal Thames.

Any thoughts / nuggets of advice / experience welcome!

Thanks in advance.

James.

 

[Chris_d]

Id suggest you read this website:

https://www.boatingonthethames.co.uk/Tidal-Thames-Navigators-Club

And get a copy if this:

https://www.pla.co.uk/Safety/Regulations-and-Guidance/River-User-Guidance-Documents

As you are only going out and back should be straight forward enough.

 

[Hillbilly]

Thanks Chris - good links.

 

[blenkinsop]

There is mooring in the lock cut at Teddington.
You do not need to book the lock which is 24hr.
If you leave Teddington about an hour before high water, the current is likely to be fairly slack and you will get through the half tide lock at Richmond, leaving ample time to get to Gravesend.
There is no need to talk to VTS, but note that, depending on the time of day, Richmond to Wandsworth can be busy with rowing club boats and there is heavy tourist traffic (some of it moving at high speed) particularly Westminster to Greenwich for which your father's experience will no doubt be invaluble.
Radar and AIS would be superfluous on this trip.
I know nothing about potential moorings in the Gravesend area. Access to marinas (eg St Katherines) are limited by tides and would need other calculations.
Return is easy leaving shortly after LW will allow you to catch the half tide lock again.

 

[Hillbilly]

Thanks all, info is very much appreciated.

 

[Thallac]

Hi
You will have a great time, you look all sorted and ready for more than anything the Thames can throw you. You should be able to make it further than Gravesend. i made it to Queenborough and back following high tide down and low tide back. Left Kew around 6.30 in the morning and made it back at about 8.00pm. Things to aim for after Gravesend are QE2 Bridge, then Tilbury
You will need to speak to VTS about going through the Thames Barrier. The water can be a bit choppy/limpfrom Westminster to TowerBridge, but will be fine after that.
Finally check Notice to Mariners, for the rare occasion the river is closed, (for example this weekend with the boat race)
Have a great time
Tim

 

[oldgit]

gravesend would not be my idea of a destination or a comfortable overnight stop.
brave Sea Reachand go to Queenborough for a comfortable mooring.
Make it a three day trip with day layover.
its going to be a long old couple of days otherwise.
better still come on round into the Medway and stay at one of the marinas or can find you at RCC with enough notice?

Much more relaxing

 

[Capt Popeye]

Re mooring o/night at Gravesend - long time ago now I was offered a buoy by the Pilots by way of a Search light waving me in the right direction; was on the South Bank by the Building Tower; Yes well every time the Pilots went to a Ship my craft went up n down like a Pea in a boiling saucepan; yea glad to get away from Gravesend

 

[oldgit]

.....and that will be 24/7 plus all the tugs and other stuff going about their business, add a decent tide while picking up a bouy !
Would have thought mebbe either curtail the trip at Limehouse/South Dock, Limehouse or go the whole hog round to Medway.
If were in the OP shoes and being comfortable with marinas and locks would keep going,avoiding picking up any tidal moorings on this adventure and park in familiar suroundings like MDL Chatham at the end of my day

 

[CX54WEK]

I read it as the OP was wanting to go down river and then head back up again on the next tide so no need to over night anywhere.

Could be wrong of course

 

[Flynnbarr]

I read it as the OP was wanting to go down river and then head back up again on the next tide so no need to over night anywhere.

Could be wrong of course

Don’t be silly

Hillbilly....enjoy,you’ll be fine,hope you and your Dad have a great time :encouragement:

 

[Hillbilly]

Hi all - defo no plans to be bobbing up and down tied up to a bouy around Gravesend reach all night....simply a blast down and then back into the non tidal all in a day (plus a day each side) to give the D6’s a good workout.

 

[TrueBlue]

Hi all - defo no plans to be bobbing up and down tied up to a bouy around Gravesend reach all night....simply a blast down and then back into the non tidal all in a day (plus a day each side) to give the D6’s a good workout.

Umm - well it's only the tranquillity of the Tideway that'll be broken.....

 

[oldgit]

Hi all - defo no plans to be bobbing up and down tied up to a bouy around Gravesend reach all night....simply a blast down and then back into the non tidal all in a day (plus a day each side) to give the D6’s a good workout.

A day trip !
Think that you are seriously pushing it bit to be honest, you will be limited in speed until you get past Barrier and even then a WOT blast to Gravesend may well attract comment from VTS due to wash..
Without looking at chart we are talking about an 80 mile round trip ? much of it at 5-8 knots.
If that is the boats first trip out of the Thames after many years, any delay before return and you miss the tide back up ?
Mind you you do have option of simply turning round if time is limited.