Tideway Speed Limit

R

Rich_S

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 Jun 2001
Messages
127
Visit site
Hi,
planning a trip into London soon. Is there any changes in speed limits for leisure users? As far as I can tell Byelaw 18 hasn't changed yet.

Thanks................Rich
 
According to some on here, it's 'as fast as you like' so long as no-one sees you!!

I declare this can-of-worms... OPEN!!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Well technicaly there is no speed limit below Wandsworth, however in practice from Wandsworth to the pool its displacement speeds only, from there to Greenwich I believe there is an advisory 12Knts for high speed trip boats, but any sensible liesure boat will stay well under that. From the barrier you can open up but it really depends on your boat and how much wash it produces, state of tide etc....
I have on severall occasions cruised at 20+knts all the way from sea reach to Tower Bridge to make the lock at St Kats, but my wash is much less than nearly all the commercial craft cruising much slower, obviously you avoid moorings and keep clear of other slower moving boats. I don't see a probelm with this if you are considerate and in command. You are under radar and camera surviellance by London VTS , i've been overtaken by the police boats coming out of Wapping and and waved at by the Harbour Master (he was smiling /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif), straight through the barrier at speed with a cheery "have a good evening" from London VTS. I don't think there is anything wrong with speed on the river, but you have to be sensible.
 
I have been many times before and I'm only a tiddler at 22 foot! My wash on the plane is much less than many large displacement boats.
I will stick to my previous mantra of safety and consideration!

Thanks..................Rich /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
If its only 22ft long you should be ok if you apply commonsense, so yes below Wandsworth you should be ok to open up just look out for logs etc.

I have done it a few times in my little fletcher and was overtaken several times by the police targas in and around Vauxhaul.

Only places i would be very careful due to traffic and flow are Blackfriars and the pool (Tower Bridge)
 
Had a bit of a 3 way blast with one of the police targas and a tourist rib from Wapping heading towards Greenwich, needless to say who won that one, but the police gave us a wave and a smile once we had slowed down, so good to see they don't mind it when conditions permit.
 
You should listen to London VTS on VHF Channel 14 down to Crayfordness. When they broadcast for vessels to pass with caution a certain point then they mean everyone, leisure or commercial. It may well be because men are working on the waterline and the slightest wash can be dangerous.
 
Rich.

Pasted from the PLA Recreational Users Guide...


Speed

Your craft must proceed at all times at a safe speed when navigating on the
tidal Thames. Whilst there is no specific speed limit downstream of
Wandsworth Bridge, your speed must be appropriate for the prevailing
conditions, the size and type of your vessel, the tidal conditions, your loca-
tion in the river and, importantly, the safety of others navigating in the area
or working or lying alongside. You should err on the side of safety when
determining your speed so that there is no risk of injury to persons or dam-
age to property.
There is a speed limit of 8 knots in the following places:
above Wandsworth Bridge;
in all creeks linked to the tidal Thames;
off Southend (in the inshore area)
at Coryton and Thurrock when gas tankers are berthed
Even at 8 knots many vessels can create an unacceptable amount of wash
and you may need to reduce speed further in the vicinity of piers, smaller
craft or river works. Large ships have restricted visibility.

Enjoy.
 
Just received from the PLA:

Port of London - River Thames

NOTICE TO MARINERS No.12 of 2009

LOWER POOL TO WANDSWORTH REACH

Advisory 12 Knot Speed Limit


Over the past eighteen months the Port of London Authority has been reviewing the Port of London River Byelaws 1978 (as amended) in consultation with river users. As part of this process Byelaw 48 (Speed Limits) has been carefully re-examined and it is proposed to introduce a blanket 12 Kt speed limit between Cherry Garden Pier and Wandsworth Bridge in the new Port of London Thames Byelaws (2009).

The risks of collision or contact resulting from growing freight and passenger traffic, the increasing speed differential between different types of vessels and the major construction works in the area, requires action to be taken pending the introduction of the new Thames Byelaws.

An advisory speed limit of 12 Kt between Cherry Garden Pier and Wandsworth Bridge is therefore introduced with immediate effect.

Safety is the responsibility of all those navigating on and using the River, for whatever purpose. All mariners should recognise the significant risks that navigating in central London at high speed brings, and to act responsibly by adhering to the new advisory speed limit.

Attention is also drawn to The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (as amended) Rule 6 (Safe Speed) and the Port of London Act 108 (General rules for navigation) which provides:

A Master who navigates his vessel on the Thames:

a without due care and attention; or
b in a manner liable to injure or endanger persons, other vessels, the banks of the Thames (whether above or below mean high water level) or any structure or installation in or beside the Thames;

shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine upon conviction.
 
That makes sense, by coincidence Cherry Garden Pier is where I drop off the plane coming upstream or that might be something to do with all the rozzers moored on the other side /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

An advisory speed limit of 12 Kt between Cherry Garden Pier and Wandsworth Bridge is therefore introduced with immediate effect.

[/ QUOTE ]

Always bugs me when they word these things like that, surely its either a mandatory speed limit or its not a speed limit!

Where is Cherry Garden Pier anyway?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

T
Notices to Mariners - Week 3
Replies
0
Views
336
tillergirl
T

Share this page

Top