THAMES TRANSITS to BRENTFORD or TEDDINGTON

SPCC NOTES ON VISITING THERIVER THAMES

THAMES TRANSITS  to BRENTFORD or TEDDINGTON

The recommended Thames transit is UPSTREAM from LIMEHOUSE to BRENTFORD or TEDDINGTON. In that way passage upstream has the double advantage of a medium speed tide flow and extra time. High Water at Brentford / Richmond / Teddington is One Hour later than HW London Bridge. The transit to Brentford with the tide takes about 21/2 hours. Richmond Half Tide Barrier is reached in 3 hours and Teddington Lock cleared in 4 hours.

Timing of Upstream Transits depends on your ultimate destination but is constrained by the operating hours of Thames Lock Brentford and Richmond Half Tide Barrier. Both operate from 2 hours before HW to 2 hours after high water. However, the second two hours requires pushing against an outflowing tide. The optimum departure window for a transit to Brentford involves a departure from Limehouse between 31/2 hours and no later than 11/2 hours before HW London Bridge. Craft going to Teddington have a window from Limehouse between 4 hours and no later than 2 hours before HW London Bridge. Passage outside these windows either means waiting for Thames Lock or the Half Tide Barrier at Richmond to open or pushing against an ebbing tide, which will double the time over that section of the journey.

Transits between BRENTFORD and TEDDINGTON are constrained by the same tide window. The best time to leave is as soon as Brentford Thames Lock opens, i.e. 2 hours before HW Brentford. Any departure after 1 hour before HW Brentford will catch the start of the ebb tide. Any departure after HW Brentford +1 hour stands the risk of arriving at the Richmond Half Tide Barrier about the time of its closure. Craft then are required to divert via Richmond Lock and pay a fee.

Downstream transits from TEDDINGTON to BRENTFORD are best within the window of 1 hour before HW Teddington and HW Teddington. In that way you catch the last of the flow and avoid the ebb in full spate. The transit takes between 1 and 11/2 hours. Any departure after HW Teddington +3/4 hour stands the risk of arriving at Thames Lock after the lock has closed. Brentford Creek becomes a sea of mud at low tide.

A downstream transit from BRENTFORD to LIMEHOUSE is not recommended for inexperienced skippers. The reasons for this are twofold. The Thames tide ebb is far faster than the flow and with the one hour tide differential, the transit through the narrow section between Blackfriars and Tower Bridge will be reached at maximum tide run. Secondly, the tide run is at its fastest just outside Limehouse Lock cut, which makes the entrance rather difficult. This, coupled with the sharp ‘blind’ bend below the lock cut, makes crossing the Fairway a difficult task especially with faster ferry and trip boats moving quickly with the current. For those who wish to make such a transit it is recommended they leave Brentford no later than one hour before HW Brentford and push the tail end of the flow. Boats wishing to make the Transit from Teddington to Limehouse are advised to leave Teddington 2 hours before high water, and certainly not after 1 hour before HW Teddington. A later departure than this could mean an arrival at Limehouse with insufficient water over the cill for a safe entry into the Lock. Call on VHF Channel 80 (Limehouse Marina) as you pass Wapping Police Pier so that the lock keeper can prepare the lock for you.

Before venturing on to the Thames please read the SAFETY NOTES and also study the SOUND SIGNALS. A list of last
minute reminders below, are offered as a quick check list for skippers planning a transit upstream.         continued overleaf

Thames Lock, Brentford 

Lock will be manned either side of high water during the following core hour periods. Pre-booked passage outside of core hours will be available within the period 0500 – 2200 hours subject to tide conditions.

0800 - 1800 Summer 28th March - 31st October 0800 - 1630 Winter         1st November - 31st March

Note: Passage outside normal hours:

Boaters requiring passage outside of stated core hours will need to pre-book giving British Waterways notice no later than noon of the previous day, or earlier if possible.

Limehouse Lock

Lock will be manned during normal core hours as follows. 0800 - 1800 Summer 0800 - 1600 Winter

Pre-booked passage outside of core hours will be available within the period 0500 - 2200 hours subject to tide conditions.

Telephone numbers:

Brentford Locks 020 8568 2779

Limehouse Lock 020 7308 9930

If for any reason the answer phone facility is not available please leave message on London Waterway Office number 0207985 7200.

SAFETY CHECKS —Check for sufficient fuel—Check fan belt—Block off front-w ell drainer holes if these are LESS than 5 inches (130mm) above water level—Have lifebuoy handy with line attached—Install anchor— Children especially are advised to wear life jackets. Animals should be kept under control inside your craft.

BEFORE DEPARTURE, CHECK WITH THE LOCK KEEPER FOR DETAILS OF ANY HAZARD
WARNINGS AND PLA NAVIGATION CONTROLS IN OPERATION

Last Minute Reminders

• When locking at Limehouse loop your ropes around the wire cables inset into the lock sides. The water runs out fast!
• The upstream tide run is directly outside Limehouse lock entrance. Be ready for it to catch your bow. Hoot once on exit.
• The rule of the river is—KEEP TO THE RIGHT. Narrowboats must stay on the right third of the river through to Wandsworth Bridge. Always take the right hand marked navigational arch of all bridges.
• Watch out for the barges and buoys upstream of Limehouse Lock exit. Set your course early.
• Watch out for a white flashing light on the centre arch of the central London bridges. If it flashes, beware of large craft or barge tows in the central fairway. You must keep out of their way.
• Take extra care on the section between Tower Bridge and Blackfriars Bridges. The river is narrow here; the tide run is strong and there are a number of buoys. Watch out for trip boats leaving from the various piers especially the Fast Ferry pier just upstream of Blackfriars Bridge.
• Trip boats pulling off from Westminster Pier and coming into moor require extra vigilance in the Westminster area.

• Rowers and sailing boats abound above Putney Bridge. Be ready to move out to the centre of the river to let them through beside the right bank where they have the right of way. Before moving out, check behind for fast moving craft.

• Go to the left (south) of all islands between Hammersmith and Kew Bridges.

• Kew Bridge is on the skew. You need to swing to the right (north) to line up and see through the main arch. Take extra care here as the arch is narrow and the trip boats need to use the centre of the span.
• Keep to the left (south) of the tree covered islands beyond Kew Bridge.
• For those going to Brentford – look out for the diagonal creek on the right (north) just before the riverside flats. The Thames lock keeper will be on watch if you are within opening hours. Go into the lock he indicates (Left Hand).
• For those craft going on to Teddington, pass to the left of Isleworth Ait then take the right hand, open navigation span of the Richmond half tide barrier; then the central arches of the Richmond bridges, passing to the left of all islands en route.

• A neon arrow at Teddington indicates which lock you should use. Be ready to moor up alongside the mooring piles whilst you wait.

• Please remember that in all the EA Thames locks, you are required to rope up and cut engines. TAKE CARE — DO NOT RUSH — ENJOY YOUR TRIP

What to do in an emergency

ENGINE FAILURE and/or PROPELLER JAMMED:

Remember that if your boat is helpless in a fast-running stream it will be carried quickly along out of control. The set of the tide may well carry it to the pier of a bridge or towards moored craft or other obstacles with considerable force. For this reason you MUST ANCHOR AT ONCE. Make sure that the inboard end of your anchor or warp is fastened to its cleat or post at all times while on the Tideway. Do not waste time looking for the cause of failure—you can do that as soon as you have anchored and at your comparative leisure!

MAN OVERBOARD: As soon as anyone falls overboard, swing the stern AWAY from them. Throw the life-buoy towards their position in the water and then manoeuvre the boat alongside the casualty, taking care to face the tide and keep to leeward of them, otherwise you will probably run them down!

Always insist that life-jackets be worn by your crew. Set an example by wearing one yourself.

ALL BOATERS AND SKIPPERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY UNDERTAKE THE CRUISES COMPLETELY AT THEIR OWN RISK. THE ST. PANCRAS CRUISING CLUB AND ITS OFFICERS CANNOT ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF CRAFT ON RIVERS, CANALS OR THE TIDAL THAMES