SPCC NOTES ON VISITING THE RIVER THAMES
SAFETY ON THE THAMES RULES AND REGULATIONS
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea apply to all vessels on the River Thames. They are supplemented by River Byelaws, copies of which are available from the Port of London Authority. The main regulations affecting small craft are given below:
Navigation Rules
1 In the fairway, small craft shall not hamper the passage of vessels which can navigate only inside such fairway. Note: ‘Fairway’ means the 600 foot wide channel from Erith to London Bridge, and the central navigation channel above London Bridge.
2 Small craft and vessels shall not enter into or cross the fairway so as to obstruct another vessel proceeding along the fairway.
3 High speed craft (vessels capable of speeds in excess of 15 knots) shall keep out of the way of all vessels and craft.
4 Vessels in doubt that sufficient action is being taken to avoid collision may indicate this doubt by sounding five or more short blasts.
5 All craft shall keep well clear of vessels and attendant tugs which are about to berth or moor.
6 A competent person must be in charge of a vessel at all times. No person under 16 years of age is to be in charge of a power boat capable of exceeding 8 knots or over 10hp.
7 A vessel approaching a bend or bridge when going against the tide should give way to vessels approaching with the tide. (Above Putney Bridge at low water rowing eights must use centre arches since water is otherwise too shallow.)
8 All vessels shall keep as near as is safe and practicable to the starboard (right) side of the river.
9 A speed limit of 8 knots is enforced above Wandsworth Bridge, in all Thameside Creeks, off Southend, and off Shellhaven and Coryton. Elsewhere there is no specific speed limit but it is an offence to cause excessive wash.
10 All craft of 45ft, or over, are required to carry VHF Marine Radios and maintain a listening watch.
Other rules and advice
1 The name of each vessel must be clearly displayed.
2 Each vessel shall be covered by third party insurance to cover the cost of accident, harbour clearance, towage, etc.
3 River users shall not be under the influence of drink or drugs.
4 The skipper of any vessel over 12 metres in length suffering damage must inform the PLA Harbour Master, and must not proceed above Lower Hope Point, or move the vessel if above Lower Hope Point, without the Harbour Master’s permission.
5 It is an offence to throw rubbish of any kind overboard. A number of barges conspicuously marked ‘driftwood’ are moored along the Thames, and owners are requested to use these for all non-perishable rubbish. Other rubbish should be taken ashore for disposal.
6 Driftwood is a particular hazard. Large baulks of timber floating almost submerged, and plastic milk crates, ropes and sacks floating just below the surface can cause serious damage to hull or engine.
7 Mooring to lighters. Do not be tempted to moor to moored lighters, however briefly. Heavy wash from large passing vessels will cause severe pounding.
Bridges A triangle of 3 red discs by day (3 red lights by night) hanging apex downwards from the arch of a bridge indicates that the arch is closed to navigation.
A bale of straw or white light hanging from the arch of a bridge indicates that the arch has restricted headroom. A high intensity isophase (flashing) light, displayed by day or night, indicates that one or more large vessels, or tugs engaged in towing, is about to navigate through the arch displaying the light. Small vessels must keep well clear.