BOW CREEK and DEPTFORD CREEK

NOTES ON VISITING THE THAMES CREEKS

BOW CREEK and DEPTFORD CREEK

BOW CREEK — A trip down Bow Creek to the Lighthouse at Creek Mouth provides a unique excursion and with the right timing is perfectly safe for narrowboats. It is essential to book Bow Locks 24 hours in advance as normally the locks are unmanned. (Telephone: 020 7517 5570). Aim to leave Bow Locks 11/2 hours before High Water London Bridge (HWLB). Keep to the centre of the channel and take great care on the various blind bends. There was a waste transfer site just downstream of Bow Locks. Watch out for tugs moving lighters or for transfer taking place. Turn inside the Creek Mouth by the lighthouse. The outward trip against the tide takes 35 minutes and 25 minutes for the return trip on the tide. Bow Locks should be open on your return which will be just before high water. However, it is essential to ensure you have pre-booked the lock keeper for the return journey.

DEPTFORD CREEK — A visit to Deptford Creek is best organised from Bow. Leave 21/2 hours before HWLB. Take care to keep to the centre of Bow Creek. The tidal river journey from Bow Locks via Bow Creek, the Thames and Deptford Creek will take up to 13/4 hours, plus an extra 40 minutes for the Deptford Creek. Whilst cruising down Bow Creek and into the Thames boats will have to PUNCH THE TIDE. On turning upstream boats on the cruise will gain the benefit of the 4 knot incoming tide. At normal main line canal cruising revs with the tide run most boats will move at a speed of 6 mph. Deptford Creek entrance is sometimes difficult to see, so check your map. Proceed up the CENTRE OF THE CREEK and TURN WHERE MARKED ON THE MAP. Retrace your route to return to the Creek Mouth and then continue upstream. Boats should reach Limehouse Lock before the Top of the Tide. Call on VHF 80 just before you arrive at the lock so that the keeper can get it ready. Skippers should be ready to follow the Lockmaster’s directions at Limehouse. Be ready to stand off and await locking through. Please have a note of your BW Licence Number handy as all craft licences may be checked at this point. The number is the one at the bottom of your licence disc.

DURING YOUR TRIP ON THE TIDAL THAMES PLEASE TAKE EXTRA CARE

Remember:

  1. KEEP TO THE RIGHT; DO NOT STRAY OUT TO THE CENTRE OF RIVER. FOLLOW THE NORTHERN BANK AND PASS INSIDE BARGE MOORINGS.
  2. BEWARE OF DRIFT WOOD AND COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC IN BOW CREEK AND ON THE THAMES.
  3. DO NOT SAIL TOO CLOSE TO THE THAMES BUOYS AND PIERS AS THE TIDE RUN WILL CATCH YOU and distort your course. Take care before turning across the tide-way to the mouth of Bow Creek. WATCH OUT FOR CRAFT COMING FAST UPSTREAM ON THE TIDE. GIVE ONE LONG BLAST ON YOUR HORN ON EXIT.
  4. WATCH OUT FOR THE WASH of trips boats and commercial craft, especially between Greenwich and Limehouse Lock. Turn your bow into the waves and then return to your normal course after you have ridden the waves.
  5. WATCH OUT FOR THE BARGE TOWS. All being well they should have gone up river before we leave Bow Creek.
  6. ROWERS are sometimes in evidence around Greenwich. HOOT WITH ONE BLAST if you are in doubt that they have not realised you are there.
  7. CHECK BOTH UP AND DOWNSTREAM FOR OTHER TRAFFIC BEFORE TURNING TO CROSS THE FAIRWAY TO DEPTFORD CREEK ENTRANCE. Do not turn too early; in that way you avoid the large buoys downstream of the Creek Mouth.
  8. Keep to the centre of the channel up Deptford Creek. Take the centre lifting span of the lattice girder lifting railway bridge. Turn at the entrance end of the Upper Basin as the far end tends to collect rubbish and shopping trolleys underwater. 70ft boats may find it easier to turn in the mouth of the short arm just before the Creek Head.
  9. Headroom at NARROW STREET BRIDGE IS RESTRICTED. Check your height before trying to pass under it. If in doubt wait on the outer pontoon (East Side) until the tide ebbs or the bridge swings.
  10. EMERGENCY moorings are marked on the map supplied. Those at Greenland Pier are available ONLY if craft are in difficulty. Otherwise tie alongside moored barges if you cannot proceed and signal for assistance.

REMINDERS — Book the locks at Bow 24 hours in advance—Check for sufficient fuel—Check fan belt—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. All boats over 45ft are required by the PLA regulations to carry a VHF Marine Radio.

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