Recreational Users Guide - Rowing

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All rowing boats and canoes navigating on the tidal River Thames shall comply with the Port of London River Byelaws which incorporate the ColRegs.  In particular:

• A proper lookout shall be maintained at all times (International Regulations - Rule 5).
• Other than where stated below, rowing boats and canoes shall, whenever possible, navigate outside of the main channel or fairway.
• A rowing boat and canoe, which for any reason has to navigate within the main channel or fairway, shall not impede the passage of a vessel which, because of draught or size, can safely navigate only within the main channel or fairway.
• A rowing boat or canoe proceeding along the course of the main channel or fairway shall also comply with Rule 9(a) of the International Regulations and "keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable".

Special Rules for navigation of rowing boats and approved escorting vessels between Syon Reach and Putney Bridge.  It is recognised that there are parts of the river where it may not always be "safe and practicable" for vessels under oars to keep to the starboard side.

Within the above limits rowing boats and canoes when proceeding with the tide, are to keep to the starboard side of the fairway;

• when proceeding against the tide, are to navigate as follows (see plan for buoy positions):

a) between the Syon Crossing and the Chiswick Bridge Crossing, keep as close as is practicable to the Surrey shore. (keeping between the Surrey shore and Syon Reach, Lot’s Ait, Hog Hole, Brentford Ait, Harbour Master’s, Oliver’s Ait and UL Buoys);

b) between the Chiswick Bridge Crossing and the Chiswick Steps Crossing, keep as close as is practicable to the Middlesex shore;

c) between the Chiswick Steps Crossing and the Putney Crossing, keep as close as is practicable to the Surrey shore (keeping between the Surrey shore and River View and Mile Post Buoys).

Crossing points are established in the following locations (see plan):

• Syon Crossing – Syon Reach, opposite the Isleworth Ferry Gate (approximately 200m upstream of the PLA driftwood moorings).
• Chiswick Bridge Crossing – opposite the “Ship” public house (approximately 200m downstream of Chiswick Bridge).
• Chiswick Steps Crossing – 200m upstream of Chiswick Pier.
• Putney Crossing – by Bishop’s Park steps approximately 100m upstream of Putney Road Bridge.

Where appropriate and safe to do so, approved escorting vessels may accompany rowing craft when they are navigating in accordance with paragraph 2 (d) above.

When crossing the river in accordance with the above rules, rowing boats and escorting vessels shall do so as quickly as possible and must avoid obstructing any other vessel proceeding along the fairway (River Byelaw 15(a)).

Note: Nothing in these rules precludes rowing boats and escorting vessels from crossing the river at other places when boating from or returning to boat houses provided that they shall do so as quickly as possible and avoid obstructing any other vessel proceeding along the fairway (River Byelaw 15(a).

A Code of Practice for Rowing on the Tidal Thames above Putney

The above is a brief summary of the rules from this booklet and all rowers should read this and look at the accompanying chart before boating on the tideway.

Kew Road Bridge and Pier

The visibility on the bend in the vicinity of Kew Bridge is particularly restricted and passenger boats regularly manoeuvre on and off Kew Pier.  All craft are to navigate with extreme caution in the area.

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