Recreational Users Guide - Navigation RulesAnyone navigating a vessel without due care and attention, or in such a manner as to cause injury to persons or other vessels or property, including the river banks, commits an offence under the Port of London Act 1968 and may be prosecuted. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (the Colregs) as modified by the ‘Port of London River Byelaws’. Those in charge of vessels must also comply with the ‘General Directions for Navigation in the Port of London’. The following basic navigational rules are of particular relevance to recreational users:
SpeedYour 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 location 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 damage to property. There is a speed limit of 8 knots in the following places:
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. Collision AvoidanceThe tidal Thames is a commercial highway and the Port of London is one of the busiest ports in the UK. There are ships of every size visiting the many different terminals along the river and they operate at all states of the tide. Make yourself aware of impending vessel manoeuvres by listening to the appropriate VHF channel and regular navigational broadcasts. Keep a sharp lookout, both ahead and astern. In addition:
Large commercial vessels cannot take rapid avoiding action. In narrow channels they may not be able to take any action at all. If you are near a large vessel be aware and be vigilant. Know and obey the Colregs. Stay well clear. A small craft cannot always be seen from a ship’s bridge. This ‘blind arc’ can be up to one mile ahead and half a mile on either bow. If you cannot see the bridge, he cannot see you.
The Thames is used by many tugs and tows. These vessels, and others such as dredgers and survey vessels, may be limited in their ability to manoeuvre. Be aware of their presence and keep clear. Damaged VesselsAny vessel suffering damage which might affect her seaworthiness, must inform the relevant PLA Harbour Master immediately. If the vessel is greater than 12m in length, do not proceed above Lower Hope Point (or move the vessel if already above Lower Hope Point) without the permission of the Harbour Master. This limit extends to down to Sea Reach No. 1 Buoy. Disposal of rubbish, sewage, oil and other pollutants
There are barges along the river for driftwood and other flotsam. Please do not use them for domestic refuse. They are not there for that purpose and such action encourages vermin and other pests. Marinas, piers and yacht clubs have details of how and where to dispose of wastes including garbage, sewage and oil. River ClosuresOccasionally sections of the river may be temporarily closed to navigation. Except in the case of emergency responses, Notices to Mariners giving reasons and details are normally issued prior to the closure. Information regarding them is broadcast by the relevant PLA VTS Centre ahead of and whilst the closure takes place. Exclusion ZonesFor a variety of reasons, exclusion zones may be established from time to time. No vessel shall enter such a zone except in an emergency. EventsAny individual or organisation contemplating organising an event on the river must contact the appropriate PLA Harbour Master for written permission. The notice period required depends on the scale and nature of the event.
AnglingWhen angling, do not obstruct the fairway, or other shipping or designated anchorage areas. It is strongly recommended that fishing is only carried out clear of the fairways. This is for your own safety. On no account should vessels moor to navigation buoys. Above Dagenham fishing must only be carried out clear of the fairway. NoiseNoise from engines or from entertainment sources (music/loud speakers etc) must be reduced or contained to a reasonable level to avoid annoying other river users or local residents. Signals Used Frequently on the Tidal ThamesBridgesAn inverted triangle of three red discs or three red lights hanging from the arch of a bridge mean that the arch is closed to navigation. A bundle of straw or a white light hanging from the arch of a bridge indicates that the arch has restricted headroom. When navigating bridges, use the navigation arch furthest to the starboard side showing a pair of fixed amber lights arranged horizontally. Special Signal LightsIn addition, all bridges from Tower Bridge to Wandsworth Bridge (except the Millennium Footbridge), have special signal lights on the main navigational arch on both the up and downstream sides. These are high intensity white lights and are in addition to the normal bridge navigation lights. They are visible by day and by night. When the lights are flashing it indicates that one or more large vessels (or one or more tugs engaged in towing) are about to navigate through the arch displaying the light. The light will show an isophase light (i.e. 2 seconds on and 2 seconds off) to indicate the presence of a single large vessel. When an additional large vessel is in the same vicinity, the light will show very quick flashes (i.e. 90 flashes per minute). Small vessels should keep clear of the arch displaying the light and its approaches whilst the light is flashing. DiversThe ‘A’ flag means that divers are down. The flag is illuminated at night. It is also often flown by the support craft, or on a nearby jetty with a smaller red flag flown where the diver is actually down. Reduce speedAnother flag signal commonly seen on the Thames is ‘RY’ displayed on working craft or river works. It means “pass my vessel or works at slow speed.” Men may be working on or close to the waterline. Vessels engaged in underwater works or surveyVessels working in the tideway will display 3 black shapes in a vertical line namely ball/diamond/ball and by night 3 lights vertically red/white/red. Keep clear of dredgers - they may have mooring and breast wires extending well out from the vessel. Lights on Jetties and PiersThe extremities of jetties, piers and other port facilities are marked on the south shore by 2 red lights placed vertically and on the north shore by 2 green lights. Temporary worksOn the south shore these are marked by 2 or more red lights placed horizontally. On the north shore these are marked by 2 or more green lights placed horizontally. WrecksWrecks (and underwater obstructions) are marked in accordance with IALA buoyage system. Sound SignalsThese signals can be used by power driven vessels to indicate their intended actions to other vessels. The use of VHF to clarify intentions on movements does not absolve anyone in charge of a vessel from making the appropriate sound signal. Small craft should however be extra careful and be aware that not all vessels comply. Sound signals and their meaning
Reply by vessel being overtaken - 1 long blast, 1 short blast, 1 long blast and 1 short blast Note: The term ‘short blast’ means a blast of about 1 second duration. The term ‘long blast’ means a blast of about 4-6 seconds duration. |
It is an offence to throw any waste overboard. It is also an offence to spill, discharge or allow to flow into the tidal Thames any oil or other pollutant. Persons in charge of recreational craft are strongly urged to take a socially responsible attitude to discharging from toilets. Facilities are available at certain locations for owners to pump out holding tanks.