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Recreational Users Guide - Navigating in the Estuary and Lower Thames Back to Contents | Next Page
Large vessels are confined to the deep water part of the navigation channel. Recreational users should keep to the correct (starboard) side of the channel, in the shallower water and not hinder commercial vessels proceeding along the channel.
Be aware of vessels boarding and landing pilots. These operations can result in both the vessels and the pilot cutters serving them undertaking some unexpected manoeuvres. Extra care is needed when passing through the following areas:
- The Oaze and Warp;
- Medway Approach Channel;
- Coryton and Canvey Island;
- Gravesend Reach;
- Tilburyness and Tilbury Lock Entrance;
- Northfleet Hope;
- Broadness;
- Stoneness;
- Long Reach.
In the estuary, large vessels are severely restricted by width of channels. Do not underestimate the speed of ships. If your boat is slow it is more difficult to take effective evasive action.
Recreational craft should use channels most suited to the size of their vessel.
- When navigating to or from the north use the Middle Deep, Swin and Warp. Barrow Deep and Warp.
- When navigating to or from the south, use the Horse and Gore and Four Fathom Channels.
- Foulger’s Gat should be used in preference to Fisherman’s Gat.
Recreational craft are also advised to avoid the Princes Channel, the Black Deep and Fisherman’s Gat, which are used extensively by large commercial vessels.
Small vessels should also keep well clear of the Yantlet Channel. This is marked by centre line buoys to provide deep draught vessels with a suitably marked deep-water channel. Small craft crossing routes are marked on Admiralty charts as detailed below.
Canvey Island and Shellhaven Area
Recreational craft passing the Canvey, Shellhaven and Coryton areas should adhere to the following procedure whenever possible:
- Inward from the North – Keep close to starboard hand buoys and beacons. At the West Leigh Middle, cross to the south side to be clear of the Yantlet Channel, having first made sure that the fairway is clear. Make for East Blyth Buoy before turning onto the inward track. Remember outward vessels will pass close to the port hand buoys. As indicated on navigational charts, there is safe water for small vessels to the south of the Mid Blyth, West Blyth, and Lower Hope Buoys. When it is safe, cross to the starboard side in Lower Hope Reach as rapidly as possible.
- Outward to the North – As above in reverse, but crossing to the north between Sea Reach No. 4 & 5 buoys.
- Inward from the south – Keep well clear of the Yantlet Channel to the south, crossing to the north side in the Lower Hope as described above.
Dangerous Underwater Obstructions – Gravesend Reach
There are a series of 6 groynes, only exposed at low tide, on the north side of the river in the vicinity of East Tilbury. The southern end of each groyne is marked by a green beacon carrying a green conical shape and a green light flashing 2.5 seconds. The northern end of each groyne is marked by a yellow beacon carrying a yellow St Andrew’s Cross. Do not attempt to navigate between the north shore and the green marks or lights.
Oil and Gas Jetties
The fire, pollution and security risks at oil and gas jetties require additional care by river users when navigating near these installations. All vessels must maintain a minimum clearance of 60 metres from an oil or gas jetty or berthed tanker.
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