Masters and persons in charge of small craft, in particular those involved in fishing or angling commercially or for leisure, are reminded of their obligations under the General Directions for Navigation in the Port of London 2006 and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (as amended) in that they should not impede the passage of other vessels which are constrained to a channel.
Anchoring in a fairway or channel not only renders the anchored vessel vulnerable to being struck by passing vessels but also may force other vessels in the channel to take avoiding action which may put themselves, and others in danger.
Rules 9(b), 9(c) and 9(g) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (as amended) relate to the restriction on vessels of less than 20 metres in length, sailing vessels and fishing vessels impeding the passage of other vessels which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway and also relate to the restriction on any vessel from anchoring in a narrow channel if the circumstances of the case admit. In addition, General Direction (GD) 21 (4) of the General Directions for Navigation in the Port of London 2006 restrict vessels from anchoring in a Fairway, other than in an emergency or for the purpose of manoeuvring or with the prior approval of the Harbourmaster. A “Fairway” is defined in GD 3 (m) and “Narrow Channels” within the Port of London are identified in GD 3 (x).
For the purposes of the interpretation of GD 21 (4), vessels should also not anchor (except in an emergency, when manoeuvring or with the prior approval of the Harbourmaster) in “Approach Channels” to the Thames. These are identified in GD 3 (c) as follows:
“Approach Channel” means one or more of the following:
The Black Deep
The Fisherman’s Gat
The Princes Channel
The Middle Deep & West Swin Channels
The Barrow Deep
The Mouse Channel
