Martin Phillips wrote: > We may pass along the Thames this summer. Are there any bizarre rules > imposed by the EA? I vaguely remember hearing that boats need a unique > name and it has to be front and back, or somthing like that. Will the BW > registration do in lieu, painted on the rear sides and on the plates in > the front windows? Anything else, other than parting with a wad of > notes? Navigation lights?
You should have no problems with the unique name bit, EA use the boat name and if required the index number to generate a unique name. Navigation lights shouldn't be a problem either (unless travelling at night!). I have been along the Thames on several boats in the past without navigation lights. > We probably won't make it to the tidal Thames, but just in case I also > recall that someone had a useful guide for boats going between Brentford > and Limehouse. Have found the PLA one, can't find any links to anything > else. Boats over 15m (IIRC) in length need a licensed VHF radio and operator (which can be the skipper) unless travelling in convoy with another suitably equipped vessel when navigating downstream of Brentford. You need to maintain a listening watch on channel 14. This requirement is waived for boats travelling between Teddington and Brentford. Travelling the Thames through London is well worth doing if the boat and engine are up to it. It is better to do the trip upstream rather than downstream, as the entrance into Limehouse can be difficult when the tide is running out (which it will be when travelling downstream). Thames tide tables can be downloaded for free from <http://www.pla.co.uk/>. From memory, Brentford is available for 2 hours either side of high tide, Limehouse for 4 hours - best to consult with the lock-keeper if in doubt. The tables quote the time (GMT) for high tide at Tower Pier (Tower Bridge - used to be at London Bridge). High tide at Brentford is ~55 minutes later. Teddington, ~1 hour later. The trip from Limehouse to Brentford should take just over two hours. Terry Streeter NB Arun - Kings Langley
