MILLENNIUM CRUISE TO GREENWICH, THE DOME AND WOOLWICH VIA THE THAMES BARRIER

SPCC NOTES ON VISITING THE RIVER THAMES

MILLENNIUM CRUISE TO GREENWICH, THE DOME AND WOOLWICH VIA THE THAMES BARRIER

This cruise along the tideway passes Greenwich, the Millennium Dome and Exhibition site and traverses the Thames Barrier at Woolwich. It crosses the meridian, so is the best of both worlds!

The cruise takes about 21/2 hours for the round trip. Much depends on whether low water comes early or late! Low water is normally 23 minutes earlier at Woolwich than low water at London Bridge. All times stated below are based on low water London Bridge (LWLB)

Aim to leave Limehouse 1A hours before Low Water London Bridge. (On a Spring tide you may need to leave a little earlier to ensure sufficient water over the cill)

The tidal river journey from Limehouse to Woolwich with the tide will take up to 1'A hours. The aim is to go downstream on the ebb (falling) tide and arrive at WOOLWICH at SLACK (low) water. Boats turn at Woolwich and gradually gain the benefit of the incoming tide for the return transit to Limehouse Lock. At normal main line canal cruising revs with the tide run most boats will move at a speed of 5 mph.

Boat should leave Limehouse Lock 1A hours before LWLB and should therefore reach Woolwich at Low Water Woolwich. When boats reach Blackwall Point they are required to report their downstream transit to London VTS on VHF channel 14 (Phone: 020 8855 0315). Again when they have the Barrier in sight they need to call to seek permission to transit (The same call has to be made on the return journey upstream). ALL BOATS MUST TAKE THE MARKED (Green Arrow) CHANNEL THROUGH THE BARRIER. Do not turn to the northern shore until well past the Barrier but, ABOVE WOOLWICH FERRY. Boats will gradually gain the push of the incoming tide on the return journey to Limehouse. The journey is about 6 miles each way and takes 1 'A hours each way; ETA at Limehouse is 21/2 hours after departure. At Limehouse be ready to enter the Lock Cut and watch for the Lock traffic lights to show GREEN. Skippers should be ready to follow the Lockmaster’s directions. On a Spring tide it may be necessary to tie off on the outer pontoon landing to wait for sufficient water over the cill. Please have your BW Annual Licence Number handy as all craft licenses will be checked at this point. The number is the one at the bottom of your licence disc. Lockmaster can be contacted on VHF Channel 80.

DURING YOUR TRIP ON THE TIDAL THAMES PLEASE TAKE EXTRA CARE

Remember:

  1. KEEP TO THE RIGHT; DO NOT STRAY OUT TO THE CENTRE OF RIVER. WATCH OUT FOR BARGE MOORINGS AND BUOYS.
  2. BEWARE OF DRIFTWOOD AND COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC ON THE THAMES.
  3. DO NOT SAIL TOO CLOSE TO THE BUOYS AND PIERS. Take care before turning across the fairway at Woolwich. WATCH FOR CRAFT COMING UPSTREAM ON THE TIDE.
  4. WATCH OUT FOR THE WASH of ferry boats and commercial craft, especially between the Dome and Limehouse Lock. Turn your bow into the waves and then return to your normal course after you have ridden the waves.
  5. ROWERS are sometimes in evidence around Greenwich and in the Woolwich Reach. HOOT WITH ONE BLAST if you are in doubt that they have not realised you are there.
  6. CHECK WATER LEVEL AT LIMEHOUSE LOCK ON YOUR RETURN. IF IN DOUBT WAIT ON THE PONTOON MOORINGS IN THE ENTRANCE CHANNEL (East Side) UNTIL THE WATER RISES.
  7. EMERGENCY moorings are marked on the map supplied. Those at Millwall Pier and Greenland Pier are available ONLY if craft are in difficulty. Otherwise tie alongside moored barges if you cannot proceed and signal for assistance.

REMINDERS —Check for sufficient fuel—Check fan belt—Have lifebuoy handy with line attached—Install anchor Children especially are advised to wear life jackets. Animals should be kept under control inside your craft. All boats over 45ft are required by PLA Regulations to carry a VHF Marine Radio.

 

NAVIGATION THROUGH THE THAMES BARRIER

 

      

 

Spans A, H, J and K are permanently closed to Navigation.

River Thames – Woolwich Barrier Control Zone: Margaretness to Blackwall Point.

Notice Boards with lights at Thamesmead, Barking Power Station, Blackwall Stairs (north shore) and Blackwall Point (south shore).

Amber lights means...................................... …….. – Proceed with extreme caution

Red light means  .............................................................. – Navigation within Zone prohibited

Red St Andrew’s Crosses (lit) from Piers mean – Barrier or span closed Green Arrows (lit) from Piers mean.......................... – Span open

Loud hailers are fitted at certain points to pass instructions. They may also transmit Morse Signal “K”. On hearing Morse Signal (indicating Barrier Closure) contact London VTS if fitted with VHF R/T. If not fitted, stop your vessel, listen to voice instructions.

It is extremely dangerous to go through a Span marked Closed (for navigation), the gates may be in a semi-raised position.

IF ALL GATES CLOSED: No vessel to navigate within 200 metres of Barrier due to turbulence.

Depth over sills: Gate C, D, E, F = 5.8m CD. Gate B, D           = 1.25m CD.

Call London VTS (Barrier Control) on channel 14 at Margaretness and/or Blackwall Point for permission to pass through the Barrier. If no VHF Radio then phone 020 8855 0315 and pass through between Green Arrows. Use engine at all times

ALL BOATERS AND SKIPPERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY UNDERTAKE THE CRUISES COMPLETELY AT THEIR OWN RISK. THE ST. PANCRAS CRUISING CLUB AND ITS OFFICERS CANNOT ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF CRAFT ON RIVERS, CANALS OR THE TIDAL THAMES