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SPCC NOTES ON VISITING THE RIVER MEDWAY

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THE TRANSIT TO THE MEDWAY

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THIS IS A CRUISE THAT REQUIRES PRE-PLANNING AND IS NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED

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Once you leave BOW LOCKS there are few places to land, and only barge buoys on which you can lay over. The last of these barge buoys are in the GRAVESEND REACH. Once you clear Lower Hope Reach you are very much ‘on your own’ until you are back in the Medway Channel. Good weather forecasts are essential for this section. If weather conditions change, there is a transit mooring pontoon at Gravesend, installed by the local Council in 2012. It will hold 12 narrowboats and can be booked via Chris Bentley at Gravesend Embankment Marina <chris@theembankmentmarina.net> Tel: 01474 535700.

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Navigation skills become critical when you reach the start of the THAMES buoyed channel at LOWER HOPE buoy, opposite MUCKING No.3 buoy. From here aim for the red WEST BLYTH buoy, which you can pass inside; that gets you around the end of Blyth Sands. From here look due East and steer for MID BLYTH, Yellow with Black Cap, North Cardinal buoy which is opposite Hole Haven Creek on the north bank. Take this buoy again on the inside, i.e. just outside of the main shipping channel. From here the next buoy lies ahead some three miles, east south east, and guards the edge of Yantlet Flats, (Binoculars are a must). Pass on the outside of this buoy and look ahead for the red can buoy of WEST NORE SAND which follows. Pass on the north side.

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Your route on the next section is quite critical as you need to avoid Nore Sand and follow the inner Swatchway channel past the length of Nore Sand. Thus, when leaving WEST NORE SAND buoy, identify and head for the green conical MID SWATCH buoy and pass to the south of it. This buoy is on the southern edge of Nore Sand. Look ahead and to the south east to identify the red can buoy of NORE SWATCH. Head for it and pass round to the north of this buoy and then, in a sweep, alter course to the south to pass over the Sheerness Middle Sand, which marks the end of Grain Spit, to head for MEDWAY BUOY No.11. Just before you reach it turn south south west, to pass between it and GRAIN EDGE buoy, which you will pass on the outside. From here head west south west to GRAIN HARD buoy; this is opposite Garrison Point. From here turn south south west to head for NORTH KENT buoy in Sheerness Harbour.

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You are now in the River Medway Channel. This tends to be busy with craft, but you will be passing through at low water when there is usually less big shipping on the move. Proceed parallel to the southern shore of the Isle of Grain. Turn at STOKE BUOY No.13 down Keyhole Reach past Bee Ness Jetty and Oakham Ness Jetty to BUOY No.15. Here head for BUOY No.17 and then turn due west, along Long Reach, turning south south west again at BUOY No.23, opposite Folly Point with its Napoleonic Fort, to proceed down Pinup reach to BUOY No.25 and thence to BUOY No.27 in GILLINGHAM REACH.

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For Skippers who need a break, the floating jetty of GILLINGHAM MARINA is over on the south side of the river. A call on VHF Channel 80 will reach Marina staff – Phone: 01634 280022.

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From here the trip up the Medway to the tide lock at Allington is quite straight forward. Remember that quite large craft use the river up to Rochester Bridge and that the final section of this reach before Strood Pier and the bridge, has two blind bends.

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From Rochester Bridge the river becomes more rural apart from the M2 bridge. Also remember that there are no more stopping places between here and ALLINGTON LOCK. Take care under the low Aylesford Bridge and your transit to the non-tidal section of the Medway is nearly at its end. From Allington the nine locks and 19 miles of the non-tidal section of the Medway will make your epic voyage well worthwhile. You may, however, need a long swing Medway windlass to get some of the heavy lock gear to budge, but that is a minor point.

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For the return journey, it may be easier to overnight at Gillingham Marina, or better still, rafted to Queenborough Yacht Club’s lighter in the Swale. Both provide a shorter hop to Grain Edge.

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SAFETY NOTE: THAMES ESTUARY – WEATHER WARNING

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It is essential to verify that the WIND is not greater than Force 3, but preferably Force 1 or 2, before proceeding past SHORNMEAD LIGHT (TILBURY) on the way out, or past GRAIN HARD / GARRISON POINT on the return. You should turn back at these points if increases in WIND are forecast, as the journey through the ESTUARY takes 3 hours in an unprotected area with no shelter easily accessible

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TRANSIT TO THE MEDWAY

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This trip can only be undertaken when the weather forecast is Fine with Good Visibility and maximum Wind Force 3 in the Estuary. Transit starts from BOW LOCKS which need to be booked 24 hours in advance. (Phone 020 7517 5570) Avoid strong SPRING tides. The best CHART for the transit around GRAIN SPIT and the tidal Medway is Stanfords Chart No.8 The NORTH KENT COAST. Chart, compass and binoculars are essential for the lead boat. The remainder of the Thames route is on Imray Yachting Chart C2 River Thames (Teddington to Southend).

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BEFORE YOU LEAVE

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Check Weather Forecast before departure with Met Off ice (Phone 0891 226 455) and Medway Radio at Sheerness, Channel 74 (Phone 01795 663025). Speak to Port Control London to check the condition of and traffic on the lower tideway, Channel 13 (Phone 01474 560311). If forecast is not good — DO NOT GO. (i.e. Wind in excess of Force 3).

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DEPARTURE ROUTINE

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Notify Thames Barrier/London VTS, Channel 14 (Phone 020 8855 0315) of your planned Barrier Transit when you clear Blackwall Point; and seek permission to transit when you have the barrier in sight

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TRANSIT MONITORING

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The timing of the transit is the key to success and you must keep a log of Way Points to verify your speed. In the Estuary and going up the Medway, mark off the buoys on your chart/checklist as you pass them. This way you will know exactly where you are. Remember to keep to the right hand third of the river and out of the Fairway channels used by larger craft.

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TRANSIT TIMINGS

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Timings of the transit are as follows:

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Leave BOW LOCKS                                                        HW LB –1 hour

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THAMES BARRIER                                                       AT HW LB

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FORD MOTOR WORKS DAGENHAM                                         HW LB +1 hour

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BROADNESS POINT/GRAYS                                                         HW LB +2 hours

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MUCKING No.3 BUOY/LOWER HOPE                                         HW LB +3 hours to +3.25 hours

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EAST BLYTH BUOY                                                       HW LB +4 hours to +4.25 hours

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NORE SWATCH BUOY                                                  HW LB +4.75 hours to +5.5 hours

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GRAIN EDGE BUOY or Medway Channel No.11                 HW LB +5 hours to +5.75 hours

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MED WAY TRANSIT

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Follow buoyed channel up Medway, keeping to RIGHT of Channel.

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GRAIN EDGE BUOY to ROCHESTER                              12 miles or approx. 2 hours

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ROCHESTER to ALLINGTON TIDE LOCK                       13 miles or approx. 2.25 hours

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(Allington Lock High Water is Sheerness +50 minutes)

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POINTS TO REMEMBER

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Timings of the Tideway can vary depending on tide flows. It is essential to be within the above Way Point timings for a safe passage. Non-tidal section of Medway—At ALLINGTON LOCK, which is open from THREE HOURS before to TWO HOURS after high water, buy your MEDWAY LICENCE for the non-tidal River. Chart The Upper Reaches of the River Medway. (Imray, Laurie Norie and Wilson). ALWAYS ENSURE THAT YOU GIVE LOCK KEEPERS ADVANCE WARNING OF YOUR E.T.A.

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MED WAY TIMINGS

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ALLINGTON to MAIDSTONE                                           0.5 hours

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MAIDSTONE to YALDING (8 miles 3 locks)                       2.5 hours

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YALDING to TONBRIDGE (8 miles 6 locks)                       3.75 hours

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Craft with air draught of less than 5.5 feet can proceed for about half a mile, turning just beyond the Tonbridge to London Railway Bridge where the river widens to return to the moorings at Tonbridge Town Wharf just below the main town road bridge.

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FOR THE RETURN JOURNEY USE THE SAME TIDEWAY TIMINGS IN REVERSE ORDER.

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Boats can break their Medway transit at Gillingham Marina, VHF 37/80 (Phone: 01634 280022). Allow 11/4 hours to Grain Edge or overnight rafted to the Queenborough Harbour Lighter. Contact Queenborough Yacht Club, 7 High Street, Queenborough, Sheppey, Kent ME11 5AA. Email secretary@queenboroughyc.co.uk for details. Allow 1/2 hour to Grain Edge.

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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

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SPCC NOTES ON VISITING THE RIVER THAMES

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HORN SIGNALS

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The term Short Blast means a blast of about 1 second duration The term Long Blast means a blast of about 4–5 seconds duration

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SIGNAL                                                                  MEANING

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1 short blast                                                             I am altering my course to starboard  (RIGHT)

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2 short blasts                                                            I am altering my course to port (LEFT)

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3 short blasts                                                           My engines are going astern

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5 or more short blasts                                               You are not taking sufficient action to avoid me; or I do not understand your intentions or actions

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4 short blasts followed by 1 short blast                   I am turning round with my head (BOW) swinging to starboard (RIGHT)

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4 short blasts followed by 2 short blasts                      I am turning round with my head (BOW) swinging to port (LEFT)

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1 prolonged blast                                                     I am about to get underway, i.e. depart from moorings, jetty or dock entrance

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2 long blasts followed by 1 short blast                        I am about to overtake on your starboard   (RIGHT) side

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The reply by the vessel being overtaken indicating readiness to be overtaken is 1 long blast, 1 short blast, 1 long blast and 1 short blast

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2 long blasts followed by 2 short blasts                       I am about to overtake on your port (LEFT) side

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The reply by the vessel being overtaken indicating readiness to be overtaken is 1 long blast, 1 short blast, 1 long blast and 1 short blast 

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SAFETY

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Anyone navigating a vessel without due care and attention, or in such a manner as to cause damage to other vessels or property or cause injury to persons is guilty of an offence under the Port of London rules and conditions

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These signals are made by power driven vessels to indicate their own intended actions to other vessels. However with the ever increasing use of VHF R/T by all classes of vessels, especially by commercial craft, there is less likelihood of sound signals being used. The PLA does not encourage this practice. While small craft should therefore be extra careful and aware of this malpractice, it is strongly urged that smaller craft use sound signals.

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To view an entry please click on the thumbnail, which will open the photograph in a new window.
rnAll photographs are the copyright of their respective owners. Please do not download or copy any photograph without the owner’s permission.

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rnPhoto 01: Peace at Last by John Serocold

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Photo 02: Thermopylae at Rest (for once!) by John Serocold

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Photo 03: Chaos Organised by Mikki Rain

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Photo 04: Lock Jam by Mikki Rain

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Photo 05: Norton Junction by Mikki Rain

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Photo 06: Paint Job by Mikki Rain

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RUNNER UP – Photo 07: Sommerton by Mikki Rain

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RUNNER UP – Photo 08: Midnight! And time for reflection! by Sallyann Ford

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Photo 09: Brunel’s Railway Bridge (& Otis). Moulsford, June 2024 by Sally How

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Photo 10: Moorings at Windsor Home Park, May 2024 by Sally How

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Photo 11: Otis enjoying the view from Möbius. Taplow, June 2024 by Sally How

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WINNER – Photo 12: Panacea and Little Layla cruising by the Palace of Westminster, Fund British Waterways 2024 by Sally How

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Photo 13: Swift Ditch, June 2024 by Sally How

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Photo 14: Regents Canal Islington Tunnel 20th June 2024 by Tim Lewis

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RUNNER UP – Photo 15: Fulbourne Boating FBW Campaign Cruise Limehouse To Margaretness then Brentford Via Westminster 8th May 2024 by Tim Lewis

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RUNNER UP – Photo 16: Regents Canal Walk 18th May 2024 by Tim Lewis

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Photo 17: Fulbourne Boating FBW Campaign Cruise Limehouse To Margaretness then Brentford Via Westminster 8th May 2024 by Tim Lewis

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Photo 18: A wet days boating 3rd May 2024 by Tim Lewis

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Photo 19: Sunset over Saint Pancras by Julie Clark

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Photo 20: Sunshine between the clouds by Julie Clark

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Photo 21: A bit of Christmas sparkle by Julie Clark

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Photo 22: Calm autumn evening by Julie Clark

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Content to be added.

To view an entry please click on the thumbnail, which will open the photograph in a new window.
rnAll photographs are the copyright of their respective owners. Please do not download or copy any photograph without the owner’s permission.

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rnPhoto 1: CovenTree Canal June 25

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Photo 2: Watering Hole – Trent and Mersey Canal June 2025

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Photo 3: Immersed in Nature, Shropshire Union Canal near Market Drayton May 2025

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Photo 4: Grand Design – Shropshire Union Canal May 2025

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Photo 5: Swans, River Severn April 2025

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Photo 6: Big boy leaving the lock

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Photo 7: untitled

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Photo 8: After the rain Cliveden summer 2025

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Photo 9: After the rain Cliveden summer 2025

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Photo 10: After the rain Cliveden summer 2025

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Photo 11: Islington tunnel Icicle Cruise 2025

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Photo 12: Islington tunnel Icicle Cruise 2025

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Photo 13: Islington tunnel Icicle Cruise 2025

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Photo 14: Islington tunnel Icicle Cruise 2025

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Photo 15: Islington tunnel Icicle Cruise 2025

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Photo 16: Boston Stump – arriving from Wisbech

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Photo 17: Commodore and First Lady with Baroness

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Photo 18: Campaigning at Westminster

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Photo 19: Arboriculture on the Trent and Mersey

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Photo 20: Early spring boating

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Photo 21: Our Bridge

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Photo 22: Festival Night

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Photo 23: Watching

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Photo 24: A Man at Peace with Himself

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Photo 25: Illuminations

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Photo 26: Only the shoes know why

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Photo 27: untitled

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Photo 28: untitled

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Photo 29: Fiona Burt in Tarporley kitchen

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Photo 30: Steve and Fiona Burt on Tarporley

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Photo 31: Lush

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Photo 32: Departing West India

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Photo 33: Jules Fuels Hound

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Photo 34: Loughton Hills

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Photo 35: Linseed Flower Field

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Photo 36: Towing in a tunnel

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Photo 37: Fund Britain’s Waterways: Doris Katia approaching Blackfriars Bridge

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Photo 38: Limehouse Basin gathering for Fund British Waterways Cruise

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Photo 39: Egyptian Geese perched on Gasholder Park opposite SPCC

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Photo 40: Junior Family Member helping at Camden Locks

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Photo 41: Hatton Locks and St Mary’s Warwick in distance

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Photo 42: A green entry to Birmingham

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Photo 43: Dawn exit from Sharpness Docks

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Photo 44: Calm waters in the Bristol Channel

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Photo 45: Horse boat passing at Kintbury on the Kennett & Avon

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Photo 46: Do you think they heard us!

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Photo 47: Heavy Traffic In Westminster

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Photo 48: Lost In Stoke Bruerne!

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Photo 49: The sune is over the yardarm someshere!

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Photo 50: Which way up!

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Photo 51: Don’t forget the handbrake

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Photo 52: Foxton lock gates

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Opening hours of 8 – 11pm on Wednesdays and midday – 2pm on Sundays.

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Fresh water and portable toilet (Elsan) disposal are available from the service mooring just above St Pancras lock on the other side from the tow path. The disposal point is on the corner of the long white building, behind the fuel tank, and the water tap is close by. There is no charge to use either service.

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Please do not dispose of wet wipes, moist toilet tissues or similar items in the portable toilet disposal point.

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There are bins for recycling and boaters’ domestic waste in the car park adjacent to the lock. There are no facilities for disposal of fit out waste, waste oil, contaminated bilge water, batteries, gas cylinders or other large items. Please do not leave any of these in the car park.

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St Pancras Dry Dock is run as a separate business and St Pancras Cruising Club is not responsible for the work carried out in the dry dock. For dry dock services please contact the Dry Dock operator using the contact page, selecting the category “Dry dock”.

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Diesel fuel and Pump-Out services will be available at the Club between 10:30am and 3:30pm on the following days in 2025

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         Saturday 4th April 2026

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        Saturday 9th May  2026

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        Saturday 13th June 2026

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        Saturday 4th July 2026

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        Saturday 1st August 2026

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        Saturday 5th September 2026

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                                                               Saturday 3rd October 2026

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                                                               Saturday 14th November 2026

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                                                                Saturday 5th December 2026

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          Only card payments are accepted.

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          Cost of pumpouts is £30

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          Appointments are not required and will not be taken.

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There are other pump-outs in London including Paddington Arm: Little Venice Visitor Mooring and Atlip Road, Alperton (offside service mooring at Bridge 11A Railway) Regent’s Canal: Talavera Moorings, offside above Acton’s Lock (Lock 7) and Limehouse Basin Lee Navigation: East Wick Service Mooring (below Bridge 14A Newham Way) and Stonebridge Lock (Lock 16)

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