Tag: archived

Content to be added.

NOTES ON VISITING THE THAMES CREEKS

rnrn

BOW CREEK and DEPTFORD CREEK

rnrn

BOW CREEK — A trip down Bow Creek to the Lighthouse at Creek Mouth provides a unique excursion and with the right timing is perfectly safe for narrowboats. It is essential to book Bow Locks 24 hours in advance as normally the locks are unmanned. (Telephone: 020 7517 5570). Aim to leave Bow Locks 11/2 hours before High Water London Bridge (HWLB). Keep to the centre of the channel and take great care on the various blind bends. There was a waste transfer site just downstream of Bow Locks. Watch out for tugs moving lighters or for transfer taking place. Turn inside the Creek Mouth by the lighthouse. The outward trip against the tide takes 35 minutes and 25 minutes for the return trip on the tide. Bow Locks should be open on your return which will be just before high water. However, it is essential to ensure you have pre-booked the lock keeper for the return journey.

rnrn

DEPTFORD CREEK — A visit to Deptford Creek is best organised from Bow. Leave 21/2 hours before HWLB. Take care to keep to the centre of Bow Creek. The tidal river journey from Bow Locks via Bow Creek, the Thames and Deptford Creek will take up to 13/4 hours, plus an extra 40 minutes for the Deptford Creek. Whilst cruising down Bow Creek and into the Thames boats will have to PUNCH THE TIDE. On turning upstream boats on the cruise will gain the benefit of the 4 knot incoming tide. At normal main line canal cruising revs with the tide run most boats will move at a speed of 6 mph. Deptford Creek entrance is sometimes difficult to see, so check your map. Proceed up the CENTRE OF THE CREEK and TURN WHERE MARKED ON THE MAP. Retrace your route to return to the Creek Mouth and then continue upstream. Boats should reach Limehouse Lock before the Top of the Tide. Call on VHF 80 just before you arrive at the lock so that the keeper can get it ready. Skippers should be ready to follow the Lockmaster’s directions at Limehouse. Be ready to stand off and await locking through. Please have a note of your BW Licence Number handy as all craft licences may be checked at this point. The number is the one at the bottom of your licence disc.

rnrn

DURING YOUR TRIP ON THE TIDAL THAMES PLEASE TAKE EXTRA CARE

rnrn

Remember:

rnrn

rn
1. KEEP TO THE RIGHT; DO NOT STRAY OUT TO THE CENTRE OF RIVER. FOLLOW THE NORTHERN BANK AND PASS INSIDE BARGE MOORINGS.

rn

2. BEWARE OF DRIFT WOOD AND COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC IN BOW CREEK AND ON THE THAMES.

rn

3. DO NOT SAIL TOO CLOSE TO THE THAMES BUOYS AND PIERS AS THE TIDE RUN WILL CATCH YOU and distort your course. Take care before turning across the tide-way to the mouth of Bow Creek. WATCH OUT FOR CRAFT COMING FAST UPSTREAM ON THE TIDE. GIVE ONE LONG BLAST ON YOUR HORN ON EXIT.

rn

4. WATCH OUT FOR THE WASH of trips boats and commercial craft, especially between Greenwich and Limehouse Lock. Turn your bow into the waves and then return to your normal course after you have ridden the waves.

rn

5. WATCH OUT FOR THE BARGE TOWS. All being well they should have gone up river before we leave Bow Creek.

rn

6. ROWERS are sometimes in evidence around Greenwich. HOOT WITH ONE BLAST if you are in doubt that they have not realised you are there.

rn

7. CHECK BOTH UP AND DOWNSTREAM FOR OTHER TRAFFIC BEFORE TURNING TO CROSS THE FAIRWAY TO DEPTFORD CREEK ENTRANCE. Do not turn too early; in that way you avoid the large buoys downstream of the Creek Mouth.

rn

8. Keep to the centre of the channel up Deptford Creek. Take the centre lifting span of the lattice girder lifting railway bridge. Turn at the entrance end of the Upper Basin as the far end tends to collect rubbish and shopping trolleys underwater. 70ft boats may find it easier to turn in the mouth of the short arm just before the Creek Head.

rn

9. Headroom at NARROW STREET BRIDGE IS RESTRICTED. Check your height before trying to pass under it. If in doubt wait on the outer pontoon (East Side) until the tide ebbs or the bridge swings.

rn

10. EMERGENCY moorings are marked on the map supplied. Those at Greenland Pier are available ONLY if craft are in difficulty. Otherwise tie alongside moored barges if you cannot proceed and signal for assistance.

rn

rnrn

REMINDERS — Book the locks at Bow 24 hours in advance—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 the PLA regulations to carry a VHF Marine Radio.

rnrn

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

rn

Content to be added.

Content to be added.

Content to be added.

Content to be added.

St Pancras Cruising Club – Committee

rnrn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn Name rn	rn Position rn	rn Email rn
rn Colin Parlett rn	rn Commodore rn	rn commodore@stpancrascc.co.uk rn
rn David Leppard rn	rn Vice Commodore rn	rn vicecommodore@stpancrascc.co.uk rn
rn   rn	rn Rear Commodore rn
rn Garrie Naden rn	rn Hon. Treasurer rn	rn treasurer@stpancrascc.co.uk rn
rn Paul Willett rn	rn Hon. Harbourmaster rn	rn harbourmaster@stpancrascc.co.uk rn
rn Tony Hay rn	rn Hon. Secretary rn	rn secretary@stpancrascc.co.uk rn
rn Tim Lewis rn	rn Committee member and Web Master rn	rn – rn
Mikki Rain	Committee member
Oli Soutar	Committee member
rn Julie Clark rn	rn Committee member rn	rn Gardening Co-ordinator rn
Sallyann Ford	Committee member	Membership officer   Membership@stpancrascc.co.uk
rn Christina Oelgemoller rn	rn Committee member rn	rn Data Protection Officer rn
Steve Burt	Committee member

rnrn

 

rnrn

St Pancras Cruising Club – Other Officers

rnrn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn Sash Keir rn

rn Hon. Vice President rn

rn vicepresident@stpancrascc.co.uk rn

rnrn

 

rnrn

rnFull List Of Club Officers And Committee members 

rn

rnrn

Exit Bow Locks HW, – 3.5 hours Bow Creek Mouth HW, – 3 hours

rnrn

rnrn

rnrn

Tour of Creek 0.9 hours maximum                              Arrive Bow Locks HW, + 1 hour (A diversion to Limehouse takes +2hrs)

rnrn

THE CRUISE DETAILS

rnrn

The trip involves pushing against the tide for much of the outward journey and some of the return trip. The timings depend on the engine size and the hull profile. The following times relate to a reasonable hull shape powered by a 1500cc engine.

rnrn

Two factors control the trip; the TIDES and WEATHER. A tide at the neap end is preferable to a Spring. The trip must be made in daylight with good visibility and a wind no greater than FORCE 3, preferably less.

rnrn

The cruise starts at Bow Locks which must be pre-booked. Although the locks nominally open 4 hours before high water, experience suggests there is not usually enough water for a safe exit until around 3.5 hours before High Water. The lock keeper will tell us when the levels are right. Leave Bow as soon as the lock keeper allows and follow the centre line of the creek to the mouth. This will take about 30 minutes. Check for other craft on the Thames, then give a long blast on your horn and cross the fairway to follow the southern shore downstream. Call Woolwich Barrier Control (VHF 14) to gain clearance for transit. Pass between the green arrows at the Thames Barrier Spans. Check your passage past the Woolwich Ferry as they move very quickly from shore to shore. Continue downstream to the Barking Creek Mouth. Do not cross the fairway too soon as the tide run is on the Northern side here and it will push you upstream; i.e. turn below the Creek Mouth. Keep inside the Yellow Barrel Buoy which marks the end of a shoal and pass under the Flood Barrier at the Creek Mouth.

rnrn

The journey time from Bow Creek Mouth to Barking Creek Mouth is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. Aim to arrive at the Creek Mouth around 1.75 hours before High Tide at Bow, but this is only 1.25 hours before High Water at Barking.

rnrn

Take extra care as you pass through the Barking Flood Barrier and proceed up the Creek following a centre line. Take extra care at the new Tidal Barrage site adjacent to Regent Oil Co. Wharf. Check that the lights are showing green which indicates the Barrage is open and proceed up to the Mill Pool where you turn. Watch out in the Creek for floating ropes, etc. The journey up the Creek to the barrage takes 20 minutes. The Mill Pool takes another 5 minutes.

rnrn

Take your photos but do not dawdle. Aim to spend 50 minutes maximum within Barking Creek before heading back upstream. The aim is to pass between the Green Arrows of the Thames Barrier before the tide turns. Here again clearance must be obtained for transit. (Call VHF 14).

rnrn

The aim is to reach Bow Creek Mouth by High Water Bow plus 20 minutes to ensure a safe transit back to Bow Locks which close 2 hours after High Water. You need to remember that by one hour after high water the tide run down the Creek gets much faster, and your progress against it much slower. In consequence if you enter Bow Creek Mouth later than one hour after high water you will have difficulty in reaching the locks before they close through lack of draught. In this situation it is better to continue up the Thames to Limehouse where the lock remains operational for 3.5 hours after HWLB. That journey, pushing against an out flowing tide will take at least 2 hours

rnrn

On arrival at the Locks at Bow the keeper should be waiting. You will then have completed your transit to Barking Creek. If you divert to Limehouse, please remember to phone Bow Locks to cancel your return booking. By prior arrangement, it is possible to stay over in Barking Creek above the barrier. In such circumstances the return trip can normally be made on the following day’s tide. It is best to leave as soon as the incoming tide makes a level and the barrier gates can open.

rnrn

USEFUL CONTACTS:

rnrn

Bow Locks Locks to the River Thames | Boating in London

rnrn

Barking Tidal Barrier 01474 562250,

rnrn

Weather Forecast 0891 226 456

rnrn

Woolwich Barrier Control 020 8855 0315,

rnrn

Barking Barrier Bookings 020 8227 3202,

rnrn

Barking Wharf Moorings 020 8591 7324

rnrn

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

rn

Fossdyke & Witham Navigations Navigation authority: Canal & River Trust

rnrn

Facilities map (Fossdyke)

rnrn

River gauge data from Gaugemap Jim Shead’s waterway pages (Fossdyke)

rnrn

im Shead’s waterway pages (Witham) Simon Judge’s blog on the Witham Navigable Drains Boat Clubs:

rnrn

Burton Waters Boat Club Torksey Yacht Club

rnrn

Wash Transit

rnrn

Wisbech Harbour Authority

rnrn

Local Notices to Mariners

rnrn

Simon Judge’s blog of his Wash transit in 2015.

rnrn

River Great Ous

rnrn

e Navigation authority: Environment Agency (EA)

rnrn

Bridge heights,

rnrn

locks,

rnrn

overhead power lines and facilities

rnrn

River advice Navigation closures, notices and river conditions

rnrn

Register for the EA strong stream

rnrn

alerts for the Bedford Ouse (Earith to Bedford) EA waterways team Twitter feed River gauge data from Gaugemap Great Ouse Boating Association – well worth joining for access to their mooring sites. Facilities guide River levels Great Ouse Boater Facebook group Bridge Boatyard waterway map (download) Jim Shead’s waterway pages Boat clubs: Bedford Boat Club Denver Cruising Club Ouse Valley River Club Pike and Eel Boat Club (St.Ives) Upware Boat Club Whitehouse Boating Club (St Neots) Connected Waterways

rnrn

River Wissey River Little Ouse River Lark Cambridgeshire Lodes River Cam

rnrn

Navigation authority: Conservators of the River Cam

rnrn

Boating home page Short term licences River dimensions (download) Short stay moorings Facilities map River levels Cambridge City Council – moorings Jim Shead’s waterway pages Boat clubs: Cambridge Motor Boat Club (Waterbeach) Middle Level Navigations Navigation authority: Middle Level Commissioners Navigation Home Navigation Notes, River Advice for Boaters, Navigation Byelaws Navigation Map & Map showing minimum headrooms for low bridges Suspension of Navigation Notices Peterborough IWA – cruising times & distances Jim Shead’s waterway pages Bilfen Marina – map (download) Boat clubs: March Cruising Club Middle Level Watermens’ Club River Nene

rnrn

Navigation authority: Environment Agency

rnrn

Bridge heights,

rnrn

locks,

rnrn

overhead power lines and facilities River advice Navigation closures, notices and river conditions Guide to Visitor Moorings, Water Points, Pump-Out and Elsan facilities (download) Register for the EA strong stream alerts for the Nene EA waterways team Twitter feed River gauge data from Gaugemap Friends of the River Nene – maintain their own mooring sites Facilities guide Guide to Nene moorings Jim Shead’s waterway pages Peterborough IWA – cruising times & distances Boat clubs: Association of Nene River Clubs Barnwell Boat Club Elton Boat Club Middle Nene Cruising Club Northampton Boat Club Oundle Cruising Club Peterborough Yacht Club Other East Anglian Waterways Association

rn

SPCC NOTES ON VISITING THAMES CREEKS

rnrn

DARTFORD AND CRAYFORD NAVIGATIONS

rnrn

The key to a successful visit to the Dartford and Crayford Navigations is the use of the tide. The Creek experiences high and low water approximately 45 minutes before London Bridge. (The Thames Barrier tide is 20 minutes prior to London Bridge). For simplicity this summary works on tide times at London Bridge. However, please remember the further downstream you are, the earlier the tide changes. One must always remember that progress against the tide run takes TWICE as long as passage with the tide. Also allow extra time for a boat with an engine under 35hp or with a less than smooth hull line. Because of this, the timings given in this sheet can only be a guide.

rnrn

The Dartford and Crayford Navigations effectively dry out at low tide. The Lock Gates at Dartford have been removed. The lock is now the head of navigation on that Arm It is still possible to visit, and turn in, the Terminus Basin on the Cray Arm, which lies just beyond the railway arch. This basin offers the only safe off-river mooring, if you miss the tide window or need to stay overnight, as it has a flat gravel bed.

rnrn

Dartford Creek Mouth lies 13 miles downstream of Limehouse Lock. With the out flowing ebb tide the journey takes around 2.5 hours, but even longer once the tide turns. The aim is to arrive at the Creek Mouth so that one can enter it 2 hours 15 minutes after low water London Bridge. It is only after this time, on the inflowing tide, that there is sufficient depth of water to make an easy entrance to the Creek mouth. This has to be entered from downstream because of a substantial silt bar that projects from the upstream end of the creek entrance.

rnrn

The safest way to visit the Navigations from the canal system is via Limehouse Lock and then to make full use of the ebb and flood tides. Boats should aim to exit Limehouse Lock 2 hours 15 minutes before Low Water London Bridge. This allows a passage downstream using the tail end of the ebb tide. Keep to the right hand third of the main river. To avoid a long wait for sufficient water in the Creek Mouth it is possible to continue downstream pushing against the tide to reach the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. But remember you need to allow 20 minutes for the return to the Creek from the Bridge on the flood to arrive at the optimum entry time.

rnrn

If you decide to forgo the visit to the bridge, either turn downstream of the mouth and ‘bottom’ your craft on the mud in the entrance to the Creek; or better still, hold off against the barge buoys that are sited just downstream of the Creek Mouth at the south side of the main channel and wait for the flood to run in to provide sufficient water for entry into the Creek.

rnrn

By Low Water London Bridge plus 2 hours 15 minutes the water levels should be just sufficient to proceed slowly into the Creek and on through the Flood Barrage. Proceed slowly up the centre of the channel, monitoring water depth as you go. The Creek’s main arm is 2.25 miles in length, and this journey will take around 45 minutes. Turn in the wider area just below the lock, where an outlet on the west quayside scours out the mud. You can reverse from here into the lock chamber and take your photos—but do not wait too long. Allow 15 minutes to get back to the junction and a further half hour to explore the Crayford Arm. To do so, continue along the right hand arm and under the railway bridge, through to the Terminal Basin which is still navigable. By then the water depth will be good and should allow a speedy return to the Creek Mouth. High Water at Creek Mouth comes 45 minutes before HW London Bridge. Your aim must be to reach the main river well before that time so as to use the flow of the incoming tide to push you upstream. The round trip up the Creeks and back usually takes approximately 1 hour 35 minutes. You should aim to leave Creek Mouth for the return journey upstream by about High Water London Bridge minus 2 hours. This will provide you with a run on the incoming tide almost to the Thames Barrier.

rnrn

Be ready to step up your revs when the tide turns for the final leg to Limehouse Lock. As a rough guide you need to double your downstream times for that part of your return route after the tide has turned. You ETA should be around HW LB plus two hours, provided you have reached the Thames Barrier when the tide turns. This arrival is likely to be outside of Core Hours, thus the Limehouse Return Lockage will need to be pre-booked, at least two days in advance via the Canal & River Trust Web site at Locks to the River Thames | Boating in London. Lockmaster on VHF Channel 80.

rnrn

All transits through the Thames Barrier also need to be confirmed on the day of transit with London VTS (VHF Marine channel 14) or by phone – 020 8855 0315. The first reporting call should be made when you are at Blackwall Point on the outward journey and again before the Woolwich Ferry on your return leg.

rnrn

All boats making the trip should ensure they have enough fuel. A full tank is preferable since sedimenting of filters caused by wave movement is then less likely to occur. Pushing against the tide doubles fuel consumption. Oil and water levels also should be topped up before you leave Limehouse. Your anchor must also be at the ready with 50 metres of line and at least 2 metres of chain at the anchor end.

rnrn

If the weather is forecast on the day is for winds above Force 3, or for poor visibility, you should postpone the trip to the next day. The timings then will be around one hour later. It is also wise to verify, in advance, with the Environment Agency that no Dartford Barrier test closure are planned to coincide with you intended date of transit.

rnrn

For ease of reference an indicative timetable would be:

rnrn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn Low Water LB 11.15 rn	rn HW LB 17.03 rn
rn Out Limehouse Lock rn	rn 09.00 rn
rn Thames Barrier rn	rn 10.05 rn
rn Barking Creek rn	rn 10.30 rn
rn Crossness rn	rn 10.50 rn
rn Crayfordness rn	rn 12.00 rn

rnrn

Moor or QEII Bridge and return

rnrn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn Enter Creek rn	rn 13.30 rn
rn Dartford Lock (Turn) rn	rn 14.15 rn
rn Cray Junction rn	rn 14.25 rn
rn Crayford Basin (Turn) rn	rn 14.40 rn
rn Cray Junction rn	rn 14.55 rn
rn Out Creek Mouth rn	rn 15.10 rn
rn Barking Barrier rn	rn 16.30 rn
rn Thames Barrier rn	rn 17.10 rn
rn Limehouse Lock rn	rn 19.10 rn

rnrn

 

rnrn

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

rn