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Thames 1, from Holehaven to the Thames Barrier.
Courtesy Flag
Flag, Red EnsignWaypoint
None GivenCharts
Admiralty 2484, SC5606Rules & Regulations
Small Craft to keep away from oil terminals, see text.Hazards
LOTS of shipping, unrestricted speed up to London.Tidal Data Times & Range
HW Dover + 0250 at London Bridge approx, MHWS 7.0m, MHWN 5.9m, MLWN 1.3m, MLWS 0.5m at London Bridge. We give a link to the Tide tables for Tilbury. (links)This site is designed for slower, roaming broadband connections, like you would get at sea, so it needs JavaScript enabled to expand the text. Click here to show the fully expanded version
General Description
The River Thames from Hole Haven onwards takes on a completely different character from the large open expanses of the Thames Estuary. It narrows down and runs through many reaches and bends before arriving at the Thames Barrier.
It is heavily in use by commercial traffic, including large ships, and anyone contemplating making their way to London by boat needs to thoroughly familiarise themselves with the rules and regulations for avoidance of collisions.
It is around 40 miles from the entrance of the Medway or Hole Haven to London, and with a bit of planning it can be accomplished on one tide. It is worth noting that once committed to making the passage there aren't really any sheltered places to bring up at anchor... ... read more
Approach
If planning to navigate through the area described and get to one of the central London marinas it would be wise to do two things, firstly book your berth with one of them, and secondly check that the Thames Barrier is not going to be closed completely on the day you plan to sail.
Contact details for the marinas are given later, and you can telephone the Thames Barrier Control on 020 8855 0315 to check. The link below gives details of Thames Barrier closures this summer (2014):
... read more
Berthing, Mooring & Anchoring
The passage up the River to the Thames Barrier has already been described, so this section deals with mooring possibilities for the yachtsman or motorboater en route. They are covered in the order you will come across them as you head up River, and this area coverage ends at Gallions Point Marina, near the Thames Barrier...
Mucking Flats Anchorage: ... read more
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