Marina Information (use the

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Charts & Images

Thames 1, from Holehaven to the Thames Barrier.

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Courtesy Flag

Flag, Red Ensign

Waypoint

None Given

Charts

Admiralty 2484, SC5606

Rules & 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

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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:

http://www.pla.co.uk/notice2mariners/index.cfm/flag/2/id/3614/site/navigation

Unless you have an extremely fast motorboat (speed is unrestricted in this stretch), you will have to plan to use the tides for this 40 mile plus passage. Bearing in mind the tidal streams can reach 4 kn in the River, and that high water at London comes about an hour later than high water around Southend, you can carry seven hours of fair tide. Even so you will have to maintain a steady pace, and it is unlikely you will be able to get much sailing in, if any.

Ideal points of departure are from Queenborough in the West Swale, or possibly from the Anchorage at Hole Haven, Canvey.

Pilotage Directions... ... read more