Guidance from harbour master as River flow increases
A warning to all boat owners on the Thames has been issued by the Environment Agency and Harbour Master, Eileen McKeever today as the torential rain that fell in the West last week and over the weekend makes its way across the country to the Thames Estuary. The warning message is reprinted in full below:
We are still experiencing very, very strong streams on the Thames. The river is out of banks in some places and levels are continuing to increase from Abingdon downstream.
PLEASE DO NOT NAVIGATE – MOOR IN A SAFE PLACE, PREFERABLY IN A MARINA OR A RECOGNISED MOORING. LIMITED SPACE IS AVAILABLE AT SOME LOCKS, FREE OF CHARGE.
? Ensure your mooring lines are fastened to secure fixings such as trees or mooring bollards. Put out extra lines for additional security and allow enough slack for a further rise in river levels. Do not rely upon your own mooring pins – they will not hold fast.
? Put out your anchor and preferably two – one each at bow and stern.
? If you can, put fendering (e.g. scaffold poles) between your boat and the river bank to prevent the boat drifting onto the bank side and becoming caught up.
? Make sure you have a safe exit from the boat. If there is not, please think about returning home or finding alternative accommodation until the stream moderates.
THE RIVER IS DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE WHEN IN FLOOD
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE ANY RISKS – PUT YOUR SAFETY FIRST
For further information: –
? For recorded Thames specific river conditions updates please telephone our FLOODLINE on 0845 988 1188 and press 1 when prompted, followed by 011131
? Listen for information broadcasts on local radio
? For any urgent enquiry, please telephone the Environment Agency’s 24 hour hotline on 0800 80 70 60
? IN AN EMERGENCY INVOLVING IMMINENT RISK TO SAFETY CALL 999
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE STRONG STREAM CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY TO REMAIN FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS
If you would like to receive similar information from us by email in future, please email: visitthames@environment-agency.gov.uk including ‘navigation info’ in the subject field.