Notice

Hampton Head 2024: river closure notice

Published 23 January 2024

This notice was withdrawn on

Closure notice no longer in force.

When

Saturday 3 February 2024, 8:30am to 11:30am and 12:30pm to 3:30pm.

Where

Molesey reach, Garrick’s Ait to Sunbury Lock.

Details

The River Thames between Garrick’s Ait and Sunbury Lock will be closed to all traffic other than authorised boats from 8:30am to 11:30am and 12:30pm to 3:30pm on Saturday 3 February 2024.

Be aware racing boats will assemble downstream of Sunbury Lock half an hour before racing starts.

Mooring and anchoring at all authorised public, commercial or domestic moorings is permitted provided that any additional directions given by our Waterway Officers are followed, and no obstruction is caused to the event.

Those in charge of all boats must observe any directions given by our Waterway Officers.

Those in charge of boats should also be aware that they are responsible for avoiding collision and should use all available means appropriate to the circumstances and conditions to decide if there is a risk of immediate danger and avoid it.

Swimming is not allowed in the river between Sunbury Lock and Garrick’s Ait during these times.

Byelaws

Nothing contained in these directions shall supersede those parts of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 and the UK Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996 as may be relevant. Particular attention should be paid to byelaws 24-42 of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993, Steering Sailing and Speed.

And Notice is hereby given, that it is provided by Byelaw 52 of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 that:

The master of any vessel shall except in an emergency not pass any boat-race regatta public procession or gathering for the launch of a vessel or any other event or function which may cause a crowd to assemble on or by the river nor station his vessel thereon in such a manner as would risk obstructing impeding or interfering with such boat-race regatta procession launching event or function or endangering the safety of persons assembling on the river or preventing or interfering with the maintenance of order thereon.

The maximum penalty for breach of the Byelaws is £1,000.

Read our Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993.