Notice

Michaelmas Novice Regatta 2023: river restriction notice

Published 25 October 2023

This notice was withdrawn on

River restriction no longer in force.

When

Wednesday 22 November to Friday 24 November 2023, 11:30am to 4:30pm.

Saturday 25 November 2023, 10:30am to 4:30pm.

Where

Iffley Reach, between Donnington Bridge and Folly Bridge.

Details

The navigation channel downstream for smaller craft will be right bank transit, marked by different coloured buoys. The navigation channel upstream will be on the left bank. The centre will be available to larger cruiser’s both upstream and downstream. The centre navigation channel will also be available in between races.

Racing boats will use a strict circulation pattern from various locations, Master of vessels please be aware that the race boats will be entering from the following locations: The gut, top gut, bottom gut, the boathouse, Longbridges, University, and Donnington Bridge.

Regatta boards will mark the upstream and downstream ends of the course.

Racing will be held between 11:30am to 4:30pm on Wednesday 22 to Friday 24 November 2023 and 10:30am to 4:30pm on 25 November 2023.

You should keep to a safe speed and be aware of other boats near the event.

You must follow any instructions given from Environment Agency control points or patrol launches.

You are responsible for avoiding collisions. You should use all available means appropriate to the situation to avoid risk.

Swimming is not allowed on or near the course during the stated times.

All directions as to the left and right side of the river are given looking upstream.

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.