Notice

The Royal Wedding - Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank: river restriction notice

Published 4 October 2018

This notice was withdrawn on 25 October 2018

River restriction no longer in force

When

Friday 12 October 2018.

Where

Old Windsor Lock to Boveney Lock.

Details

General directions for navigation and mooring:

We wish to ensure the safe transit and mooring of all boat owners intending to travel to or navigating through Windsor during this time. Those in charge of boats must conform with these directions and with any special directions which, at the discretion of the Harbour Master, may be required in particular circumstances.

Navigation

(a) All boats must navigate in accordance with instructions given from Environment Agency lock staff or patrol launches.

(b) The navigation of all boats (except those authorised by the Environment Agency) will be restricted as follows:

(i) All boats must navigate at slow speed and with care and caution between Romney Lock and the A332 Queen Elizabeth road bridge.

(ii) No boats may anchor in any position between Romney Lock and the A332 road bridge. Anchoring outside of this area can only be carried out ensuring that no obstruction is caused to the navigation fairway or access to the banks for other boats.

(iii) During the course of normal navigation all boats should use the main fairway and should not pass on the Windsor side of Firework Ait.

(iv) All boats including manually propelled boats should maintain a proper look out at all times.

(v) Powered boats must not stop or loiter in the navigation channel, or otherwise impede or interfere with the navigation of any other boats between Old Windsor Lock and Boveney Lock.

(vi) Sailing boats can navigate only with oars as in (iii) above or mechanical power as in (iv) above and must not hoist their sail(s).

(vii) No directions contained in this notice shall supersede those parts of Byelaw 24 of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 as may be relevant.

(c) From time to time information regarding navigation between Old Windsor and Boveney Locks may be broadcast on Channel 74 Marine Band VHF.

(d) We would like to remind river users that whilst navigating under bridges boats going upstream must give way to boats coming downstream. The headway at the highest point of Windsor Bridge is 4.01 metres or 13 feet and 2 inches. Headways are measured above standard head water level of the lock below, therefore the measurements given are for guidance only.

(e) For security there will be an increased police presence on the river. Please give way to the police boat if they are responding to an incident.

Mooring

(a) Mooring must only take place with consent from the relevant landowner.

(b) Mooring must be carried out considerately and must not cause a restriction or obstruction to navigation.

Owners and masters of all boats are reminded that it’s an offence for boats to carry more than twelve passengers unless a valid maritime and coastguard agency passenger carrying certificate is shown on board.

It is an offence to fail to conform with the directions in this notice or to obstruct an officer of the Environment Agency in the execution of their duty or to fail to obey directions given regarding the navigation, mooring or unmooring of any boat.

It is an offence to jump into the river or onto any vessel on the river from any place including a bridge or a highway or dive or swim or bathe in the river in such a manner as to cause obstruction, nuisance, annoyance or risk of danger or injury to persons or property. Bathing or swimming is prohibited at any time between Old Windsor Lock and Boveney Lock.

Before heading out on the water it is important to check that it is safe to do so. View the Environment Agency’s current river condition advice.

View Windsor area map pdf