Notice

Thames Traditional Boat Festival 2023: river restriction notice

Published 19 June 2023

This notice was withdrawn on

River restriction no longer in force.

When

Midday on Monday 10 July 2023 to Midday on Tuesday 18 July 2023.

Where

Hambleden reach, 500 metres upstream of Temple Island to 250 metres downstream of Henley Bridge.

Details

The navigation channel for both upstream and downstream traffic will be on the Remenham, left side of the river, along the Henley Royal Regatta course. Masters of vessels are reminded of the need to navigate on the right of this channel.

The main navigation channel will be partially obstructed by multiple pontoons protruding from the bank, and for safety reasons will therefore be closed to all other traffic throughout the above period. This closure applies equally and particularly to those in rowing craft.

All directions as to left bank and right banks are given looking upstream.

Warning boards will mark the upstream and downstream extent of the course.

Masters of all boats to maintain a safe speed and lookout between 500 metres upstream of Temple Island and 250 metres downstream from Henley Bridge.

All boats must be navigated in accordance with any instructions given from Environment Agency control points or patrol launches.

Those in charge of boats should 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.

Bathing is not allowed in the above described stretch of the river during the festival.

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