Thames Traditional Boat Festival 2024: river restriction notice
Published 6 June 2024
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thames-traditional-boat-festival-2024-river-restriction-notice/thames-traditional-boat-festival-2024-river-restriction-notice
When
12pm on Monday 15 July to 12pm on Tuesday 23 July 2024.
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. Boaters are reminded of the need to navigate on the right of this channel.
The 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.
Boaters to maintain a safe speed and lookout between 500 metres upstream of Temple Island and 250 metres downstream from Henley Bridge.
All boats should 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.