The Great Thames Row: river restriction notice
Published 13 September 2016
© Crown copyright 2016
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When
Saturday 17 to Sunday 19 September 2016.
Where
From Lechlade to Teddington on the River Thames.
Details
Naomi Riches (London 2012 Paralympic Gold Medallist) has taken on the challenge of setting a new Guinness World Record as the fastest woman to row down the Thames in a single scull, 165 miles from Lechlade to Gravesend Royal Pier. In order to do this she must row all 165 miles in under 50 hours.
She is undertaking this mammoth challenge to raise awareness and support for IN-vision a charity which aims to further research into Infantile Nystagmus which affects 1 in 1,000 children. Further information can be found on the website. Under the heading ‘The Challenge, Where is Naomi’ it is possible to view the planned time sheet, listing where Naomi will be and when.
In order to complete the challenge, Naomi must pass through each lock in less than 6 minutes. She will be travelling during lock keeper duty hours on Sunday 18 September from Mapledurham Lock to Boulters Lock. Most other travel on the non-tidal Thames is outside of normal lock keeper duty hours. In order for Naomi to set a new World Record she will require priority through the locks, particularly those from Mapledurham to Boulters on Sunday 18 September, where she is more likely to encounter river traffic. We request that you are understanding and patient if travelling in this area on Sunday 18 September and give Naomi your support in her efforts to raise awareness of this worthy cause by setting a new World Record.
Byelaws
Nothing contained in these directions shall supersede those parts of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 as may be relevant.
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.