Wargrave and Shiplake Regatta and Swim 2023: river restriction notice
Published 17 July 2023
© Crown copyright 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wargrave-and-shiplake-regatta-and-swim-2023-river-restriction-notice/wargrave-and-shiplake-regatta-and-swim-2023-river-restriction-notice
When
Friday 4 August 2023, 8am to 8pm.
Saturday 5 August 2023, 6am to 7pm.
Where
Marsh reach, Wargrave slipway to Shiplake Railway Bridge.
Details
The navigation channel will be on the left, Wargrave side of the river.
Racing boats will be using a buoyed channel between Wargrave slipway and Shiplake Railway Bridge on the right, Shiplake side of the river. There will be a narrow-buoyed channel along the left, Wargrave bank for punting races.
Regatta boards will mark the upstream and downstream extent of the course.
Masters of all boats to maintain a safe speed and lookout between Wargrave slipway and Shiplake Railway 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 river on or near the course during the hours of racing.
The swim will take place before the regatta on Saturday 5 August 2022 from 6am to 8am.
The swimmers will enter the water opposite the Wargrave slipway. They will swim upstream along the right bank; they will turn around a buoy just above the railway bridge and will return downstream along the left bank to the Wargrave slipway. The swimmers will have Hi-Viz caps and be escorted by canoe guards.
All river users are asked to keep a good look out for the swimmers, navigate with particular caution when in their vicinity and give them a wide berth.
All directions as to left and right 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