Tideway navigation and steering

  
   

Updated May 2007

The information shown here is also available here as a Word document. Word file - safety

All new members, coxes, bow-steerers, single scullers and launch drivers must take a look at the Tideway code of practice for rowing (PDF- 2.65mb). This has replaced the ARA's Tideway navigation and steering document.  Released in October 2006 this is the 'Highway code for Rowers' you must be aware of the rules and abide by them at all times. Not abiding, means that the club may accrue penalty points which can have financial implications or in serious cases suspension of racing permission.

For further information on the role of the TRRC in our safety, including descriptions of how to report incidents and the link to the online reporting system visit the TRRC safety pages.

PLA navigation rules

Right hand rule
The whole stretch of the tidal Thames follows starboard or right hand rule. Other than rowing boats, all craft go up the Middlesex side of the river and down the Surrey side. As the river is shallow at the edges larger craft have to keep to the central part of the river, or the fairway.

In shore zone (or special rowing lane)
Between Putney and Kew the river meanders around 3 long bends, around Barnes, Chiswick and Kew. So that rowers do not have to take the outside of these long bends against the strong tidal stream, there has been a special concession made. An inshore zone or special rowing lane along the short side of each of the bends, allows rowers and their coaching launches to take the short route. As the point of this lane was to allow craft going against the tidal flow, the direction of traffic reverses according to what the tide is doing. So tide going out, the traffic is going from Putney towards Kew. Tide rising, traffic in this area is heading away from Kew towards Putney.

These two diagrams illustrate that point – the first one is where the in shore zone is on the Surrey side of the river (this is the case most of the time) see below for the location of the crossing points. The second diagram shows the inshore zone on the Middlesex side of the river. Please click 'thumbnail' images to see a larger version of the traffic patterns.

Diagram showing traffic patterns on the river including position of rowing boats and other river traffic. For the area between Chiswick Steps and Chiswick Bridge crossing points, where the inshore zone is on the Middlesex shore.Diagram showing traffic patterns on the river including position of rowing boats and other river traffic. For the areas below Chiswick Steps and above the Chiswick Bridge crossing points, where the inshore zone is on the Surrey shore.

The larger darker arrows indicate normal (non-rowing) traffic. The lighter arrows show rowing traffic. Notice how the rowing traffic sticks closer to the edge of the river. Also notice how the crews going against the tide are segregated from the other traffic.

NTM U15 2006
The rule that describes this inshore zone (rowing rules) are described in a Notice to Mariners numbered U15 and dated 11 Sept 2006. The date is the date it was issued. It still applies today. You can read the full PLA notice from their website.

A summary of the rules and the crossing points is below.

(a)

when proceeding with the tide, keep to the starboard side of the fairway; this is the cox's right or the steerer's left of the centre of the river.  

(b)

when proceeding against the tide, navigate as follows:

(i)

between the Syon Crossing and the Chiswick Bridge Crossing, keep as close as is practicable to the Surrey shore;

(ii)

between the Chiswick Bridge Crossing and the Chiswick Steps Crossing, keep as close as is practicable to the Middlesex shore;

(iii)

between the Chiswick Steps Crossing and the Putney Crossing, keep as close as is practicable to the Surrey shore.


Note: Above the Syon Crossing and below the Putney Crossing rowers proceeding against the tide are reminded that they are to keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on their starboard side as is safe and practicable. That is bowside blades towards & close to the bank at all times.
 

(c) The Crossing points are established in the following locations:
(i) Syon Crossing – Syon Reach, opposite the Isleworth Ferry Gate (approximately 200 metres upstream of the PLA driftwood moorings). This is marked by the numbers 13-15 of the UH bumping stations.
(ii) Chiswick Bridge Crossing – opposite the "Ship" public house (approximately 200 metres downstream of Chiswick Bridge).
(iii) Chiswick Steps Crossing – 200 metres upstream of Chiswick Pier.
(iv) Putney Crossing – by Bishop's Park steps approximately 100 metres upstream of Putney Road Bridge.
   
In addition crews are reminded that the crew crossing must give way to other craft, and cross the river quickly and as close to 90 degrees as possible.

Restricted Zones - Crossing zones and bridges

View PDF file PLA crossing points ma (PDF 72KB)   View PDF file PLA Rowing Chart 2006 (PDF 1.9MB)
You must never stop close to a crossing point or bridge unless it is to confirm whether it is safe to proceed. Stopping for a crew chat or to take a drink / top off, is not alllowed in these areas.

You should always be extra aware in these areas, watch out for crews that do not know the rules. A crash with someone you didn't see because they shouldn't have been there, will still hurt you and your boat. Please click 'thumbnail' image to see a larger version of the bridge diagram.

Diagram of bridge showing orange centre lights, plus direction arrows - going down on the left and up on the right.

Always pass port to port (strokeside to strokeside). You should always have starboard (bow) side near to the buttress. Look for the orange light in the middle of the archway. Stick to cox's right, steers person's left. Only use the centre line � fastest stream � for OFFICIAL (closed river) races, not in training.

Launching a boat from MAA (and returning)

The steerer must know which way to boat from the beach (and which way to return). Doing this wrong causes confusion and congestion on the beach and makes the act of pushing off or returning more difficult because the stream is trying to push you back onto the beach or keep you off it.

Always boat with the bows into the stream – tide rising, this is bows to Chiswick bridge, tide falling, bows upstream towards Kew. In addition to the standard crossing points mentioned in the NTMU15 of 2006 (see above) MAA has local crossing points to allow us to reach our own boathouse. These are in front of the club either leaving or returning; below Chiswick Bridge and before the main cross over point at the Ship; at the white crane on the Middlesex bank.

Tide falling
– leave the club by crossing immediately to the Surrey inshore zone to go upstream, or spinning directly to the Surrey side of the fairway to go downstream
– Return from upstream on the Surrey side of the fairway, spin either in front of the club (giving way to traffic coming through Chiswick bridge) or continue through the bridge to spin towards TSS.

Tide rising
– leave the club by following the Middlesex bank under Chiswick bridge to join the inshore zone which will be on the Middlesex bank below the Ship crossing point or spin straight away and follow the starboard side (coxes right, steerers left) of the fairway.
– Return from upstream by crossing at the crane and following the Middlesex bank to the club, or from downstream come through Chiswick bridge and spin after the club.

Spinning should never be done so that you end up facing the wrong way for the area of the river you are in. Always steer into the bank or across the river, then spin on the spot there.

There are boating and returning maps for the club beach available in the club and also here:

MAA Circulation pattern Tide outgoing
Diagrammatic map showing traffic patterns for leaving and returning to MAA boathouse on various states of the falling (ebb) tide 		MAA Circulation pattern Tide incoming
Diagrammatic map showing traffic patterns for leaving and returning to MAA boathouse on various states of the rising (flood) tide.
 
     
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