Visiting Crews

Advice and Information for Visiting Crews

The Tideway is one of, if not the most challenging stretch of water that rowers and coxes are likely to encounter. It has unique hazards and rules of navigation so it is especially important to prepare for an outing here if it is not familiar to you.

There are a number of things that crews visiting Vesta - and the Tideway in general - need to be aware of when they come down to London to train and compete.

This is the basic information of which all visitors, especially coxes and steersmen, to the club HAVE to be aware.

• Most important - if you read nothing else from this page (and that would not make us happy, please read all of it) - read the new PLA Code of Conduct.
• The ARA's note to club captains about ID markings for all boats.
• The ARA's "Tideway Navigation and Steering"
• Tideway Steering Hazards
• From the Thames Regional Rowing Council, Advice to crews training for and racing in the Head of the River
• From the Port of London Authority: Notice for Mariners, U6 of 2002 Rules for Navigation of Vessels under Oars on the Tidal Thames.
  (It might say 2002, but it is still current.)
• Rachel Quarrell's notes from Thames Regional Rowing Council seminar, 9th November 2005.
• Vesta's own Safety and Navigation briefing

• Safety boats should be in close attendance in all races, but capsize and immersion are a clear and present danger on every outing - Cold Water Immersion (on the Leo Blockley web site).
• From the Regional Water Safety Advisor:
  • Head Racing Advice
  • Visiting crews advice, and,
  • Chartlet downloads (Charts with navigation lanes for NTMU6 (the notice to mariners, linked above) areas)