Rowing: London Tideway River Thames navigation & steering for coxswains

Learning how to become an
independent navigator
and
independent boat master
on the Tideway
So you are safer on the Tideway
So coaches can coach and not “herd cats”
Intelligent
SatNav
Skilled driver –
steers/cox
TSS & AKRC

Self- teaching
• If you are working through this presentation on
your own you may like to see at the same time
• Basic Principles of Tideway Navigation (a single sheet)
http://www.pairshead.co.uk/Tideway%20Code%20-%20pocket%20guide.pdf
• 70 page Rowing on the Tideway by PLA & TRRC 2009 (booklet) or see
http://www.pla.co.uk/pdfs/maritime/THE_ROWING_CODE.pdf
• PLA Upper Thames Navigation Video. Go to
http://www.boatingonthethames.co.uk/
and see “Safely navigating in the upper tidal Thames”
• The presentation is in two parts
– Tideway Navigation (Part 1) – slides 4 - 33
– Mastering the boat in the conditions (Part 2) – slides 34 – 51

The most important rule
• Keep a good look out
• In all collisions and most accidents the
first finding is that those involved didn’t
keep a good enough look out
• Do not assert your “rights”
– Assume ignorance, incompetence, distress or
stupidity
• Your right is to avoid collisions
? Every 5 strokes, or less

Tideway Navigation – (Part 1)
• Definition and geography
• Port and Starboard
• Keeping to starboard side of fairway
• Passing port to port
• Shouting
• Restricted zones, overtaking, rowing abreast
• Using the inshore zone (slacks)
• Crossing at 90o, pointing at 45o
• Lights on bridges and boats
• Dealing with washes
• Priority of vessel types
• Horn blasts
• Summary and documentation

Mastering the boat in the conditions
• Using the stream differential to
– Turn or not
– Turn in and out of fairway
• Passing spits
• Boating at different states of the tide
• The yellow peril, new rules at Putney
• When the differential is not your friend
• Steering 8+ and 4s
• Outing plan
– Boat speeds
– Wind direction and strength
(Part 2)

6
Tideway definition & geography
•Just this stretch of the river
•Need to know the language and geography
•Study the “Basic principles” sheet and 66 page booklet
Lets do the geography test

Barnes bend Chiswick Steps crossing Isleworth Ait Oliver’s Island or Ait
Barnes bridge Corney reach Kew [road or stone] Bridge Pink House [or Lodge]
Black Buoy (Putney moorings) Crabtree reach Kew pier Putney [road] bridge
Boat Race finishing post Dove pier Kew Railway [or Iron] Bridge Putney crossing
Brentford Aits Fulham football ground MAA boathouse Ship crossing
Brentford dock or marina Hammersmith bend Middlesex Surrey
Chiswick bridge Hammersmith bridge Mile Post Syon crossing
Chiswick Eyot Harbourmaster’s [pontoon] Mortlake (OR Stag ) brewery Syon reach
Chiswick pier RNLI station Harrods [wharf] Mortlake reach UL boathouse

Some definitions
• Ebb (falling 7- 8+ hours), Flood (rising 4+ hours)
– Where does the tide first change?
• Fairway – >1m depth at low(est) tide
• Inshore zone or slacks – too shallow for big vessels
• Vessel: carries persons or goods
– Vessels < 20m must not impede large vessels
• What types of vessels are on the tideway?
Class 5, cruiser, rib, barge, tug, RNLI, Fire boat, PLA / Environment
Agency catamaran
Rowing boats, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, dragon boats, gig,
wherry, gondola.
Sailing dinghy, yachts, windsurfs
Coaching / umpires launch, stake boat, start boat, slipper launch
Putney
An 8+ is 17m long

Port and Starboard
Starboard – the right hand
side of the boat and cox
Port – the left hand side
of the boat and cox
Port wine is red!
But the rowers
right hand
But the rowers
left hand
c
o
x
To move to starboard
side of fairway pressure
up with right leg
It’s the boat that has a
starboard and port side
- a bow and stroke side
The oar loom
has a red band
The oar loom has a
green band

Sample test questions from TRRC
54. Which of these is responsible for the boat during
the outing?
a) The coach of a junior crew where the cox is
under 16
b) Stroke
c) The most experienced rower in the crew
d) The cox’n or steersperson
55. As a steersperson are you legally responsible for
the conduct of your craft and crew?
a) Yes
b) Yes, unless they’re older than you
c) Not if you’re instructed by a coach
d) No

Symbols used
Fairway
Foreshore - Surrey
Foreshore - Middlesex
Inshore zone or slacks
Poor position
• The stream
• Any club boat
• Your club boat
• Crossing the fairway
• Boat in poor position
• Boat moving to starboard
• Boat in wrong position
• Boat moving to port
• Motor driven boats
• Parked boat
Your club boats
wrong
wrong

ColRegs (IRPCS)
Fairway
Foreshore - Surrey
Class V
port
starboard
starboard
port
• Class 5 in narrow channel:
2 m/s
1 m/s
1 m/s
• Navigate to prevent collisions
• Starboard rule
– Keep to the starboard side of the fairway and pass port to
port
• Rowers use the slacks when against the tide
you may need to move to port - early
Cannot move to
starboard

5. When travelling downriver against a flood tide on which side of the
red navigation buoys should you pass?
a) Middlesex Bank
b) Surrey Side of the greenbuoys
c) Middlesex side of the red buoys
d) Surrey side of the red buoys
Sample test question from TRRC

Shouting to prevent collisions
• When? From Where? To Who? By Who?
• What to say when
– Risk of collision – “Take a look”
– Collision seems imminent – “Look ahead” “Ahead”
– You should stop now – “Hold it up – lightly”
– Stop or you will collide – “Hold it hard”
• Assume others cannot see you
– Especially scullers & rowers, Class 5 and cruisers
Usually, not always, people will thank you!
Apologise if you were part of the problem e.g.
baulking, crossing late, in the wrong position
Anybody any where

Restricted Zones around bridges
Foreshore
No stopping in the inshore zone or
fairway but can overtake
• Only two crews side by side (rowing in a controlled manner)
• No overtaking of any kind (has caused accidents)
• Inshore zone: no stopping , but can overtake, no rowing abreast
• You can stop to disembark
• No crossing
No overtaking of
any kind
Restricted zone
Only two crews
side by side
No crossing
Can stop to
disembark
B
R
I
D
G
E
No rowing
abreast
Inshore zone
Inshore zone

Special case: Hammersmith at very low tide
Middlesex Foreshore
Return to IZ
• If you cannot use inside arch as no water
• Proceed with caution close to port side of middle arch
• You have passed Starboard to Starboard!
Restricted zone
B
R
I
D
G
E
Ease out early to see
oncoming crews and
be seen. Shout if
needed
Get in line
with the
stream before
bridge
Pass
through
quickly in
the yellow
area
Do not proceed
if congested
B
R
I
D
G
E

Special case: Kew rail bridge at very low tide
Middlesex Foreshore
• Restricted zone full width of river (also at Kew Road bridge) ??
• If cannot use inside arch as no water
• Turn back or proceed with caution
• So if you misjudge you can turn in this restricted zone!
Restricted zone
Oliver’s Ait
B
R
I
D
G
E
Do not proceed
if congested
If insufficient water
inside buoys spin
turn back
Spin turn back
or proceed with
caution
Do not proceed
No overtaking in slacks

Overtaking rules
Foreshore
Foreshore
Overtaking on the
outside normal
No overtaking
two abreast
• In general on the outside i.e. in the faster stream
• Overtaking crew does not have right of way
• Overtaken crew to maintain course and speed and not baulk
No overtaking if
you will move
into oncoming
craft
overtaking on the
outside normal
Unusually overtaking on the
inside as overtaken crew not
close to bank

Rowing Abreast rules
Foreshore
No rowing two
abreast
Maintain starboard station,
can overtake if safe
Other crew
overtaking if safe
• Not in the slacks unless overtaking
• Not if it will obstruct other traffic
• In the fairway
– Maintain a starboard station, can overtake one crew if safe
• Can overtake crews who are rowing abreast if safe

Using the slacks
• Rowers should use them – when going against
the stream
• Keep as close to the bank as practicable
– 1m – if by a wall
– 20m say – if in shallows
• Boats should overtake on the outside!
• So keep close to the bank if slow or stopping
• It means you have to cross the river sometimes
Don’t run aground

Crossing at 900 , pointing at 450
• River flowing at 4 knots = 2 m/s
• To cross at 90 pointing at 45 boat needs to
make 2 m/s against the stream so boat
speed needs to be 2.83 m/s
• This is a good light paddling or novice
crew speed. (racing at 5 m/s = 6:40 2k)
• A boat racing towards you on the stream
is travelling at 5+2 = 7 m/s so if it is 70 m
away it will reach you in 10 sec
• To cross 50 m fairway will take you 25 sec!
How long does it take to cross a 50m wide fairway flowing at 4 knots if you
are crossing at 90o, pointing at 45o and on a light paddle?
Stream 2 m/s
Crews in the fairway should maintain course and speed
?
45o

Crossing Points
1. Putney crossing
2. Chiswick steps crossing
3. Chiswick bridge crossing
4. Syon crossing
• Cross to get to the inside of the next bend
• No stopping in crossings

Other crossing points?
Where clubs on Middlesex have to cross fairway to the slacks
UL boat house
•ULO/Tyrian/Team Keane
•IMM/RUM/SBA/SHG/UNH
•QMC/RHO/UCL
•LYR
TSS/KCB/QBC/MAABC
Latimer/Sons of Thames
AKRC/FSC

24. When crossing the river at a crossing point who has right of
way?
a) The boat crossing
b) Class V Passenger boats
c) The boat travelling in the fairway
d) The larger/faster boat
25. Which of these pieces of guidance is not correct with regards
to crossing the river when travelling against the stream/tide?
a) Keep moving to avoid interrupting your work.
b) Cross as quickly as possible (aiming to cross as close to 90°
as possible)
c) Cross only within designated crossing zones
d) Give way to boats travelling with the tide
You can cross to boat and
return to your club

Lights on bridges and boats
Straw
open Headroom Reducedclosed
360o white light 360o white light Flashing 360o white light
recommended now
If above 7 knots: 360o
white light 1m above
side lights, 30 cm
above drivers head
180o
side
lights

18. Approaching Kew Road bridge, rowing upstream against the tide,
three scullers in front of you stop. Your view beyond the pier and the
bridge is restricted. What should you do?
a) Paddle out slowly and move round the scullers then go through the
Surrey arch
b) Move out and paddle through the centre arch once you can see it is
clear
c) Wait for them to move, or ask them to move.
d) Keep paddling towards them as they are obliged to get out of your
way
19. You are going with the tide. You wish to take your splash-top off
before doing a piece of work. Where would it be safe to do this?
a) Under the centre arch of a bridge
b) It does not matter
c) At a crossing point
d) Close to the starboard edge of the Fairway

Dealing with washes
Fairway
Foreshore - Surrey
2 m/s
1 m/s
1 m/s
• The cruiser going too fast
• The RNLI on a rescue – blues and twos
• The Class V
RLNI
Class V
drawdown (tsunami) before the wash
Especially 1x & 2x Especially 4x and 8+,blades in safe position
Which way should you point?

Priority of Vessel types
• Sailing – paddling - motor at sea
• “a vessel must not cross or enter a fairway so as to obstruct
another vessel proceeding along the fairway”
• When do motor vessels have priority over rowers?
– Emergency services with blues and twos
– A Class V
– A any vessel manoeuvring with difficulty e.g. at low tide
– A coaching launch involved in a rescue
– Ferry crossing the fairway?
– A seaplane?
• She should keep clear of other vessels

Sample test question from TRRC
40. In which four situations does a motor vessel have priority over
a rowing craft?
a) RNLI vessel at all times.
b) Police vessel at all times.
c) Any emergency vessel with blue lights flashing.
d) Class V vessel in a restricted channel.
e) Any emergency vessel at full speed.
f) Fire vessel at all times.
g) A any working vessel manoeuvring with difficulty.
h) A coach launch involved in a rescue.

Horn blasts
• 1 short blast
• 2 short blasts
• 3 short blasts
• 4 + 1 short blasts
• 4 + 2 short blasts
• 5 short blasts
• 1 Long blast
• 2 long +1 short
• 2 long + 2 short
• I am altering course to starboard
• I am altering course to port
• I am operating stern propulsion
• I am doing a 180 to starboard
• I am doing a 180 to port
• I am not clear what you are doing
• I can’t see clearly but I’m proceeding
• I’m overtaking you on your starboard
• I’m overtaking you on your port
One second
4-5 seconds

Basic Navigation rules summary
• Going against the stream (working the slacks)
– Use inshore zone, inside buoys, close to bank
• Going with the stream
– Stay in the fairway, on starboard side
– With oncoming craft pass port to port
– At low water a big vessel may take up the whole channel; then, if safe,
pass starboard to starboard showing intentions early.
• Paddle according to the direction of the stream not the tide
• If in doubt keep to starboard
• Do not stop, turn or overtake within 75m of a bridge (Restricted
Zone)
• Do not stop in a crossing zone
• Always keep a good lookout, assume others cannot see you
Every 5 strokes

33
Tideway Navigation
Documentation and websites to see
Based on the TTRC and PLA guides with local supplements
• Basic Principles of Tideway Navigation
• 66 page Rowing on the Tideway by PLA & TRRC 2009 (booklet)
or see
• PLA Upper Thames Navigation Video
http://www.boatingonthethames.co.uk/
• Furnival SC guide
http://www.furnivall.org/documents/files/Tideway%20Navigation%20(FSC).pdf
• Language and geography of the Tideway
• TTRC Steering Certificate Test Questions
• Supplementary Questions
• Sign up to receive PLA notices at
http://www.pla.co.uk/register/index.cfm/site/email

Using the stream differential to turn
Fairway
Foreshore
Foreshore
Point bows out and stream
differential will turn you further
In the fairway no
turning effect but
you might get hit
If you haven’t turned by
now you probably can’t!
Or did you just mean to
cross the fairway? - badly!
2 m/s
Doing a fast 360?
PLA

Using the stream differential to turn into the
starboard fairway and pass port to port
Fairway
Foreshore
Foreshore
Point bows out and stream differential
will turn you further as you spin turn
into starboard side of fairway
starboard
port
Passing port to port
Use a sweep turn
to get to far side
of fairway
Class 5
starboard
port
Turn below buoy
Turn below buoy

Beware of spits
you may end up in the middle of the river
Fairway
Foreshore
Foreshore
Move out early
But keep out of fairway and keep moving

Ebb tide at AKRC – boating and return
Restricted zone
AKARA FSC
St
Pauls
Sweep
turn to
get across
of fairway
Spin
turn in
slacks
Restricted zones
No turning, no crossing, no overtaking
no stopping in slacks
Use to assess timing your next move
Other crews
Up river out
Up river return
Down river out
Down river return
Sweep turn to get
to starboard side
of fairway
Parked waiting to
cross watching
yellow peril (Dove
Pier buoy)
Dove Pier

Flood tide AKRC – boating against & return
Restricted zone
AKARA FSC
St
Pauls
Spin
turn
round
yellow
peril
Restricted zones
Other crews
Up river out
Up river return
Down river out
Down river return
Dove Pier
Parked waiting to
cross watching yellow
peril & Dove pier
Alternate
safer route for
bigger boats

Flood tide at AKRC – boating with & return
Restricted zone
AKARA FSC
St
Pauls
Restricted zones
Other crews
Up river out
Up river return
Down river out
Down river return
Do not cross until
well downriver of
Dove pier
Parked waiting to spin
into fairway watching
yellow peril & Dove
pier
Dove Pier
Spin turn in
fairway well
down stream of
Yellow peril /
Dove pier
Alternate safer route for bigger boats

Dove pier buoy – Yellow Peril – flood tide
Restricted zone
AKARA FSC
Dove pier is curved!
so pressure up
starboard (bow) side
Dove Pier
Move to port to
get outside
Yellow peril
Do not go inside
yellow peril!
You may have > 10 sec
to get out again
Check your position and pointing,
especially if windy from SW

Putney Crossing - Ebb Tide – High Tide
Restricted zone
Swan
Drawdock
Putney Pier
Fast spin turn for
experienced
smaller boats
Yellow marker on
wall by steps
Safer route for less
experienced longer
boats in strong
stream
Can turn
as not in
restricted
zone
Not allowed
under any
circumstances,
see low tide
routes
Crossing Zone
Right Hand Rule
Right Hand Rule
As close to
bank as
practicable
But right
hand rule
suspended
??

Putney Crossing - Ebb Tide – Low Tide
Swan
Drawdock
Putney Pier
Fast spin turn for
experienced
shorter boats
Yellow
marker
on wall
Safer route for
less experienced
longer boats in
strong stream
Move to slacker water,
spin turn (against the
stream) 135o then cross,
or go below Rail bridge
and cross
Foreshore
Do not cross
until opposite
the gap
Can be very
shallow here
Crossing Zone Restricted zone
Right Hand Rule
Right Hand Rule
As close to
bank as
practicable
New
Crossing
Zone?

Putney Crossing - Flood Tide – High Tide
Swan
Drawdock
Putney Pier
All boats sweep turn
across fairway to
starboard side for a U
turn
Yellow
marker
on wall
Can use either
Middlesex arch or
central arch if
clear??
Proceed on
starboard side as
per Colregs
Right Hand Rule
Right Hand Rule
As close to
bank as
practicable
On starboard side of
fairway or as close
to bank as
practicable?

Putney Crossing - Flood Tide – Low Tide
Swan
Drawdock
Putney Pier
All boats sweep turn
across fairway to
starboard side for a U
turn
Yellow
marker
on wall
Do not use
South Middlesex
or Central arch
as not close to
bank?
Move to slacker
water and proceed
on starboard side
as per Colregs
Foreshore
Stream can be
very fast here so
keep moving
Right Hand Rule
Right Hand Rule
As close to
bank as
practicable
On starboard side of
fairway or as close
to bank as
practicable?

When the stream differential is not
your friend
• Attraction into the slacks as you near them
• Attraction to port side if you drift into the
middle
• Pushed to the outside of the bend
• Solution:
– Keep on dancing
– Adjust little and often
looking round

When the stream differential is not
your friend
Different water speeds on your spoons
can spin you into the slacks
Drift to port and you will
be swept further to port
Shoal stalling
the stream
Keeping to starboard on
a starboard bend helps
Stream may sweep
you to outside of
approaching bend

Steering an 8+ or a 4+x
Rudder pushes stern out,
bow stays put, boat slides
sideways
So you need to
anticipate the turn
or you will go wide
It’s like a rear wheel steered dumper truck

Steering an 8+ or 4+x
A touch of starboard
rudder to keep you in
the slacks
Keeping to starboard on
a starboard bend helps

Your Outing plan and Boat speeds
• Look up the tide times
http://rjen.me.uk/thttp://rjen.me.uk/tides/Tides2012-ChisMall.pdfides/-ChisMall.pdf
http://maabc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/MAA-tide-tables-2012-PDF.pdf
• & weather forecast & do a risk assessment & manage
– Coach & Cox / steers job
• Which way is the stream flowing
– Pooh sticks, pontoon, bridge piers, buoys, stop and
hold, paddling birds face the stream
• Why normally go out against the stream?
– drift back if exhaustion, injury, capsize, equipment
failure (launches!)
• When to go out with the stream?
– Tide about to change or will change during the
outing.

Your 90 min Outing plan and Boat speeds
• How long does it take, going out coming back, if
average boat speed 4 m/s, stream 2m/s, slacks
1m/s? 4m/s is elite sculler
Ability Speed (m/s) Time
(min)
Distance (km) Destination
AKRC / TSS
Elite 4-1= 3 out
4+2=6 back
60
30
10.8
10.8
Pink Lodge
Black buoy
JM/JW / IMn /old
Vet
3-1=2 out
3+2=5 back
65
26
7.8
7.8
Brentford dock
Pink lodge
Beginners 2-1=1 out
2+2=4 back
72
18
4.3
4.3
Chiswick bridge
UL twice
Faster boat classes may go further but single scullers
rarely stop. Coaches usually reduce the distances

52
Outing plan and wind direction
Predict whether water conditions will get worse,
where and when
•Wind against tide makes waves bigger, especially
around high water
•Strong winds from SW, SE, NW, NE
Show rough areasRough on flood
Rough on ebb

The End
The End
• Unless you want to get certified!

54
Certification programme
• Study steering/coxing
• 29 page Level 1 Certificate in Coxing / Steering Workbook
• 6 page Assessment Guide
• Coxing the Tideway Headhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSl8XiXfpng
• On-line coxing / steering course at RowHow
http://www.rowhow.org/mdl/course/view.php?id=27
• Study Navigation
• 66 page Rowing on the Tideway by PLA & TRRC 2009 (booklet)
• PLA Upper Thames Navigation Video http://www.boatingonthethames.co.uk/
• Practise steering/coxing with mentor
• record in Log book as evidence
• Sit the Navigation test
• Tideway navigator (Basic, independent or exceptional)
• Steering assessment by L2 coach - Independent
steers/cox/navigator
When ready
When ready

Ebb tide at TSS – boating and return
Restricted zone
TSS MAABCQBC
PT
RC
Finish
Post
Quintin
flagpole
Sweep
turn to
get out of
fairway
Spin
turn in
slacks
Restricted zones
Other crews
Up river out
Up river return
Down river out
Down river return
Sweep turn to get
to starboard side
of fairway
Parked waiting
to cross

Flood tide at TSS – boating and return
Restricted zone
TSS MAABCQBC
PT
RC
Finish
Post
Quintin
flagpole
Sweep turn
to get out of
fairway
Spin turn in slacks
Restricted zones
No turning, no crossing, no overtaking,
Spin turn into
starboard side
of fairway Other crews
Down river out
Down river return
Up river out
Up river return
Don’t start
your turn
from here
Parked
waiting for
group to
form

Appendix – pictures of navigation –
courtesy of Dr N. Jackson
• Chiswick crossing in a head race
• Putney Pier turn
• Other pictures to be added?
– Yellow peril from Hammersmith Bridge
– Up stream and down stream markers for all restricted zones and lights
on bridges taken from launch
– Syon crossing taken from Kew gardens
– Wind against stream pictures
– Boats out of position due to stream
– Dealing with washes
– Class V in narrow channel

Waiting in Surrey IZ by the RED buoy

Crossing: general view of the Surrey queue
and a boat crossing

Two eights crossing at Chiswick Steps
one at 45o and TSS at 30o (because they are so fast!)
note crossing marshal launch in background controlling

Carrying on up the Middlesex IZ past
GREEN buoy

Putney Pier, Ebb tide
turning the gap to Putney Embankment

Rowing: London Tideway River Thames navigation & steering for coxswains

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