In what responsible boaters have said is a rather draconian move, the Port of London Authority has banned all privately hired cruisers and narrowboats from the tidal reaches of the Thames in London.

While it seems there might be some validation for the move, there are concerns that it will lead to further restrictions which will hit boat owners too.

Cruising the tidal Thames

Being able to cruise past some of the most iconic landmarks in the UK is something that's bound to attract holidaymakers and tourists. It's quite common for boats to go from the Grand Union Canal at Brentford to reach non-tidal parts of the Thames and sometimes on to other canals like the Regent's Canal.

But the lower reaches of the Thames carries a lot of commercial traffic that hire boat users probably would not have encountered before. It is also very broad and affected by tidal currents that no-one who's just hired the odd boat out every now and then would have the experience to deal with.

Increase in incidents

The PLA is citing this as the reasons for the ban - saying it was prompted by an accident where a hire boat was swept against Dove Pier. Canal hire website Canal Junction (link below) said: "the boat was being held broadside across the bows of a large moored houseboat by strong tides and gusty winds sweeping round the bend of the river just above Hammersmith Bridge."

Canal Junction also said there had been many similar incidents in the past few years and that in this case the RNLI lifeboat had to be called to take the four passengers off.

Ulterior motives?

But as one person pointed out on Canal World's forum (link below): "if you follow this argument to its logical conclusion hire boats should be banned from locks in Bath as several have sunk there".

In addition the ban covers the upper stretch between Teddington and Brentford which has significantly less commercial traffic and is not as strongly affected by winds and tides. Boat owners are wondering if this is the thin end of the wedge and that a ban on ALL non-commercial traffic may follow, whether hired or privately owned, may follow.

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) was clearly surprised by the move and has asked the PLA to explain its decision and the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators (APCO) is reported to be in discussions with the PLA, alongside technical officers from the British Marine Federation.

No change?

So at the moment the ban is in place and there is no further information as to whether the situation will change. In the meantime the IWA reiterated its advice for navigating tidal waters.

You should assess:

• Whether your craft is suitable for use on tidal waterways
• Whether you are aware of the sound signals, navigation lights and signs used on the waterway
• Whether you have marine VHF radio (where required) and the appropriate certification to use it
• Whether you are aware of the effect of tides and know the tide table for the waterway
• Whether you have checked any relevant 'Notices to Mariners' for information on current obstructions, works in progress, special restrictions etc
• Whether you know the rules and regulations for navigators of the waterway (you should check the byelaws and any 'General Directions' for the waterway in question)

The IWA also highlighted the considerations specific to the tidal Thames:

• All boats over 13.7m (45'), travelling on the river below Teddington, unless in an organised convoy, are required to carry an operational VHF Radio and to maintain a listening watch when navigating.
• A special exemption is made for narrow boats only for transits between Teddington and Brentford (and vice versa), who may proceed without a VHF radio provided that they inform Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) by phone at the start and completion of their journey.

So what will happen next? News of the decision came out at the beginning of December and since then there's been no further news that we have seen. Neither the PLA nor APCO responded when we asked them for updates.

Does that mean that the ban is simply going to stay in place? Or will it be extended to cover non-hire craft? If anything changes we'll let you know.

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