Thames narrowboat sinking

THE narrowboat that sank in the tidal Thames as reported in narrowboatworld was just taken possession of by its new owner, who was moving it to a new berth, and sank as its engine room vent was too low, allowing water to flood in.

It was on the 24th August 2012 that the narrowboat was delivered by road to South Dock Marina in London for a new owner, it being lifted into the dock and the new owner requested to lock out of the marina as he had an overnight berth in Limehouse Marina; a short distance up the Thames, the official report, obtained by Alan Tilbury, states.

Lifejackets missing

The vessel departed the lock at 5pm with five adults and one dog aboard. As they departed the lock the lock keeper commented that they should have lifejackets on board as they appeared to be missing.

The crew decided to continue on and left the lock with three adults on the stern and two adults inside. The narrowboat went directly across the river to the starboard side of the channel and then turned upriver towards Limehouse Marina.

Half submerged

Shortly into their passage the crew noted a change in the engine note and opened the engine room hatch to find the engine half submerged. All aboard quickly moved to the stern to try and bail out the engine room, but were unable to cope with the ingress of water into the vessel.

The engine room continued to fill with water and then flooded into the main cabin, submerging the rear of the boat below the water, resulting in severe flooding of the vessel which sank within 10 seconds.

All in water

All of the crew and the dog were then in the water without lifejackets, but were rescued by a nearby Rigid Inflatable Boat and a police launch.

The hull of the vessel had been completely double plated, with the increased weight of this plating resulting in a reduced safety clearance; with the bottom of the engine room vent being positioned approximately two and half inches above the waterline.

With three people positioned on the stern, the bottom of the engine room air vent became submerged beneath the waterline allowing water to flood in, and sinking of the vessel was inevitable.

Safety lessons

The following safety lessons should be carefully considered by narrowboat owners before venturing onto the tidal Thames:

1. The tidal Thames is considered to be a Category C waterway, where wave heights of up to 1.2m may be encountered and vessels should be suitably prepared to meet these conditions.

2. Through hull fittings, vents and exhaust outlets should be positioned as high up as practicable on narrowboats to meet the conditions likely to be encountered. Where through hull fittings, vents and exhaust outlets cannot be moved to a safe location consideration should be given as to whether the vessel is suitable to navigate on the tidal Thames.

3. Where modifications have been made to a vessel, such as the extensive use of double plating, it is important to check that sufficient safety clearance remains for the vessel to safely navigate in the intended waterway.

4. Lifejackets and other safety equipment should always be provided on board vessels navigating on the tidal Thames and it is strongly recommended that lifejackets are worn at all times when on deck.

5. When purchasing a vessel it is essential to have a pre-purchase survey undertaken by a competent surveyor ensuring the surveyor is aware of your intended use of the vessel.