Speeds on the tidal Thames

THERE has been some misunderstanding relating to the speed of craft on the tidal Thames, so the Port of London Authority has clarified the situation.

There are various zones, its spokesman, Martin Garside, informs us, but there is a  'high speed craft zone' that allows passenger vessels that have been issued with a Certificate of Compliance to reach speeds of 25 knots (28.7mph) between Wandsworth Bridge and Lambeth Bridge and 30 (34.5mph) knots from St Saviours Dock (just east of Tower Bridge) to Margaretness, near Barking Creek.

Used by leisure boaters

However, craft not holding the Certificate of Compliance are only allowed to reach speeds of 12 knots (13.8mph) from Wandsworth Bridge to Margaretness. From Teddington to Wandsworth Bridge—which includes the most used section of the river by leisure boaters, from the non-tidal Thames at Teddington to the Grand Union at Brentford the speed is a maximum of 8 knots (9.2mph).

These have been in place since early 2012.

The Port of London Authority have produced various guides concerning boating on the tidal Thames: The Guides