Some things to be aware of when making a trip from London to Chatham
2 Monitor VHF traffic on channel 14 so you know what is going on and get a feel for the protocol for communication with the Thames Barrier - normally it's "Charlie span out" but sometimes it's a different span so it helps to be forewarned. And sometimes the barrier is closed altogether for maintenance and testing (check PLA website before departure) or even for flood defense.
3 Don't forget that it's been "London VTS" for the Thames Barrier since 2005, not "Woolwich Radio" anymore. You may well hear skippers using the old and wrong call sign. If you get it wrong you may well be in for a public reprimand! And don't call in too soon or you will be asked to call again when you are nearer.
4 Remember this is quite a long passage, it takes nearly eight hours in Starry Night from Limehouse Marina to Chatham Marina - if you are in a hurry it's only 55 minutes by train from Victoria!
5 Watch out at Woolwich for the two ferries which shuttle backwards and forwards, doing a little dance right in your path. If you observe them from a distance with binoculars you may be able to adjust your timing to pass them when they are docked - though more likely not!
6 You do need to keep a good look-out behind. There are some big ships using the Thames, like the Cobelfret vehicle transporters operating out of Purfleet. They can be on you surprisingly quickly; on an otherwise calm sea, the wake from these large ships can play havoc with tea making down below, as well as activities in the heads!
7 When you get to the point where you turn South and head for Sheerness, don't be tempted to take what looks like an inviting short cut between the Thames and the Medway. What you are looking at is wet shiny sand, not water! Be sure to go round the lateral marks put there by management for the purpose.
8 No smoking as you pass by the wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery. The wreck lies close to the Medway approach channel and her masts are clearly visible above the water at all states of the tide. There are still around 1,400 tons of explosives in the holds. Enough to flatten Sheerness and blow out all the windows in Southend.
9 You could be excused for thinking that once inside Sheerness, you will be in calm waters, but alas this is not so. It can be smooth all the way down the Thames to the Nore and then quite nasty in the Medway. It all depends on the wind direction. Best to stow everything sensibly before setting off and check the weather forecast.
10 At the weekend, once you get near to Hoo Island it can be very busy with masses of sailing boats darting this way and that, many of them in competition. I know its at the end of a long day but please try not to run them down!
Copyright © 2009 Mike Hawkridge