Important Byelaws

Question 1

What is Thames Byelaw 57?

Answer 1

Wash and draw off

Question 2

What is byelaw 24

Answer 2

Modifications to the international collision regulations

MODIFICATIONS TO THE INTERNATIONAL COLLISION REGULATIONS

Notwithstanding Part C of the International Collision Regulations and Annex I: a) a vessel must not cross or enter a fairway so as to obstruct another vessel proceeding along the fairway; b) when a power-driven vessel operating as a ferry is crossing the fairway, it must keep out of the way of a vessel proceeding along the fairway; c) a power-driven vessel must not proceed abreast of another power-driven vessel except for the purposes of overtaking that other vessel; and d) a vessel in a fairway above Tilburyness must not overtake a vessel which is itself overtaking another vessel e) all vessels must, in determining a safe speed, have regard to: i) the safety of other river users, passengers and crew, ii) tidal flow, and iii) the navigational environment including port infrastructure.

Question 3

What is buelaw 25

Answer 3

Vessels Navigating against the tide and turning about
A power-driven vessel or a vessel under oars navigating against the tide must, when approaching or passing under a bridge, or when approaching or rounding a bend in the Thames, navigate with caution and prepare to stop to avoid risk of collision with another vessel that is navigating with the tide. 25.2 A power-driven vessel or a vessel under oars intending to turn about must, before commencing to do so, ensure that the fairway is sufficiently clear for the manoeuvre so as not to endanger or not to impede any other vessel.

Question 4

What is byelaw 34

Answer 4

Ferries

Subject to byelaw 34.2, a power-driven vessel operating as a ferry below Tower Bridge must by night, except when berthed, exhibit two all-round lights amidships in a vertical line one above the other and not less than 2 metres nor more than 3 metres apart, the upper light must be blue and the lower light must be white and both lights must be visible at 1 mile.

34.2 If a vessel operating as a ferry below Tower Bridge cannot, by reason of its construction, exhibit the lights required by byelaw 34.1, then it may exhibit instead a blue light not less than 2 metres nor more than 3 metres vertically above the white light required by Rule 23(a)(i) of the International Collision Regulations, and a second blue light not less than 2 metres nor more than 3 metres vertically above the white light required by Rule 23(a) (iv) of those Regulations; and the blue lights must be of the same construction as the white lights required by those Regulations and must be visible at 1 mile.

Question 5

Byelaw 41 , 42 & 42

Answer 5

41 . WARNING SIGNAL IN CLEAR VISIBILITY

A power-driven vessel which is underway (whether by day or night) but is not under command must indicate this to an approaching vessel by sounding one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts.

42. VESSELS TURNING ABOUT

A power-driven vessel intending to turn about in a fairway must sound four, rapid short blasts and after a short interval must, if turning to starboard, sound one further short blast or, if turning to port, sound two further short blasts. During the turn the signal must be repeated from time to time to warn any approaching vessel.

43. VESSELS ENTERING THE FAIRWAY

A power-driven vessel about to enter a fairway from a creek, dock, basin, lock, wharf, jetty, tier or anchorage must sound one prolonged blast.

Note: The sound signals in byelaw 39 are inconsistent with the provisions of the International Collision Regulations but apply as special rules by virtue of rule 1(b) as applied by the Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulation 1996.