The Thames navigation licensing and general byelaws 1993

Updated 25 August 2023

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For the regulation management and improvement of the River Thames and of the navigation thereof, for the regulation and licensing of vessels thereon and for other purposes.

These byelaws are made under Section 233 of the Thames Conservancy Act 1932 and may be cited as ‘The Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993’ and shall come into operation on the first day of November 1994.

The Thames Launch Byelaws 1952 and The Thames Navigation and General Byelaws 1957 are hereby repealed.

These byelaws shall be applicable to:

(a) so much of the Rivers Thames and Isis as is between the east side of the Town Bridge at Cricklade in the County of Wilts (Grid Reference SU 1014 9497) and an imaginary straight line drawn from the high-water mark on the bank of the River Thames at the boundary line between the Parishes of Teddington and Twickenham in the County of Middlesex as existing immediately before the first day of April 1937 when the County of Middlesex (Twickenham) Review Order 1937 came into operation to high-water mark on the Surrey bank of the river immediately opposite the last hereinbefore mentioned point (Grid Reference TQ 1632 7186); and

(b) so much of the River Kennet as is between the River Thames and an imaginary straight line drawn from a point on the north bank of the River Kennet seventy yards eastward of the east side of the High Bridge at Reading in the County of Berks (Grid Reference SU 7176 7330) to a point on the south bank of the River Kennet, immediately opposite the last hereinbefore mentioned point (Grid Reference SU 7308 7387);

and all locks, cuts and works within the said portions of rivers provided that no dock, lock, canal or cut existing at the 17th day of August 1894 and constructed under the authority of Parliament and belonging to any body corporate established under such authority and no bridge over the Thames or the River Kennet belonging to or vested in any highway authority or local authority any railway undertaker or any company body or person other than the authority shall be deemed to form part of the Thames.

In these byelaws the following words and expressions have the meanings hereby assigned to them respectively unless there be something in the subject or context repugnant to such construction, namely:

‘class of vessel: for the purposes of licensing only vessels are divided into four classes as defined below:

Note that all measurements given in brackets are given as an approximate conversion guide only.

a) The master of every launch registered under the acts must ensure that the lights prescribed by Section 92 of the Thames Conservancy Act 1932 as amended are carried and exhibited.

b) The master must ensure that the byelaws in this part are complied with in all weathers.

c) The byelaws concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise, and during such time no other lights shall be exhibited, except such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these byelaws or as do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a proper lookout.

d) The lights prescribed by these byelaws shall also be exhibited from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility and may be exhibited in all other circumstances when it is deemed necessary.

e) The byelaws concerning shapes shall be complied with by day.

f) The lights and shapes specified in these byelaws shall comply with the provisions of Appendix B to these byelaws.

The master of every vessel other than launches registered under the acts must ensure that all lights prescribed in these byelaws must have an intensity sufficient to be visible at the following minimum ranges:

a) For vessels of 50 metres (164 feet) or more in length:

b) For vessels of 12 metres (40 feet) or more in length but less than 50 metres (164 feet) in length:

c) For vessels less than 12 metres (40 feet) in length:

d) For an inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object:

The master of a power-driven vessel underway shall cause to be exhibited:

a) The master of a sailing vessel underway shall cause to be exhibited:

b) The master of a sailing vessel underway may, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of the byelaw, cause to be exhibited at or near the top of the mast, where they can best be seen, two all round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower green.

c) The master of a manually propelled vessel underway shall cause to be exhibited the lights in (a) or shall cause to be exhibited an all-round white light or two white lights giving the same coverage.

a) The master of a power-driven vessel other than a launch registered under the acts when towing shall cause to be exhibited:

b) The master of a power-driven vessel other than a launch registered under the acts when the vessel is pushing ahead or towing alongside, except in the case of a rigidly connected composite unit, shall be caused to be exhibited:

c) When a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit they shall be regarded as a power-driven vessel and exhibit the lights prescribed in byelaw 7.

d) The master of a power-driven vessel when towing by night shall cause to be exhibited on the vessel being towed:

Provided that any number of vessels being towed alongside the towing vessel or being pushed in a linked group by the towing vessel shall be lighted as one vessel.

a) The master of a vessel not under command of 20 metres (66 feet) or more in length shall and the master of a vessel not under command of less than 20 metres (66 feet) in length may cause to be exhibited:

b) The master of a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre of 20 metres (66 feet) or more in length shall and the master of a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre of less than 20 metres (66 feet) in length may cause to be exhibited:

c) The master of a vessel engaged in a towing operation such as renders it unable to deviate from its course shall, in addition to the lights or shapes prescribed in sub-paragraph (b) (i) and (ii) of this byelaw cause to be exhibited the lights or shapes prescribed in byelaw 9.

d) The master of a vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when restricted in its ability to manoeuvre, shall cause to be exhibited the lights and shapes prescribed in paragraph (b) of this byelaw shall in addition, when an obstruction exists, cause to be exhibited:

e) The master of a vessel engaged in diving operations shall cause to be exhibited a rigid replica of the International Code flag ‘A’ of a size and in such a position as to be clearly visible to other vessels in the vicinity. Measures shall be taken by the master to ensure all-round visibility.

f) The signals prescribed in this byelaw are not signals of vessels in distress and requiring assistance.

The master of a vessel constrained by her draught may, in addition to the lights prescribed for power-driven vessels in byelaw 7 cause to be exhibited where they can best be seen three all-round red lights in a vertical line or a cylinder.

a) The master of a vessel at anchor shall cause to be exhibited where they can best be seen:

b) For a vessel of less than 50 metres (164 feet) in length an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights and shapes prescribed in paragraph (a) above.

c) For a vessel of 100 metres (328 feet) and more in length, the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate the vessels decks.

The master of a vessel aground of 50 metres (164 feet) or more in length shall and the master of a vessel aground of less than 50 metres in length may cause to be exhibited the lights prescribed in byelaw 12 (a) and (b) and in addition, where they can best be seen:

No vessel other than vessels being used by the authority, and by the police, fire and ambulance services and being previously approved for the purpose by the authority may exhibit a blue flashing light by day or by night.

No vessel other than vessels described in byelaw 14 may exhibit a flashing light or any kind by day or by night unless the prior written consent of the authority has been obtained.

The master of a vessel plying as a ferry when crossing directly from one side of the Thames to the other side, shall cause to be displayed on either side of the vessel the word ‘ferry’ in large clear letters and may cause to be exhibited by day at a height above the hull, so as to be seen all round, two shapes in a vertical line, one over the other not less than 1 metre (3.3 feet) apart, of which the upper shall be spherical in shape and the lower cylindrical in shape, and shall by night except when berthed cause to be exhibited in addition to any other lights otherwise prescribed in the same position two lights in a vertical line one over the other, not less than 1 metre (3.3 feet) apart, the upper light shall be blue and the lower light shall be white; these lights to be of such a character as to be visible all round at a distance of at least 1 nautical mile (2,2025 yards or 1, 852 metres).

a) All sound signals prescribed by these byelaws shall be given on the whistle. The whistle shall not be used on any occasion or for any purpose except those therein mentioned and no other signal by whistle shall be given or used other than by vessels being used by the authority and by the police, fire and ambulance services and being previously approved for the purpose by the authority.

b) Every power-driven vessel shall be provided with a whistle so placed that the sounds may not be intercepted by any obstruction on the vessel.

c) The master of every power-driven vessel shall comply with the provisions of these byelaws as to sound signals.

a) When vessels are in sight of one another the master of a power-driven vessel underway when manoeuvring as authorised or required by these byelaws, shall indicate that manoeuvre by the following signals on his whistle namely:

b) The master of a vessel may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in paragraph (a) of this byelaw by light signals, repeated as appropriate, while the manoeuvre is being carried out:

c) When vessels in sight of one another are approaching each other and from any cause, the master of either vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of the other, or is in doubt whether sufficient action is being taken by the other to avoid collision, the master of the vessel in doubt shall immediately indicate such doubt by giving at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle. Such signal may be supplemented by a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes.

d) The master of the vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction may sound one prolonged blast. Such signal shall be answered with a prolonged blast by the master of any approaching vessel that may be within hearing around the bend or behind the intervening obstruction.

The master of every power-driven vessel (including a tug with a tow) when underway and about to turn round shall signify the same by four short blasts on the whistle in rapid succession followed after a short interval if turning with her head to starboard (or right) by one short blast, and if with her head to port (or left) by two short blasts; and whilst turning shall repeat such signal to any approaching vessel which latter vessel shall take action to avoid a collision.

The master of every power-driven vessel (including a tug with a tow) when underway whether by day or by night and for any reason not under command or unable to manoeuvre as required by these byelaws shall signify the same to any approaching vessel by one prolonged followed by two short blasts on the whistle in rapid succession and thereupon such approaching vessel shall take action to avoid collision.

The master of every power-driven vessel (including a tug with a tow) when underway and taking the ground in the fairway or mid-channel shall so long as the vessel remains aground signify the same to any approaching vessel by five or more short blasts on the whistle in rapid succession and shall continue to give such signals unless he has caused to be exhibited the lights or shapes prescribed by byelaw 13 hereof.

In or near an area of restricted visibility, whether by day or night, the signals prescribed in this byelaw shall be used as follows:

a) The master of a power-driven vessel making way through the water shall cause to be sounded at intervals of not more than two minutes one prolonged blast.

b) The master of a power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water shall cause to be sounded at intervals of not more than two minutes two prolonged blasts in succession with an interval of about two seconds between them.

c) The master of a vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, a vessel constrained by her draught, a sailing vessel or a vessel engaged in towing or pushing another vessel shall instead of the signals prescribed in paragraph (a) or (b) of this byelaw, cause to be sounded at intervals of not more than two minutes three blasts in succession, namely one prolonged followed by two short blasts.

d) The master of a vessel towed or if more than one vessel is towed the last vessel of the tow shall at intervals of not more than two minutes cause to be sounded four blasts in succession, namely one prolonged followed by three short blasts. When practicable, this signal shall be immediately after the signal made by the towing vessel.

e) When pushing a vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit they shall be regarded as a power-driven vessel and the master of the pushing vessel shall cause to be sounded the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this byelaw.

f) The master of a vessel at anchor or aground shall, at intervals of not more than one minute, cause to be sounded three blasts in succession, namely one short, one prolonged and one short blast or ring a bell rapidly for five seconds to give warning.

If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel the master of any vessel may make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for any signal authorised elsewhere in these byelaws, or may direct the beam of his vessel’s searchlight in the direction of the danger, in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel.

a) Nothing in byelaws 27 to 42 shall exonerate the master of any vessel from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these byelaws or from the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen or by the special circumstances of the case.

b) In construing and complying with byelaws 27 to 42 the master of every vessel shall have due regard to all dangers of navigation or collision or to any special circumstances including the limitations of the vessels involved which may make a departure from these byelaws necessary to avoid any immediate danger to persons or property.

c) In the event of a prosecution for any breach of a byelaw in this part of the byelaws it shall be for the defendant to prove the existence of any such dangers of navigation or collision or special circumstances necessitating a departure from the byelaws to avoid any immediate danger to persons or to property.

The master of every vessel shall keep or cause to be kept a proper look-out by sight and hearing and shall observe any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen or watermen or by the special circumstances of the case particularly in times of high flow or by other dangerous conditions of navigation.

The master of every vessel shall navigate such vessel at all times at a safe speed and with due care and caution to prevent avoidable damage or unreasonable disturbance to persons, other vessels or moorings or the river banks and in such manner as to show reasonable consideration for all persons and property in upon or about the Thames or the banks or towpaths thereof or any land of the authority.

The master shall not navigate a power-driven vessel at a speed over the bed of the river greater than 8 kilometres per hour.

The maximum speed prescribed in byelaw 27 shall not apply to:

(a) power-driven vessels directly engaged in the training coaching or umpiring of vessels powered by oar or by sail where such sustainable power-driven vessels have been approved by the authority and are displaying a pennant or mark of a type issued by the authority , the issue of which may be subject to such conditions as the authority may from time to time prescribe;

(b) vessels in use by the Navigation Authority or by the police, fire and ambulance services when necessary for the execution of their duties.

The master of every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt such risk shall be deemed to exist.

a) The master of every vessel shall ensure that any action taken to avoid collision, shall if the circumstances of the case admit, be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship.

b) The master of every vessel shall ensure that any action taken to alter course and/or speed to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be large enough for changes in the vessel’s course to be readily apparent to the master of another vessel. The master shall ensure that a succession of small alterations of course and/or speed is avoided.

c) The master of every vessel shall ensure that action taken to avoid collision with another vessel shall be such as to result in the vessel passing at a safe distance. The effectiveness of the action shall be carefully checked by the master until the other vessel is finally past and clear.

d) The master of every vessel shall if necessary to avoid collision or to allow more time to assess the situation, slacken the speed of the vessel or take all way off by stopping or reversing her by means of propulsion.

a) The master of every power-driven vessel proceeding up or down the river shall when it is safe and practicable keep the vessel in the fairway or mid-channel and shall keep to that side of the fairway or mid-channel which lies on the vessel’s starboard or right hand side.

b) The master of a vessel nearing a bend or an area of narrow channel, fairway, bridge or place where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall navigate with particular alertness and caution and may sound the appropriate signal prescribed in byelaw 18.

a) If the river has a current or a tidal flow, the master of every power-driven vessel navigating against the current or tidal flow shall, if necessary in order to avoid risk of collision, ease the speed of the vessel or stop the vessel on approaching or when rounding a point or sharp bend so as to allow any vessel navigating with the current or tidal flow to pass clear of his vessel.

b) The master of every power-driven vessel navigating against the current or tidal flow on approaching or passing under a bridge, shall ease the speed of, or stop the vessel, in order to avoid risk of collision with another vessel navigating with the current or tidal flow approaching or passing under or through the same bridge.

c) The master of every power-driven vessel navigating under or through a bridge shall ensure that the vessel shall approach and pass under or through the bridge at the slowest practicable speed.

When two sailing vessels are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other as follows:

a) When each has the wind on a different side, the master of the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep his vessel out of the way of the other;

b) When both have the wind on the same side, the master of the vessel which is to windward shall keep his vessel out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward;

c) If the master of a vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether the other vessel has wind on the port or on the starboard side, he shall keep his vessel out of the way of the other.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in these byelaws the master of every vessel crossing from one side of the river to the other side or entering the fairway from any side channel cut or other waterway shall do so at a proper time having regard to other vessels navigating up and down the river, and shall give way to such vessels.

a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in these byelaws the master of a vessel overtaking any other shall keep his vessel out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.

b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, that is, in such a position with reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at night the master would be able to see only the sternlight of the vessel but neither of her sidelights.

c) When a master is in any doubt as to whether his vessel is overtaking another, he shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly.

d) Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these byelaws or relieve the master of the overtaking vessel of his duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally passed and clear.

a) When two vessels, whether power-driven or manually propelled, are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision the master of each vessel shall alter course of his vessel to starboard so that each vessel shall pass on the port side of the other.

b) Such a situation as described in byelaw 36 (a) above shall be deemed to exist when the master of a vessel sees the other vessel ahead or nearly ahead and by night he could see the masthead lights of the other vessel in a line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights and by day the master observes the corresponding aspect of the other vessel.

c) When a master is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists he shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly.

When two vessels, power-driven or unpowered, are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the master of the vessel which has the other on its own starboard side shall keep his vessel out of the way and shall, if circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing his vessel ahead of the other.

The master of every vessel which is obliged to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear.

b) When from any cause, the master of a vessel required to keep her course and speed finds his vessel so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, he shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision.

c) The master of a vessel, whether power-driven or manually propelled, who takes action in a crossing situation in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) (ii) of this byelaw to avoid collision with another vessel, power-driven or unpowered, shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, not alter the course of his vessel to port for a vessel on his vessel’s own port side.

Provided that this byelaw shall not relieve the master of the give-way vessel of his obligation to keep his vessel out of the way.

Except where byelaws 31 and 35 otherwise require:

a) the master of a power-driven vessel underway shall keep his vessel out of the way of:

b) the master of a sailing vessel underway shall keep his vessel out of the way of:

a) This byelaw applies to vessels not in sight of one another when navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility.

b) The master of every vessel shall ensure that his vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility. The master of a power-driven vessel shall ensure that the vessel’s engines are ready for immediate manoeuvre.

c) The master of every vessel shall have due regard to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility when complying with these byelaws.

d) Except where it has been determined that a risk of collision does not exist, the master of every vessel who hears apparently forward of his vessel’s beam the fog signal of another vessel, or whose vessel cannot avoid a close-quarters situation with another vessel forward of his vessel’s beam, shall reduce his vessels speed to the minimum at which it can be kept on its course. He shall if necessary take all way off his vessel and in any event navigate with extreme caution until danger of collision is over.

a) Where a vessel, which is not a hauled vessel, is overtaking a hauled vessel, the master of such a vessel shall cause his vessel to be steered in such a manner that the vessel passes with the vessel overtaken being between the towing path and the overtaking vessel and the master of the vessel overtaken shall cause his hauling line to be slackened and keep his vessel as near as possible to the towing path while the other vessel is passing.

b) When two vessels are being hauled but proceeding in opposite directions approach each other, the master of the vessel proceeding against the current shall cause his vessel to pass between the towpath and the other vessel. The master of the other vessel must proceed accordingly. If no current is present the masters shall cause their vessels to pass port side to port side.

a) The master of a vessel towing or pushing one or more other vessels shall ensure that the vessel or vessels being towed or pushed when underway shall have at least one competent person constantly on board to ensure the safe navigation and management thereof except when the overall length of tow does not exceed 4 metres and the beam of the towed vessel does not exceed the beam of the towing vessel.

b) Where any offence against this byelaw is committed, the owner or the hirer (if any) of the vessel towed or pushed and (when the vessel is in tow of or being pushed by a power-driven vessel) the master of such power-driven vessel shall be liable to proceeded against. Provided that such owner (or hirer as the case may be) and such master be not both punished in respect of the same offence.

a) The master of any vessel underway shall ensure that the vessel be navigated singly and separately except as otherwise hereinafter provided in this byelaw.

b) The master of a power-driven vessel may tow another vessel secured alongside but shall not at the same time push ahead or tow alongside any other vessel without consent of the authority.

c) The master of a power-driven vessel, if properly equipped for such purpose, may push ahead another vessel but shall not at the same time tow alongside or astern any other vessel.

d) Vessels towed below Folly Bridge Oxford shall be placed in single line and not more than four such vessels shall be towed together at the same time except with the consent of the authority which consent may be given subject to conditions.

e) Vessels towed above Folly Bridge Oxford shall be placed in single line and not more than two such vessels shall be towed together at the same time except with the consent of the authority which consent may be given subject to conditions.

f) Byelaw 44 (d) and (e) shall not apply to towed vessels when fastened together and towed astern of other vessels provided that the maximum combined breadths of such towed vessels when towed alongside one another does not exceed 4.5 metres (15 feet) and the overall length of tow does not exceed 15 metres (49.5 feet).

The master of any vessel which is hauled, shall ensure that it is only hauled from a mast of sufficient height to protect the banks, gates, and works from injury by the tow-rope except in places where the strength of the current renders it necessary that the line should be brought down to the vessel and made fast.

a) The master of any vessel shall not attempt to enter any lock knowing there to be insufficient water to float and to carry such vessel through such lock and through the channel or cut leading to and from the same and the master of any vessel shall not stop the vessel in the lock longer than is necessary for the passage of the vessel through the same.

b) The master of any vessel (including a towed vessel) shall not enter any lock or channel or cut leading to and from the same unless the vessel is in sound and serviceable condition.

The master of a sailing vessel shall ensure that his vessel shall not enter any lock or channel or cut leading to and from the same while his sail is hoisted nor shall during the time his vessel continues to be in a lock or channel or cut leading to and from the same hoist any sail.

The master of a vessel (including a tug with a tow) after entering a lock shall ensure that the vessel is controlled by mooring lines from the shore to the bow and stern of the vessel in such manner as to prevent the vessel from running foul of the gates or works or other vessels in the lock. Provided that this byelaw shall not apply to vessels in use by the Navigation Authority or by the police, fire and ambulance services when in the execution of their duties.

a) No person shall:

b) No person shall without having previously obtained the consent of an officer of the authority or having been expressly requested by such officer to do so, use or meddle with the gear at any lock or weir or with any sluice belonging to the authority.

Provided that byelaw 49 (b) shall not apply to persons directly involved in the navigation of a vessel operating lock gear only when passing such vessel through by or over any lock belonging to or under the control of the authority at such times as a notice is being displayed which indicates that the lock is not attended at the time by an employee of the authority.

a) The master of any vessel shall ensure that no liquid fuel container or tank shall be opened or manipulated on a vessel while the same is in or waiting to enter any lock on the river.

b) While any vessel is waiting to enter any lock on a river, the master of such vessel shall take all reasonable care to prevent annoyance of other persons on the river from the escape of fumes from the exhaust.

c) When a power-driven vessel enters any lock on the river, the master of any such vessel after complying with the requirements of byelaw 48 shall then immediately stop the vessel’s engines. The master shall ensure that the vessel’s engines are not restarted until the lock-gates are opened for the egress of the vessels then in the lock. Provided that the provisions of this paragraph of this byelaw shall not apply to a vessel when no other vessel is passing through the lock at the same time.

d) No person on board any vessel in any lock on the river shall knowingly cause to be ignited any match artificial lighter or other means of producing a flame.

Subject to the provisions of byelaw 58 when any vessel is approaching, waiting to enter, entering or has entered any lock on the river, the master of the vessel shall ensure that no sound or noise from any engine, radio, television, sound amplification equipment or musical instrument or any other source on his vessel occurs which may interfere with any communication of instructions or of information between any persons engaged in assisting the passage of any vessel through by or over any lock.

The master of any vessel shall except in an emergency not pass any boat race regatta public procession or gathering for the launch of a vessel or any other event or function which may cause a crowd to assemble on or by the river nor station his vessel thereon in such a manner as would risk obstructing impeding or interfering with such boat race regatta procession launching event or function or endangering the safety of persons assembling on the river or preventing or interfering with the maintenance of order thereon.

The master of every vessel when navigating or lying in the river shall cause that her anchor is carried in such a position as not to risk causing injury to any person or damage to any other vessel.

a) Except in an emergency or due to unavoidable cause or with the consent of the authority the master of any vessel shall not anchor moor berth or otherwise stop in such a position as to impede the clear and free passage of any other vessel or otherwise obstruct the navigation of the river or the use of the banks or towpath thereof.

b) When the master of any vessel anchors moors or stops in front of the towpath he shall ensure that the mast towing-mast or aerial or other similar moveable obstruction (if any) as the case may be shall be lowered so as to permit the towing lines of any vessel to pass without obstruction and that the vessel shall be securely made fast at head and stern and that it shall be laid as close to and along the bank of such towpath as conveniently may be.

The master of any vessel at anchor or lying moored at or attached to any moorings mooring buoy mooring post dolphin jetty wharf or landing-place shall at all times take all reasonable steps to ensure that it be kept properly and effectually secured or made fast.

The master of every vessel which has slipped parted from or lost any anchor cable or propeller shall as soon as practicable give notice thereof and of the position of such anchor cable or propeller to the authority.

a) The master or person in charge of any houseboat or launch who causes that houseboat or launch to be anchored moored or remain stationary during the course of ordinary navigation shall ensure that no annoyance be caused to any occupier of a riparian residence by reason of the loitering or delay of that houseboat or launch.

b) The master of any power-driven vessel attached to any moorings mooring buoy mooring post dolphin jetty wharf or landing-place shall ensure that her engines are not worked in a manner risking causing injury or damage to such moorings mooring buoy mooring post dolphin jetty wharf or landing-place or any vessel or thing whatsoever or in such manner to give reasonable cause for annoyance to any person on the waterway or on the banks.

The master of every vessel shall obey and conform to the directions of any officer of the authority relating to the use navigation mooring or unmooring of such vessel.

a) The master of every vessel which through accident or other cause has sunk or is stranded in the river shall as soon as practicable give to the lock keeper at the nearest lock on the river or other officer of the authority notice thereof and of the position of such vessel.

b) No person shall place or leave any mark, buoy or other temporary work or obstruction in place in the river without having previously having obtained in writing the consent of the authority which consent may be given subject to such conditions as the authority consider necessary and which conditions shall in all respects be complied with.

The master of a vessel shall not load or discharge any cargo ballast fuel refuse or rubbish any part of which is liable in the course of such loading or discharging to fall into the river without taking such precautions by affixing canvas or tarpaulins or other suitable material or thing as shall effectually prevent any such cargo ballast fuel refuse or rubbish from falling into the river.

No person shall exhibit or cause to be exhibited any advertisement or advertising notice upon or by means of any vessel or otherwise on or over the Thames.

Provided that this byelaw shall not prevent:

(a) the exhibition of advertisements or notices relevant to boat builders, river works contractors, boat hirers or similar trades and businesses if such advertisement or notice is for the purposes of or in reference to the trade or business of the owner of such vessel.

The expression ‘owner’ in this byelaw means the person whose name appears on the certificate of registration of such vessel;

(b) the exhibition on a passenger vessel of a notice or notices which serve only to identify the person or company who for the time being are the charterer or hirer of such passenger vessel;

(d) the exhibition of advertisements by or authorised by the authority on land belonging to them and used by them under any enactment.

No person other than officers of the authority in the course of their duties or police, fire and ambulance services or others acting in an emergency shall ride drive place or leave any motorcar or motorcycle cart carriage wagon cycle or any other vehicle of any description or any horse over or upon any towpath of the Thames (not being a towpath over which there is public right of way for vehicles).

Provided that:

(a) this byelaw shall not apply to any person riding or driving a horse used for the purpose of towing a vessel;

(b) nothing in this byelaw contained shall take away or diminish any existing right of any riparian owner in any towpath who in the exercise of any such right causes no obstruction or damage to such towpath so as to interfere with the use thereof for towing;

(c) this byelaw shall not apply to any person riding a cycle (other than a motorcycle) who causes no obstruction or damage to the towpath so as to interfere with the use thereof for towing. Provided that this exception shall not confer or be deemed to confer upon any person any right to ride a cycle over or upon any towpath of the Thames where such right does not exist;

(d) this byelaw shall not apply to any towpath which passes over any public walk or pleasure ground which was within the boundaries in 1972 of the former Boroughs of Reading and Henley on Thames respectively nor to any towpath which passed over any public walk or pleasure ground which was in 1972 under the control of the former Council of the Borough of Abingdon and of the former Walton and Weybridge Urban District Council respectively.

No person shall while using or while in upon or about the river or the banks or the towpaths thereof or any land of the authority:

(a) use any abusive threatening or indecent language or conduct himself in a threatening or offensive manner to any officer of the authority whilst employed in the due execution of his duties or to the annoyance of any person using the river or the banks or the towpaths thereof or any of the locks works or other property of the authority;

(b) knowingly bathe at any place where bathing is for the time being prohibited by the authority, and so indicated by notice publicly displayed;

(c) fish at any place where fishing is for the time being prohibited by the authority and so indicated by notice publicly displayed;

(d) engage in any diving operations without the previous consent in writing of the authority and subject to such conditions as the authority may impose. Provided that this part of this byelaw shall not apply to employees of the authority or to police officers acting in the course of their duties;

(e) jump into the river or onto any vessel on the river from any place including a bridge or a highway or dive or swim or bathe in the river in such a manner as to cause obstruction, nuisance, annoyance or risk of danger or injury to persons or property;

(f) throw or cause to fall any stone, missile or other thing that may strike or fall upon any person vessel animal or bird on the river or on the banks or towpaths thereof or on any land of the authority;

(g) beg for or gather alms;

(h) light maintain throw down place or leave any fire or any combustible flaming smouldering or burning substance matter or thing in any place where the same may cause danger or damage to property of any kind or annoyance to any reasonable person;

(i) move any notice, notice board or litter receptacle the property of or in charge of the authority or set up by them or with their consent;

(j) move any fences, posts, gates or other property of the authority;

(k) take destroy search for or disturb the nest or egg of any bird or kill injure take catch or trap or attempt to kill injure take catch or trap any animal or bird or the young of any animal or bird.

Provided that nothing herein contained shall extend to prevent any person employed by the authority or acting with their consent from killing vermin or affect any right of fowling hunting or sporting existing on the 16th day of June, 1932;

(l) destroy remove or injure any flowering or other plant or any shrub vegetation tree wood or underwood;

(m) use any radio television record player tape recorder or any other electrical equipment or any musical instrument resulting in the broadcasting or transmission of any noise speech or sound in such manner to give reasonable cause for annoyance to any person in upon or about the river or the banks or the towpaths thereof or adjacent land of the authority.

No person other than an officer of the authority acting in the execution of his duty shall other than in an emergency:

(a) operate or attempt to operate the engine or in any way meddle with the machinery of any vessel without the permission of the master of that vessel;

(b) go aboard any vessel without the permission of the owner or master of that vessel except as shall be necessary to move or moor another vessel or gain access to another vessel.

No person shall other than in an emergency without the previous express request or consent of the ferry-man first obtained take away or use any ferry-boat belonging to the authority or any pole or tackle belonging to such ferry.

a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below no owner or master of any vessel shall keep or use or knowingly permit to be kept or used on the river any vessel provided with a sanitary appliance of such design that polluting matter normally passes or can pass into the river.

b) Where any vessel is fitted with a sanitary appliance, such appliance shall be so designed, constructed and at all times maintained as necessary to prevent any such passage as aforesaid.

c) The master of every vessel present on the river, at the date of coming into force of these byelaws, and of every vessel on the river on or after such date, if such vessel is fitted with sanitary arrangements or appliances so designed or constructed as to permit the passage into the river of polluting matter, shall without undue delay give notice to the lock keeper at the lock nearest to the vessel’s point of entry to the river or to any officer of the authority specifying the nature of such arrangements aforesaid. The master shall also, upon being requested by such lock keeper or other officer of the authority so to do, afford such officer of the authority facilities for the taking by him of such steps by way of sealing or otherwise as may be reasonably necessary for preventing the passage into the water of polluting matter from the vessel so long as the vessel remains on the river. So long as the vessel remains on the river, no interference or alteration shall be made with the sealing or other steps so taken as aforesaid except with the approval of the authority.

d) No person shall discharge polluting matter into the river from any vessel or from any sanitary appliance used thereon.

The owner or occupier of a mill intending to draw down the water at the mill for the repair of such mill or of any flood-gates or other works belonging thereto or for the purpose of cleansing the mill stream shall (except in case of sudden emergency) give to the authority not less than seven days previous notice in writing of his intention to do so.

The master of a ferry shall ensure that all ferry chains or ropes or other apparatus relating to a ferry laid across the river shall be slackened down level with the bed of the river when not actually in use.

No person shall without the previous consent of the authority lay down erect or maintain or knowingly cause to be laid down erected or maintained any wire, rope, cable, chain, work or structure in, over, under or across the river.

Provided that this byelaw shall not restrict, prevent, interfere with or prejudice the exercise of any existing or future statutory rights or powers.

No person shall knowingly place or use on or near the Thames any light which is likely to mislead persons navigating the Thames or to endanger the safe navigation of vessels upon the Thames.

The owner or master or person in charge of a pleasure boat for hire shall not allow any person to embark in the boat for the purpose of being carried therein or using the boat for hire unless the boat is in sound and serviceable condition.

The owner or master or person in charge of any vessel shall not permit the loading of that vessel to exceed the loading limits whether expressed by weight or numbers of persons for which that vessel was designed or is constructed nor shall he permit that load to be distributed in or on the vessel in such a way as injuriously to affect the vessel’s stability or manoeuvrability.

Provided that not more than one of such owner master or person in charge shall be punished in respect of the same offence.

The master of any passenger vessel used or navigated on the Thames and carrying twelve or more passengers shall hold the appropriate licence issued by the Department of Transport and shall upon demand by any officer of the authority produce such licence or certificate for inspection to that officer or shall within five days produce the same at the authority’s Navigation Office at Reading.

No person shall navigate or attempt to navigate or be in charge of a vessel on the Thames under the influence of drink or of a drug or drugs to such an extent that his ability to have proper control of such vessel may be impaired.

No person shall place or allow to be placed or remain upon any part of the Thames any useless or derelict vessel without the previous consent of the authority and shall without undue delay remove the same on being requested to do so by any officer of the authority.

No person shall without the previous consent in writing of the authority in, on or adjacent to the river knowingly display or knowingly cause to be displayed any notice or sign containing any statement relating to the use of the river, or towpaths or land of the authority.

This section has been revoked by Article 30 (2) of The Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order 2010, as set out in Schedule 6, Part 2.

The master of a vessel shall take all reasonable precautions for the prevention of accidents by fire or explosion.

On the occurrence of any fire explosion or other similar accident on board any vessel on the Thames the master or owner thereof shall unless reasonably prevented from doing so within twenty-four hours thereafter send to the authority at their regional head office in Reading for the time being notice in writing giving all information in his power as to the locality as well as the day and hour of the accident the cause of the accident the part or parts (if any) that failed and the extent of the failure and the damage (if any) to persons or property and such other particulars (if any) as the authority may reasonably require and provided the master or owner shall give to the authority all reasonable facilities for so doing the authority shall within three days after the receipt of such notice as aforesaid inspect or cause the vessel to be inspected and for that purpose the vessel shall be preserved and kept by the owner as nearly as possible in the exact condition in which the vessel was after the completion of the fire or other accident.

a) Any person who shall offend against any of these byelaws shall for every offence be liable to a penalty not exceeding:

b) Where any offence against these byelaws is committed in respect of any vessel the person in charge and the owner of the vessel shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished provided that the person in charge and the owner of the vessel be not both punished in respect of the same offence.

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