You can select any of the sections by clicking the relevant link below; the panel that opens will give some help on the chosen section.
Tap the matching icon for relevant tips
Marinas/boatyards, Moorings, Pumpout, Fuel, Elec Charging, Bridges, Slipways, Pubs, Fishing, Camp sites, Lock names, Emergency RVPs (all locks are shown by default).
On the interactive map, tap plus (bottom centre) then tap and choose the overlay(s) you wantAny icon now displayed as a map overlay can be tapped to reveal a popup with more information
On the Thames planner select those river sections you wish to view (can be preset in Settings at bottom of page)
Tap your starting point and the Planner will display the Destination points - select where you are goingThe details of your journey will display in a popup with the sailing time (at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 MPH), river (sailing) distance and number of locks to transit
Tapping 'show on map' will open the interactive map with your journey highlighted (Thames Planner only)
Every lock is shown in river order
Click on 'More' to see full details for the selected lock (name, phone, post code, drop, width, length, operation type, facilities, portage (where available) at this lock* and keeper's hours) - *including water, WC, pump-out, showers, rubbish disposal, recycling, electric charging, camping, fuel, slipway, short term mooringTapping 'Show on map' will open the interactive map with the selected lock highlighted
See the current non-tidal Thames flow conditions (each lock button shows the colour of the current conditions' board)
Be aware of red and yellow boards (on the non-tidal Thames) and fluvial flows (on the tidal Thames) - links on the Conditions page provide popups to explain red/yellow boards and fluvial flows
The current weather and a short term forecast is shown for every lock and selected tidal stretches together with other information helpful for safe use of the river.Conditions and Weather are drawn from external sites so an Internet connection is required (for conditions by phone in the absence of Internet connectivity see Advice/Tools)
Scroll to the lock or location for which a forecast is wanted and tap the button
Forecasts are downloaded on demand so an Internet connection is required
For each bridge the headway (clearance between the water and underneath of the main arch of each bridge) is shown (also see special procedure for transiting Tower Bridge)
Headway for tidal Thames' bridges is shown for high water
The expected draft (depth of water) in the central third of the river (known as the 'fairway') is shown for the non-tidal Thames and Wey (depth on the tidal Thames is tide-dependent)
Remember the draft of your boat (the distance between the waterline and the keel) when verifying sufficient depth
The four top sections (Where am I, Man Overboard, In an emergency, and Fire, sinking, Illness) are to help when something goes wrong
The remaining sections cover a range of information and useful topics to ensure you carry out your sailing in safety and according to the rules laid down by the river authorities
Information provided includes Navigation Aids, Sound Signals, Flag Signals, Flag Etiquette and a searchable glossary of Boating Terms
Tap whichever section you wish to read; if you are new to boating it will make sense to read some of the Advice sections before your first trip!
Provides a link to email the author alongside copyright, current app version info, disclaimer and privacy notice; a link to the app support site is also available here
Provides context-sensitive assistance for the page from which it is opened
Your ensign should be struck (lowered) at the earlier of sunset or 2100 local time. The correct time for the current day is shown on the app home page.
it is illegal for a British merchant vessel to fly the Union Flag (Merchant Shipping Act, 1995; Part 1, Section 4); British merchant vessels are encouraged to fly the Red Ensign; some vessel masters (not the vessel itself) are entitled to fly one of the variants of the Blue Ensign.
It is improper for a foreign merchant vessel to fly the Union Flag (Kings's Regulations for the Navy, Section 91); the correct courtesy flag is the Red ensign (although a foreign commissioned warship may fly the White Ensign as a courtesy flag).
Only a commissioned Royal Navy warship may fly the Union Flag but only on the vessel's jackstaff; the correct ensign for such a vessel is the White Ensign
The Red Ensign for all British merchant vessels (including pleasure craft):
Feedback from users is the best way to ensure River Thames Guide is kept up-to-date; please send details of any changes noted and/or suggestions for improvements to the author by clicking the top button below.
