--- In [email protected], Tony Bowyer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Yes - I believe the VHF regs are now in force - however you can get hold > of/ borrow/ hire/ some portable kit fairly economically I have heard - > contact St Pancras Cruising Club - as per website below for more info on > this. > > For more info on navigating on the tidal Thames try this: > http://www.stpancrascc.co.uk/ and click the 'Cruising Guides' link on > the left side > > Good luck > > Tony
The requirement for boats to have VHF radio on the tidal Thames has been in force for a number of years but until revently pleasure bots under 20m were exempt which meant that most canal craft did not require it. Unfortunately the PLA have changed the qualifying length to 13.7m which means that most canal craft are now covered by the regulation. You not only need the kit but need someone on board qualified/licensed to use it - normally a one day course. As noted above SPOCC are the experts at Thames tidal cruising a =nd an invaluable source of material. Tim
