The Great River Race - Saturday 8 September 2007

CJL · 17 May 2007, 17:07

The Great River Race- 8th September 2007

"Less po-faced than the Oxbridge race and much more colourful" - Time Out (No. 18 in their ‘101 Things To Do Before You Leave London’ feature)

The Great River Race is a 22 mile rowing race from Richmond upon Thames to Greenwich. Its 'the London Marathon' on water and this year Northern Exposure Rescue is very proud to have been asked to help arrange and manage the safety fleet for the 2007 Race.

We have sent a letter out to all the crews that took part last year but we have been asked to ensure this years fleet has more 4m + safety boats. We are well on our way to getting 40 safety boats for the day but we still need some more.

So we were hoping the good people of RIBnet would be interested in helping out us reaching that magic number of 40 and come and give us a hand!

We have to point out this is a very challenging patch of water and we have agreed a set of minumum standards with the Port of London Authority for safety boats;

1) Cox with RYA safetyboat tickets
2) Boats with a LOA greater than 4m
3) 25 watt VHF + Licences
4) Previous experience of navigating on the River Thames and doing safety cover.
5) Ability to attend a briefing in London a nearer the time

In return for you time we can cover reasonable fuel costs for your boat and give you a day out on the most spectacular patch of water in the UK.

If you meet this minimum criteria and you would like to take part please drop me a quick PM for more information.

Alternatively the event website is http://www.greatriverrace.co.uk

Hope to hear from lots of you soon!!!

Chris

watersideman1 · 20 May 2007, 08:52

would of love to come up as i used to run the workshop for chas at puntey
it would be a great day out with my new diesel jet ribcarft
but the miss would kill me booked holiday 8000 miles away
should you get any need at any other point then im your man
bryan

CJL · 21 May 2007, 10:27

Thanks to all the PMs so far.

When you PM me can you make sure you put your email address on the PM then I can send you a reply for and a letter

Thanks

Chris

CJL · 18 June 2007, 13:36

Any other takers for this event?

Chris

timw · 08 September 2007, 21:43

It all seemed to go very well Chris...No doubt you are pleased as it's a huge event to provide safety cover for.

I heard over the vhf that the class 5 ships, Henley and Viscount got rather too close and they both collided wth a RIB and a competing boat somewhere near Battersea Reach!

Those two are big vessels, no damage I hope.

CJL · 10 September 2007, 10:38

No damage but the HM had a few strong words with them.

All in all we had three dragon boats capsize and one girl with a hurt back who decided after demanding and ambulance that she wasn't that hurt at all. Not a bad job really.

Thanks for your help, we can't make the day happen without the help from volunteers.

If you send your expenses claim to me along with your flags, I'll get payment authorised asap.

Chris

Channel Ribs · 10 September 2007, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

If you send your expenses claim to me along with your flags, I'll get payment authorised asap.
Chris

Ooops, I was a bit keen with the expenses part - the flags will follow on tomorrow.

PS Is your site down?

timw · 10 September 2007, 14:23

Chris, no need for expenses as very little fuel used with engine ticking over keeping stationary against the tide.

I shall send the flags back soon

CJL · 20 September 2007, 12:51

Dear all,

Just a quick message to let you know that the Volunteers Party will be taking place at 1900hrs onboard HMS President on the 8th October in central London.

Hope to see you all there.

Chris

CJL · 05 October 2007, 09:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

Dear all,

Just a quick message to let you know that the Volunteers Party will be taking place at 1900hrs onboard HMS President on the 8th October in central London.

Hope to see you all there.

Chris

make that the 18th October!

Loose Moose · 06 October 2007, 19:14

Channel Ribs · 06 October 2007, 22:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loose Moose

I was robbed! Just out of shot in the first photo, I knew I should have worn something yellow.

Channel Ribs · 08 October 2007, 09:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loose Moose

If I may, I would like to use one of those pics on our local Maritime Volunteer's web site along with a link to the GRR?

www.mvsthanet.org.uk

Loose Moose · 09 October 2007, 18:26

The photo's, (and many more besides), were taken by a freelance who was crewing for me. If anybody wants a disk, pm me and I will pass your details along.

Moose.