Free fuel for your boat for a trip up the Thames? Anyone doing this?

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Take your rib to the Thames and they pay your travel fuel and boat fuel if you help as a safety boat for the Great River Race. Looks like a good day out.

I'd go if it wasnt quite so far or have an exam on the 19th

The Great River Race

[Oscarguitar]

I would love to do that. Got the boat, got the trailer, got nothing to tow it with! Damn shame, looks like a good day out but they may be looking for saftely boats that are a bit more nimble for the river.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

True! With an 8.6m Cobra, if you turned round in the Thames many a rowing boat may be bumped in to. Nice boat though!

[mitchc]

I'll be there with my camera clicking away. Will post some photo's after the event.

I'm also doing the queens jubilee event next year!
As you say it's a good day out that costs nothing but your time:-)

[Channel Ribs]

I have done it in years past, an excellent event and well run by Will and his team.

[Pikey Dave]

We've volunteered for the Diamond Jubilee, not sure what happens next though.

[mitchc]

You'll get a mail from Will telling you more info. But there will be a briefing ahead of the event.
If possible I'd recommend you visit the Thames a couple of times with the rib; it can be pretty daunting the first time with all the debris and the tourist clippers wizzing about!
Although I'm sure for the jubilee event the tourist boats will be suspended whilst the fleet passes.

It might be worth an email to Will to double check he got your registration form?

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by mitchc

it can be pretty daunting the first time with all the debris and the tourist clippers wizzing about!

So, not unlike a week-end on the Solent then!
I've also volunteered for the Diamond Jubilee event, but cannot make it to this one.

[mitchc]

No seriously I mean lots of debris!
Pallets, railway sleepers, huge tarpaulins, trees, & load of wine/beer bottles.
The really big bits seem to be down stream of the barrier, but even upstream of Woolwich there's loads to watch out for. I'm sure when they say the water is relatively pollution free now they are correct it just looks pretty grotty!
Last time we had trip from the isle of dogs up to Putney we counted 14 tennis balls and 5 footballs too! At least they just bounce off:-)