Roland Perry wrote:
In message ,
Richard J. writes
"Andy Spark, from the Jubilee Sailing Trust, said: 'We believed the
bridge was booked, but it didn't open - we don't know why yet.'
... But the Corporation of London, which owns Tower Bridge, said:
'No lifting of the bridge had been booked in.'

From having done a tour of the bridge I'm pretty sure that vessels
requiring it to lift have to call in on the radio, that all bigger
vessels have to carry. I wonder why the Tall Ship didn't (either
have such a radio, or use it).

One news report said that the Tower Pier lifeboat crew heard the Lord
Nelson on the radio asking for the bridge to be lifted, but all lifts
have to be booked in advance, and this one apparently wasn't.

The Thames bridges also have "traffic lights" for vessels, so this
is actually a SPAD as well!

I doubt it. AFAIK the lights are to show which bridge arches are
available for navigation. There was no reason to stop vessels passing
under the bridge, but it's the skipper's job to ensure he has enough
headroom.
--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)

In message , Richard J.
writes
The Thames bridges also have "traffic lights" for vessels, so this
is actually a SPAD as well!

I doubt it. AFAIK the lights are to show which bridge arches are
available for navigation. There was no reason to stop vessels passing
under the bridge, but it's the skipper's job to ensure he has enough
headroom.

I still think there'd be *additional* signal lights to indicate when it
was lifted.

ps Lifting schedule:

http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/bridge_lifts_schedule.htm
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry wrote:
In message ,
Richard J. writes
The Thames bridges also have "traffic lights" for vessels, so this
is actually a SPAD as well!

I doubt it. AFAIK the lights are to show which bridge arches are
available for navigation. There was no reason to stop vessels
passing under the bridge, but it's the skipper's job to ensure he
has enough headroom.

I still think there'd be *additional* signal lights to indicate
when it was lifted.

ps Lifting schedule:

http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/bridge_lifts_schedule.htm

.... on which the Lord Nelson does not appear! Incidentally, I
understand that the intention was to pass under a raised Tower Bridge,
turn round and return downstream to West India Dock, and that she did
the same journey last year. The Lord Nelson is currently moored,
apparently undamaged, at Thames Quay, West India Dock (200 metres east
of DLR South Quay station) until Thursday 20 May.

--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)