Floptilla: A tall ship passing through the barrier
WHAT SHOULD have been one of the year’s most spectacular sights on the river ended in disappointment this afternoon.
Crowds who had gathered along the riverside in Greenwich to see a long-planned flotilla of tall ships, here in London for Sail Royal Greenwich, waited in blistering heat in vain as the ships turned around before they even reached maritime Greenwich.
The vessels had left Tilbury later than planned with lead vessel, the Wylde Swan, not reaching the Thames Barrier until 1.30pm. A tweet from the organisers earlier in the week suggested an arrival time at Greenwich of 12-12.30.
A procession of ships came around the dome but instead of continuing up river they turned around and returned to Woolwich while spectators continued to wait expectantly at vantage points either side of the river.
Those waiting were left bitterly disappointed as news emerged via Twitter and ship tracking smartphone applications that the much anticipated tall ships weren’t coming.
Isle of Dogs resident, Susan Proctor, waited in Island Gardens for almost two and a half hours.
She said: “My friend is visiting for a couple of days and we looked online to find out if there was anything on today. We saw the flotilla listed and rushed down to make sure we didn’t miss anything and now we’ve missed it all.
“We spoke to the organisers on the phone and they said it would be here between 12pm and 2pm. We could have spent the day doing something else if we’d known.”
The event organisers have since posted an apology on their website later in the afternoon. Under the headline, “Our Very Sincere Apologies!”, it said:
“Due to security and safety concerns our ships had to turn between Cubbitt Town and Greenwich Peninsula. We were so close to Greenwich – and we can only apologise for these unforeseen circumstances.”
Sail Royal Greenwich hosted a launch dinner this evening at the Cutty Sark to which local councillors were invited. The fleet of tall ships can still be seen on the river conducting trips until August 12th. Corporate and individual bookings are available.
Susan Proctor, right, with friend Claire.
Crowds waiting along the river front to see the tall ships instead saw rubbish go past.
Those watching near the barrier did see the impressive tall ship display
- More information about Greenwich tall ships events.
Rubbish organising and communication. What a frustrating day hot and over 3 hrs of travelling
Such a shame waited for over 2 hours in scorching temperatures to catch a glimpse of the ships turn around, no information as to why it was abandoned….well done Greenwich!!!!!
The people on shore may have been disappointed, but nearly so much as the people on the boats, who had paid £139 each to sail into Greenwich on the trip of a lifetime.
The boats simply turned round without warning, apology or explanation.
I really hate to rain on everyone’s (very expensive and/or frustrating) parade, but the two large vessels in Rob’s (and the Phantom’s) photos don’t even appear to be ‘Tall Ships’ at all. Tall Ships are traditionally square-rigged three masted vessels. These are just large Bermudan-rigged sloops with some square-rigged topsails. The “Royal Borough of Greenwich” has some real questions to answer about whether “Royal Sail Greenwich” has delivered local taxpayers’ value for money.
Typical UK organisation. Our friend took the day off from work! Security problems -Rubbish. They left late & couldn’t be bothered to come to Greenwich! We met people who had travelled from Poole.
Spent 4 hours waiting to see the tall ships,nothing no ships no explanation.Is this the organisation we can expect from the olypics?.
Why were the ambassadors not informed of changes so we have enjoyed other venues on offer,instead of many people plus infirm elderly sitting in the HEAT expectantly.
The Helpers we spoke to were very embarrassed as everyone was asking questions which they were unable to answer information would have been very easy via these very pleasant ambassadors they did an excellent job unlike the organisers. TV seems to be ignoring the whole subject. We all would have appreciated through the media. An apology.
To add insult to injury, we were told by the officials at Woolwich when we got there (too late) that the turn-round had been because the harbourmaster had banned the fleet from coming further, because there were too many of them to turn round.
We and everyone else, and all the web sites, knew how many (about 16 boats) days and days before. So how come he didn’t ? Or if he did, how come his ban wasn’t passed on to everyone, including the web sites, the newspapers, local radio etc etc days before. And how come the large crowd of tourists, visitors, children, coach parties etc were not at least told when they arrived at Greenwich ?
As an English person I was downright embarrassed and upset for the overseas visitors who were there. Some spent the whole of a precious day of their visit there. They must have thought that if we can make such a terrific mess of a few boats sailing up the river, how can we organise the Olympics ?
Absolutely agree, they could not be bothered !!
At last I have found out a little about the Tall Ships sailing which wasn’t. There was nothing on any of the news reports last night. We travelled up from East Sussex, not very far certainly not as far as others but it was over £40.00 on train fares, husband lost a day’s wages, lunch had to be bought, ice cream was £9.00 for 4, drinks had to be bought for everyone, grampa, granny, mother, daughter (13) and son (2). We all stood in the heat for 3 hours not wanting to move away in case they came. Rumours started about 2p.m. They included:- There wasn’t enough water for them, There wasn’t enough wind, The MOD had forbidden them to come near to HMS Ocean. But noone told us they weren’t coming and we could go and enjoy other attraction which were available. What a wasted day.
Yes totally agree a wasted day !!!
Couldn’t agree more with all of the comments regarding the HUGE disappointment we all felt at hearing the ships had turned around! My party, like lots of others, had been there over 3 hours waiting for this spectacle. We hopped on a bus to Woolwich after we heard the “rumours” (and then confirmation by my calling Sail Royal Greenwich) and managed to see some of them moored there but that sight was nothing compared to what it would have been seeing them sail past us into Greenwich. Rubbish communication, heard differing stories as to why it didn’t happen – would love to know the truth!
I was on one of the tall ships with my family. The crew seemed totally surprised when we were all ordered to turn round on the river by the river police/port authorities. It seemed completely out of the control of the ships and we were just told that the ships could not go further becuase of security concerns. I find it a concern that that ‘reason’ is now being used to explain any action and would love to know why the ships were turned back when it had been planned for a long time.
Typical for Greenwich, no communication and useless organisation. But it’s ok the Councillors got their noses in the trough during the evening event. Never mind the people that put you there.
I actually work on the river never seen anything so badly organised the tall ships cutting up other river traffic and one particular tall ship made a terrible manuover and actually turned to starboard crossiing our head fortunately our highly experienced skipper took evasive action and avoided a collision. After all we are a tug and tow with the tow carrying 1000 tonnes of material!!!
I had a look on the PLA website for the notice to mariners, they were only ever going to be allowed to Blackwall Reach.
http://www.pla.co.uk/notice2mariners/pdf/31_of_2012_w_-_Sail_Greenwich_2012_-_Parade_of_Sail___Berthing.Anchoring_Arrangements.pdf
However, the opening paragraph does state to Greenwich.