Clive D. W. Feather wrote:
In article ,
Richard J. writes
Anyway, I'm surprised that any sailing vessel would carry on
towards the bridge just hoping that it might lift, though to be
fair the incoming tide would have carried her towards the bridge.
(Crossposted to uk.rec.sailing for more informed comments on this
aspect.)

When you do the tourist thing at the bridge, they tell you that all
ships are entitled to have the bridge opened for them. The bridge
authorities used to keep lookouts for miles down the river in case
something approaching was likely to want the bridge opened.

But nowadays "at least 24 hours notice is required (in writing) for
Tower Bridge to lift". [from
http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/bridge_lifts.htm ]

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