Tidal Thames4.qxd 6/20/08 4:45 PM Page 1

THE PORT OF LONDON AUTHORITY MAGAZINE ISSUE 4 SUMMER 2008 Tidal Thames4.qxd 6/20/08 4:45 PM Page 2

Drinking the Thames Rower R The Government has published a Thousands of Londoners could soon be at increased risk of water A rower was dragged raft of proposals to boost safety in be drinking Thames tidal water. restrictions in future droughts if port authority crewme ports and at sea. Ministers say their Marine Work on the capital’s first we don’t have additional sources tide wedged her traini Navigation Bill will improve the ship desalination plant has been given of water. against a jetty. management powers of harbour the go-ahead after City Hall and “The desalination plant is a vital The casualty had be authorities, the Transport Secretary, and the General Lighthouse Thames Water ended a long-running part of our response to this near Denton Wharf, G Authorities. wrangle over its future. situation. We want it to provide when the current caug It will also minimise the London mayor Boris Johnson more safe, clean drinking water for side-on and rammed i environmental and financial impact called off a court action to block the of managing wrecks. Londoners by 2010. Shipping minister Jim Fitzpatrick treatment works in May. Now the “Desalination is more energy said: “The standards of maritime plant, the first to convert salt intensive than conventional water safety in the UK are high and the Thames water into fresh drinking professionalism of those who treatment, so we’re committed to water, should be completed by manage our shipping and ports is running the plant only when it’s second to none. Accidents are late 2009. essential, and to providing 100 per thankfully rare, but when they do The complex has been mired in happen the consequences can be cent of its power from renewable dispute since its first planning catastrophic. energy.” “This draft Bill brings together a application in 2004. When operational, the plant will number of measures to allow the It’s been the subject of council relevant authorities to manage debates, appeals and a Public produce around 140 million litres safety better and keep our seas and a day – enough to supply 400,000 ports safe.” Inquiry. The draft Bill would give the Last year it got the go-ahead from people. Government powers to compel ship Government, but former mayor, Ken It will take water from the tidal owners to remove wrecks, and Thames at Beckton, process it, and improve the regulation of pilotage Livingstone, launched a legal exemption certificates. challenge in the High Court. then pump it through a new pipeline The Government is consulting on David Owens, Thames Water’s to a reservoir in Essex, for the proposals until 25 July 2008, and chief executive, said: “London’s distribution to customers across London's chief harbour master David Cheetah Snelson will be giving evidence to the rapidly growing population will North East London. Transport Select Committee. the Wate The Port of London Au charting the river with Editor: Doug Kempster £115,000 catamaran. Design: The 7.9 metre surve Eureka Marketing Solutions went into service with 020 7801 1480 Photographers: UK’s busiest port hydr Samuel Ashfield, departments during th Ferrari Press Agency, John Neligan, The craft replaces t Andy Wallace, authority’s 10-year-old Keith Cass, boat Brent, and will w Nicholas Leach, ZSL alongside sister vesse Port of London Authority and Yantlet, covering London River House between Teddington a Royal Pier Road Gravesend North Sea. DA12 2BG, UK The new cat, called Enquiries: London’s seaborne cargo topped 50 million tonnes for the seventh year in a row during was built by Cheetah [email protected] 2007. The figure included more than a million artic-lorry sized box containers (two the Isle of Wight. It’s p Telephone: million teu). 01474 562 305 Overall trade in the port rose by more than 1.5 per cent on the previous year to twin Honda 135hp ou For more information 52.7 million tonnes. motors, giving it a ma on the Port of London Authority, go to: The Port of London Authority’s annual review, published in May, also revealed that speed of 28 knots. An www.portoflondon.co.uk cargo shipped between Thames wharves and jetties continued to run at more than two million tonnes. with £200,000-worth equipment including s

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River News

Rower Rescued from River d risk of water A rower was dragged to safety by support piles. whipped her out of the craft and future droughts if port authority crewmen after the The Port of London Authority’s under the jetty. additional sources tide wedged her training scull Steve Mordue heard her calls for Further along the wharf, Steve’s against a jetty. help as she struggled to get free of colleagues Ian Yarnton and Kevin nation plant is a vital The casualty had been rowing the capsizing scull. Ridley saw the drama unfolding sponse to this near Denton Wharf, Gravesend, He threw her a life ring and and launched a PLA support boat. want it to provide when the current caught her boat rescue line, and stopped her from They weaved through the piles, an drinking water for side-on and rammed it into two being washed away as the torrent positioning themselves 2010. downstream of the casualty before on is more energy nudging through the current n conventional water towards her. Kevin caught hold of the rower we’re committed to as the boat closed in on her, and lant only when it’s both he and Ian hauled her to to providing 100 per safety. wer from renewable Ian then wheeled the boat through 180 degrees, and chased ational, the plant will the scull which had dislodged nd 140 million litres from the jetty and swept past h to supply 400,000 them during the rescue. He said: “It was only about an water from the tidal hour or so after high water, so the ckton, process it, and current was nowhere near at its through a new pipeline strongest, yet the force was in Essex, for considerable. o customers across Cheetah – New Cat on “It was a real reminder of how ndon. treacherous the Thames can be.” The rower was shocked and the Water cold, but uninjured. The Port of London Authority is art multibeam echo sounders for charting the river with a new measuring the depth and shape of £115,000 catamaran. the river bed. The 7.9 metre survey vessel Unlike its mono hull went into service with one of the predecessor, Galloper’s twin hulls UK’s busiest port hydrographic and low centre of gravity make it departments during the spring. a very stable working platform. The craft replaces the Deputy port hydrographer John authority’s 10-year-old survey Dillon-Leetch said: “This boat will boat Brent, and will work be a regular sight along the tidal alongside sister vessels Verifier Thames wherever the water is and Yantlet, covering the river shallow and more difficult for our between Teddington and the larger survey boats to navigate. Plans for the world’s biggest wind farm look uncertain after oil giant Shell said it North Sea. “Galloper is also small enough wants to quit the project. The new cat, called Galloper, to fit onto a trailer, making it The company is one of three energy nth year in a row during was built by Cheetah Marine on easier to transport when we’re firms behind the London Array – a Thames Estuary development that could d box containers (two the Isle of Wight. It’s powered by doing survey work for other house up to 341 turbines and produce the previous year to twin Honda 135hp outboard organisations around the enough power to supply a quarter of motors, giving it a maximum south coast.” London’s homes. May, also revealed that speed of 28 knots. And it’s fitted The boat takes its name from a E.ON, one of the three wind farm to run at more than two backers, said the news had “introduced a with £200,000-worth of sandbank in the outer Thames new element of risk into the project equipment including state-of-the Estuary. which will need to be assessed”. Tidal Thames4.qxd 6/20/08 4:45 PM Page 4

New Bas

Developers have been green light to start bu Thames base for the w biggest container ship London Gateway wa River News Harbour Empowermen shipping minister Jim in May. Work on the major d terminal – the UK’s fir years – is now expecte later this year. Crews have rowed two The Gateway will m Thames Waterman the UK’s biggest port b Cutters from London the river’s annual carg to Paris in a 417 nautical mile capacity by 3.5 millio marathon. Three in a Row? (twenty foot equivalen The route took the creating around 12,00 boats Langstone Michael Russell and his team of watermen its Thames Clippers rivals by just 0.02 It will be the bigges Cutters and Le are hoping to snatch their third seconds. Figarow from development in the Po Westminster Bridge, consecutive victory in a traditional river “It doesn't get any closer than that,” down the Thames to race…by rowing an 18-tonne barge up the said Michael, a PLA diver. ‘“And this year’s Ramsgate, across the Thames. going to be much more difficult. Every English Channel and The port authority crew will use 30 foot barge crew will be out to stop us.” along the French coast to Le Havre, oars to push the Blackwall through seven The event, on July 5, will be the then into the Seine as miles of water between Greenwich and Transport on Water Association’s 34th far as the Pont D'Lena Westminster. Barge Driving Match. near the Eiffel Tower. Both boats had six Last year, Michael’s crew – Mark Each contest is designed to showcase rowers and a cox, but Towens, Darren Knight, Billy Ruler, and the skills of watermen and lightermen. each was crewed by a Craig Restrick – took first place after The teams are only allowed to navigate squad of 10 who took turns with the oars starting the match at the back of the field. the craft using their own strength and the over 10 timed stages. They powered past rival barges, rowing power of the tide. Langstone Cutters in shifts of two at a time, to challenge Michael said: “This event is particularly finished in 95 hours, Thames Clippers’ barge, Balmoral, for difficult because we can’t really practice 16 minutes; Le Figarow in 104 hours, top slot. for it. Rowing 18-tonne barges up and 15 minutes. In a hard-fought sprint to the finish, down the Thames during a normal the Port of London Authority team beat weekday can be a bit of a problem.”

Key Events Summer 2008

16 June Admiral of the Westminster www.traditionalrowing.com French President Nicolas S Port’s Challenge and his wife, Carla, left th 28 June Richmond Amateur Richmond www.richmond-regatta.org and took the river during Regatta visit to the UK in March. T 5 July TOW Barge Match Greenwich to Westminster www.portoflondon.co.uk boarded a Thames Clipper 5 & 6 July Gravesend Town Gravesend Riverside town.regatta.users.btopenworld.com Savoy Pier and sailed to Regatta Greenwich to honour 5 & 6 July Gravesham Grand Gravesend Riverside www.portoflondon.co.uk yachtswoman Dame Ellen Prix MacArthur. Mrs Sarkozy st 12 July Thames Sailing Gravesend to the www.thamesmatch.co.uk to chat with chief harbour Barge Match Thames Estuary master David Snelson, and 15 July Port of London HQS Wellington, www.traditionalrowing.com Clippers bosses Alan Wood Challenge Central London and Sean Collins before th 17 July Lords and Commons Lambeth to Westminster www.portoflondon.co.uk trip (pictured). But the Rowing Race Sarkozys ditched protocol the rest of the journey, op 20 July Dartford Bridge Gravesend to Dartford town.regatta.users.btopenworld.com Mixed Race for a ‘quiet’ cuddle on the the boat instead (inset). 22 July Doggetts Coat and Central London www.watermenshall.org Badge Race

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New Base for Super Ships

Developers have been given the for more than 100 years. green light to start building a new London Gateway’s owners, Thames base for the world’s DP World, are pumping more than biggest container ships. £1.5 billion into the development, London Gateway was granted a making it the most automated Harbour Empowerment Order by and efficient port facility in shipping minister Jim Fitzpatrick the country. in May. The 1,850 acre brownfield site Work on the major deep sea at Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, will terminal – the UK’s first for 25 also house Europe’s largest years – is now expected to start logistics park. later this year. Describing the Government’s River’s Secret The Gateway will make London decision as ‘historic’ for the the UK’s biggest port by boosting Seahorses the river’s annual cargo handling shipping industry and economy, capacity by 3.5 million containers Simon Moore, London Gateway’s Colonies of rare seahorses are (twenty foot equivalent units), and chief executive, said: “We will get thriving in the port’s busiest creating around 12,000 jobs. the biggest ships in the world as shipping lanes. rivals by just 0.02 It will be the biggest close as we can to the UK’s largest The short-snouted development in the Port of London consumer market.” Hippocampus hippocampus – y closer than that,” normally found around the diver. ‘“And this year’s Canary Islands – is alive and ore difficult. Every well off Dagenham, Tilbury, and ut to stop us.” Southend. y 5, will be the Experts from the Zoological Association’s 34th Society of London discovered . the species more than a year signed to showcase ago. But they kept quiet until en and lightermen. April, when new laws to protect allowed to navigate the creatures came into force. own strength and the The society’s marine and freshwater conservation s event is particularly programme manager, Alison can’t really practice Shaw, said: “These amazing nne barges up and creatures have been found in uring a normal the Thames on a number of t of a problem.” occasions in the last 18 months during our regular wildlife monitoring work. tionalrowing.com French President Nicolas Sarkozy “Their discovery and his wife, Carla, left the road demonstrates that the Thames mond-regatta.org and took the river during a state is becoming a sustainable visit to the UK in March. The VIPs flondon.co.uk boarded a Thames Clipper at biodiverse habitat for aquatic a.users.btopenworld.com Savoy Pier and sailed to life. Greenwich to honour “It’s not clear how endangered yachtswoman Dame Ellen flondon.co.uk short-snouted seahorses are MacArthur. Mrs Sarkozy stopped esmatch.co.uk to chat with chief harbour because there is little data master David Snelson, and known, particularly in the UK, ionalrowing.com Clippers bosses Alan Woods so every scrap of information is and Sean Collins before the valuable. flondon.co.uk trip (pictured). But the Sarkozys ditched protocol for “Now they’re protected, the rest of the journey, opting a.users.btopenworld.com conservationists are more for a ‘quiet’ cuddle on the back of the boat instead (inset). relaxed about telling the world menshall.org they are here.” Tidal Thames4.qxd 6/20/08 4:45 PM Page 6

Signs of the Times River News

John’s up

The river’s haven mas

Cement giant Lafarge is new piece of kit to pa phasing out production shallow creeks of the at its Northfleet riverside Thames. plant and shipping John Window is usi supplies through the site instead. The Port of London Authority has become an obstruction that vessels can customised 5.25 metr The company says it’s enhanced river safety at Richmond Lock only pass by using Richmond Lock. to navigate the shoals making the move banks around Canvey because chalk – one of and Weir by installing new electronic Older river signs carried a fixed the main raw materials message boards. message warning of the closure and The vessel, Easthav for cement – is almost The signs, computer linked to the lock advising boaters to divert. The new ones, in just 30cm of water exhausted in the area. office, allow PLA staff to send navigation however, can be programmed with a 40hp Yamaha outboar Lafarge has ploughed more than £90 million instructions direct to boaters. variety of operational and safety of speeds of up to 20 into its supply chain in The weir has three 32 ton sluice gates instructions in addition to the standard carries additional resc the South-East because it which are closed for around four hours warning. equipment including could see the chalk life raft. shortage coming. either side of low water. This ensures the The port authority’s electrical systems Part of that Thames stays deep enough for boats to engineer Dave Fallows said: “The new “It gives me access investment went into navigate between Richmond and signs are lit by LED, which means they that can’t be reached developing two cement conventional harbour import terminals on the Teddington. can be seen from further away, and from Thames – one at the But when the gates are closed, they a wider angle.” patrol boats,” said Joh Northfleet site and the is crucial for the futu other in West Thurrock. management of these The company is also Port authority pilots considering proposals for John Reid and Mark creeks.” a new aggregates Duhig guide a John uses the £32,0 terminal at the Kent luxury liner Powercat to check mo through the works. liaise with commercia Dave Dawson, Thames Barrier manager at Northfleet, during its first visit pleasure boaters, and said: “We’ll gradually to central London. guidance. The 180-metre-long transfer from The craft – officially manufacturing cement at Azamara Journey – the works to despatching which boasts 42 Castle Point Mayor, Co it via the import suites and 311 Beverley Egan in Apri terminal.” staterooms – spent the creeks at Pitsea, H Lafarge’s plans for the two nights at Tower rest of the site include Bridge in May after Vange, Benfleet and E developing a mix of sailing from “It’s an incredible a heavy and light Barcelona. The ship in,” said John. will return to the industrial units, creating “There’s heavy indus open green spaces and capital in August. community facilities, and 30 under-10-metre com building new homes. fishing vessels, two yac country park, and stret marsh that have been d

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John’s up the Creeks (without a Paddle)

The river’s haven master has a actually thriving side by side, and new piece of kit to patrol the it’s my job to ensure this remains shallow creeks of the tidal the case.” Thames. John joined the Port of London John Window is using a Authority more than 40 years ion that vessels can customised 5.25 metre catamaran ago, has worked the length and Richmond Lock. to navigate the shoals and mud breadth of the Thames, and has carried a fixed banks around Canvey Island. manned and skippered a variety the closure and The vessel, Easthaven, can float of vessels. divert. The new ones, in just 30cm of water, has twin sites of special scientific interest. He comes from a long line of ogrammed with a 40hp Yamaha outboards capable “On paper, you wouldn’t think watermen, and his sons, Gary al and safety of speeds of up to 20 knots, and these activities and interests and Trevor, both work afloat for tion to the standard carries additional rescue could co-exist, but they’re the authority. equipment including a four-man y’s electrical systems life raft. ws said: “The new “It gives me access to waters which means they that can’t be reached by more Time and Tide rther away, and from conventional harbour service Lottery bosses have poured fascinating heritage that is patrol boats,” said John. “And this nearly half a million pounds contained within, and is crucial for the future into London’s longest threatened by, the River management of these south Essex Port authority pilots archaeological site – the Thames.” John Reid and Mark creeks.” Thames. The programme’s organisers, Duhig guide a John uses the £32,000 They’re supporting a three-year the Thames Estuary Partnership luxury liner Powercat to check moorings, through the project to study the river’s and the Thames Explorer Trust, Thames Barrier liaise with commercial and historically rich shoreline before will also set up a travelling during its first visit pleasure boaters, and give safety its archaeology is washed away. exhibition that will visit London to central London. guidance. The 180-metre-long The Thames Discovery museums to display the Azamara Journey – The craft – officially named by Programme will recruit artefacts found. which boasts 42 Castle Point Mayor, Councillor volunteers to survey the river Jill Goddard, executive director suites and 311 Beverley Egan in April – patrols foreshore. They’ll be asked to at the Thames Estuary staterooms – spent the creeks at Pitsea, Holehaven, two nights at Tower monitor 20 special sites, run Partnership said: “The river Bridge in May after Vange, Benfleet and Easthaven. community events, set up a remains a largely unrealised sailing from “It’s an incredible area to work website, and hold an annual historical resource – we don’t Barcelona. The ship in,” said John. will return to the forum to discuss their findings. even have an accurate map capital in August. “There’s heavy industry, a fleet of Sue Bowers, London manager of of its archaeological sites. 30 under-10-metre commercial the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: This project, with the public’s fishing vessels, two yacht clubs, a “This is an exciting opportunity support, will help change country park, and stretches of for Londoners to uncover the all that.” marsh that have been designated as Tidal Thames4.qxd 6/20/08 4:46 PM Page 8

Tidal Thames: Home to ind

weeping new laws to country has attempted such a Organisation or MMO. Marine Management O simplify the way the groundbreaking, comprehensive The Bill would also create local will work with represe sea’s managed could approach to the enormously marine plans, blueprints that map from several Whitehal stretch as far inland as complex issue of marine the sea’s habitats, natural departments includin west London. The environment management. resources, and its present and local government, bus Government’s draft “Our seas are important. They potential uses. These would guide and environment. Marine Bill, published provide food, transport, other licensing bodies – like local Mr Shaw said: “The in April, plans to recreation, relaxation and or harbour authorities – when a ‘one-stop shop’, mak follow the tide up the Thames to inspiration. The UK has one of the they’re making decisions on work and balanced decision Teddington Lock. richest marine environments in in their waters. promote the sustainab If approved by Parliament, the the world, with more than 8,000 “Our proposals will transform our seas.” legislation would apply to 400 recorded species. Protecting the marine planning and protection,” The minister also re square miles of Port of London sea must, therefore, be a high said Mr Shaw. docks and terminals a waters. The Bill’s authors say the priority.” “Industry and tourism will Thames that moves to laws have been created to head-off Controlling benefit from efficiency savings whole coastline to the potential clashes between wildlife and licensing under the new streamlined won’t clash with busin and human activities as they the way licensing system; and from the “We have always int compete for space in the country’s England uses increased certainty that marine the plans will be flexib increasingly busy seas and its seas and planning will bring.” to avoid significant im estuaries. Without it, the estuaries To balance the needs of the people’s property or l Government predicts that industry currently falls natural world with commerce he said. as diverse as shipping, wind farm to a variety of and the economy, the “So generally the ro construction, fishing, dredging, government inland to skirt round c and leisure will suffer; and some departments and docks and there will b of the sea’s natural resources agencies. But the inappropriate access t could be seriously damaged or draft legislation areas.” lost forever. intends to shift these The draft Bill is now Marine and fisheries minister, powers to a single scrutinised by a comm Jonathan Shaw, told Tidal Thames: Marine and expert witnesses “This Bill is a world first. No other Management depending on their fin

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Tidal Thames: Home to industry, wildlife, and recreation

or MMO. Marine Management Organisation be modified before it’s introduced ould also create local will work with representatives to Parliament. , blueprints that map from several Whitehall Mr Shaw expects the Bill to be itats, natural departments including transport, enacted in the summer of 2009, d its present and local government, business, sport, with some measures, like the s. These would guide and environment. freshwater and migratory ng bodies – like local Mr Shaw said: “The MMO will be fisheries licensing proposals, uthorities – when a ‘one-stop shop’, making holistic coming into force a few months ng decisions on work and balanced decisions that after that. rs. promote the sustainable use of The rest of the proposed osals will transform our seas.” measures, including the creation ing and protection,” The minister also reassured of the Marine Management . docks and terminals along the Organisation, would be and tourism will Thames that moves to open the implemented one to two years efficiency savings whole coastline to the public later. w streamlined won’t clash with business. He said: “Without a Marine Bill tem; and from the “We have always intended that we risk severe, long-term damage tainty that marine the plans will be flexible enough and reduced sustainability of our bring.” to avoid significant impacts on valuable marine ecosystems. If we This is a e the needs of the people’s property or livelihoods,” do not act now, we are likely to orld with commerce he said. require more severe restrictions world first e economy, the “So generally the route will go in future with consequently Jonathan Shaw, Marine Minister inland to skirt round commercial higher costs. docks and there will be no “We all stand to gain from the inappropriate access to these Bill. It will bring better coastal areas.” access, streamlined regulation, The draft Bill is now being better protection for marine scrutinised by a committee of MPs wildlife, and integrated planning and expert witnesses and, and management of our seas, depending on their findings, may coasts and estuaries.” Tidal Thames4.qxd 6/20/08 4:46 PM Page 10

olice have refitted a “This boat’s transformed the way prototype lifeboat to we work. spearhead their fight “We cover 250 nautical miles of against marine crime. coastline running from Dartford, The Princess through the Thames Estuary, round Alexandra III began North Foreland, and down to the official duties on the Thames in May after a year of overhaul and preparation for its new role. The beefed-up boat can now carry a full firearms team for specialist boarding operations. And its survivors’ cabin, originally designed to house casualties plucked from the water, has been converted into a berthing area which doubles as a custody suite. The Alexandra was built in 1999 as a Royal National Lifeboat Institution experiment. Its design Alexandra III will went on to become the blueprint be a virtual floating for the cutting-edge Tamar class police station rescue boats. Kent Police Authority paid just Michael Fuller, Kent Chief Constable £150,000 for the launch which would normally carry a £2million price tag. Sussex border. Until now, we’ve Sergeant Mark Wigston, the boat’s patrolled this area with two rigid skipper, said: “The outer hull inflatable boats (RIBs). design and engines have stayed “The RIBs are great, very fast and the same but a lot of the boat’s manoeuvrable, but they’re open to electronics systems had been the elements and the crew is pretty experimental, so we had to exposed in bad weather or during replace them.” prolonged operations. A team of police contractors “The Alexandra, however, is an did the bulk of rewiring and all-weather craft; it keeps us out of refurbishment in just eight the elements so that we can get on months. But they kept some key with our job.” along the side. Gateway and wider ma lifeboat specs. The boat’s twin Caterpillar Kent’s Chief Constable Michael community.” The boat’s retained its self- 1,000hp engines produce speeds of Fuller believes its distinctive look News of the unique cr righting capabilities, making up to 27 knots and give the 33 will keep crooks off the river. spread beyond UK sho capsize virtually impossible. tonne, 16 metre vessel a range of “The sheer size and dominance and Belgian police chi And the police have also kept the 250 nautical miles. of the launch on the water will be Port of London Autho advanced ergonomic wheelhouse Its fibre reinforced plastic shell a massive deterrent to criminals,” Terrace Pier in Graves seats, specially designed to protect has been stripped of its trademark he said. month (May) for Alexa the crew as the Alexandra ploughs ‘lifeboat’ orange and painted police “The Alexandra III will be a naming ceremony. An through the waves. grey with a high visibility blue and virtual floating police station that police from the Genda Helmsman PC Andy Hatfield said: yellow ‘Battenberg’ checked stripe patrols the expanding Thames Maritime sent their pa

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A Tamar lifeboat in RNLI colours

e. Gateway and wider maritime Scarpe to the event. the Alexandra, said: “This boat f Constable Michael community.” The boat naming marked the end represents three years of planning. s its distinctive look News of the unique craft has already of an extensive hunt for a suitable “We’ve come a long way since oks off the river. spread beyond UK shores. Dutch craft to patrol Kent’s waters. The 1830 when our first marine police size and dominance and Belgian police chiefs were at the county’s last sea-going police vessel officers took to the Thames in a on the water will be Port of London Authority’s Royal was sold in 1995. rowing boat.” errent to criminals,” Terrace Pier in Gravesend last In 2005 officers came close to Ann Barnes, Chair of the Kent month (May) for Alexandra’s official buying an Arun class lifeboat, but Police Authority, added: “We’re ndra III will be a naming ceremony. And French they lost out on the bidding. committed to preventing ng police station that police from the Gendarmerie Kent Marine Unit’s Superintendent waterborne criminality – and now xpanding Thames Maritime sent their patrol launch FS Andrew Lyttle, who led the hunt for we have just the tool to do it.” Tidal Thames4.qxd 6/20/08 4:46 PM Page 12

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Only 422 rungs to go,” laughs Andy Bentley as he rattles up the mast, his safety harness rapping against the ladder. Below him the river shrinks away, flickering in the broken sunshine. Above, the radar tower soars dizzyingly skywards, scratching at the scudding clouds. It’s a huge job He’s halfway to the top. A sweat’s beginning to break out and a 24 hour under his safety helmet, his responsibility

breath’s just starting to burn in Andy Bentley his chest. By profession, Andy’s a specialist in electronic engineering. But, unlike others in his line of work, he’s also trained to tackle turbines in offshore Andy’s one of eight Port of would dry up, and Thames AIS windfarms, enter electricity London Authority navigation satellite navigation would suffer. substations, and climb radar technical support engineers Shipping, patrol boats, masts higher than Nelson’s whose work is crucial to the passenger craft, yachts, and Column. Thames and its 15 radar systems, power boats would ultimately When he leaves home in the 14 VHF base stations, 14 live tidal lose vital communication with morning, he’s not just hauling his telemetry gauges, five London’s Vessel Traffic Services tools. He’s carrying special transponder base stations, nine officers, compromising safety in protection equipment as well: vessel traffic services cameras, Britain’s third biggest port. wetsuits, drysuits, high visibility and two port control centres. “It’s a huge job,” says Andy as clothing, harnesses, lifejackets, Without regular maintenance, he steps onto the radar platform and a selection of hard hats repair and upgrade, the river’s at the top of the tower. “And it’s a and helmets. radar network would collapse, 24 hour responsibility. radio would go silent, port CCTV “We’re on call round the clock, would fizzle out, tidal readings in all conditions – it’s a sad fact

continued overleaf Tidal Thames4.qxd 6/20/08 4:46 PM Page 14

of life that things don’t only go by Vessel Traffic Services officers electronic data every second, systems. But these un wrong during working hours, or in port control centres at which is processed by the PLA’s disruptions are a prob when the weather’s fine. Gravesend and the Thames Barrier. powerful radar and port tracking “We had one inciden “We often have to come up with They rely on a web of unseen systems, and by individual quality of a communic the answers to technical problems signals arching over the Thames. VHF/transponder sets on boats. near Woolwich got pro while we’re scrambling to remote But booming building work in worse over a few week sites in the middle of the night. It the Thames corridor, from wind “The team went thro can be a bit of a challenge.” turbines to high rise apartments, system with a fine-too From the top of the tower, Andy “ If our pilots are can punch a hole in the web and we couldn’t find a tec can see the vast sweep of the river. bringing in a ship the size disrupt the signals as they bounce for it. To the east, the Thames tapers of a block of flats, with only between base and relay stations. “Then one day, an e in from the sea, fed by glittering And, because developers aren’t driving near Woolwich creeks, and dotted with ships. 4ft of water – the height of obliged to consult the PLA, the developers building a To the west, it cuts a narrow a shopping trolley – Authority isn’t always aware that apartments well away canyon through the glass and steel underneath them, they its coverage could be impaired, river. As the block wa cliffs of London’s office blocks. until it happens. gradually higher, it wa It’s a watery gateway to England. need to know that the live As a result, the navigation blotting out signals be Each year 53 million tonnes of tidal depth readings we systems department faces an our relay stations. cargo enter or leave its limits; two give are up-to-date and ongoing challenge to deal with “If we know this typ million tonnes of goods pass reliable both the planned and unexpected proposed, we can ofte between its 70 wharves and building work. the signal around the terminals; and 5.6 million ” Garry Shaw, who heads the some cases, nobody t passengers travel across or along department, says: “We have back- inform us.” its waters. This web carries millions of up systems. In fact most of our From their worksho All this activity is watched over pieces of radar, satellite, VHF and back-up systems have back-up Gravesend, Kent, the e

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systems. But these unannounced despatched to sites and vessels disruptions are a problem. along 96 miles of tidal Thames. “We had one incident where the In addition to large scale quality of a communications link projects and systems, like vessel near Woolwich got progressively traffic signalling on the Thames worse over a few weeks. Barrier or the fog lights at Barking “The team went through the Barrier, they’re also responsible system with a fine-tooth comb, but for maintaining and designing we couldn’t find a technical reason equipment for the PLA’s for it. entire fleet. “Then one day, an engineer, Garry says: “Accuracy and a driving near Woolwich, saw constant flow of data is vital to developers building a block of the safety and environment of apartments well away from the the Thames. river. As the block was getting “If our pilots are bringing in a gradually higher, it was slowly ship the size of a block of flats, blotting out signals between two of with only 4ft of water – the height our relay stations. of a shopping trolley – underneath “If we know this type of work is them, they need to know that the proposed, we can often deflect live tidal depth readings we give the signal around the site. But in are up-to-date and reliable. some cases, nobody thinks to “The Port of London is worth inform us.” £3.4 billion to the economy each From their workshop in year, it’s our job to help ensure it Gravesend, Kent, the engineers are runs safely.” Tidal Thames4.qxd 6/20/08 4:46 PM Page 16

Thames Team

Port of London Authority, lifeboat, and coastguard crews swapped their patrol launches, ships and rescue craft during the spring… for yachts. The blue light brigade – along with shipping company Maersk, helicopter manufacturers CHC, and the Association of Sea Training Organisations – was put through its paces during a week of sail challenges on the Solent. The events in April – organised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) – included search and rescue, racing, and chart and map reading exercises. Peter Cardy, the MCA’s chief executive said the agency has run the sessions for the last five years to forge stronger links with sister organisations. “There is little doubt that it’s helped to cement relations between us and our partners,” he said. The Port of London Authority’s team was drawn from its pilotage, port control, marine engineering, hydrographic, and legal departments.