Port of London Authority successfully prosecutes Master of the “Emerald of London” vessel which struck Hammersmith Bridge on 10 December 2023

Yesterday, 26 September 2024, at Westminster Magistrates Court, Daniel Davis, the Master of the vessel Emerald of London, was found fully culpable of navigating the vessel into Hammersmith Bridge.

With more than 100 passengers onboard travelling to attend a match at Fulham Football Club, the Emerald of London struck the underside of Hammersmith Bridge. Due to a combination of high tide and river water, there was insufficient clearance for the vessel to navigate safely under the bridge – something that Mr Davis should have anticipated and planned for.

Having previously made a partial admission of guilt to the charge of navigating the vessel “in a manner liable to injure or endanger persons, other vessels, the banks of the Thames (whether above or below mean high water level) or any structure or installation in or beside the Thames” under section 108(b) of the Port of London Act 1968 (as Amended), Mr Davis was fined £1,900 (reduced to £1,500 in light of his previous good character) and ordered to pay the Port of London Authority’s costs of £10,000 (reduced from £12,800).

Port of London Authority (PLA) Chief Harbour Master James Stride said: 

“With 100 people onboard, this had the potential to be a far more serious incident.

“Thankfully, no one was injured but the standard of Mr Davis’s navigation of his vessel fell significantly below the high standards we set for navigational safety on the tidal Thames. We will continue to take action against Masters who demonstrate insufficient care and attention on the river.

“I would like to thank the vessel’s owners, London Party Boats, for their co-operation with our investigation as well as the other agencies for their support.”

Notes to editors:

PORT OF LONDON ACT 1968 (as amended) - https://pla.co.uk/port-london-act