Motor boating

We strongly advise all vessels to carry VHF, though VHF is only required for vessels above 13.7m.

(NB: Exemptions exist for vessels travelling in a flotilla or convoy above Greenwich. See the PLA General Directions)

You should monitor VHF Channel 14 when between Teddington, through central London to Dagenham (Crayfordness). Below here, monitor Channel 68 until Southend Pier where Channel 69 then takes over.

If there is no VHF radio on board,  the person in charge of navigation of the vessel should report to the London Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) by telephone (0208 855 0315 west of Dagenham, 01474 562215 east of Dagenham) prior to entering the tidal Thames.

Most chandleries sell VHF handsets, along with the ‘Ship Portable Radio Licence’ required for a VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Handset. Contact your local chandlery for more advice on this.

If coming from the non-tidal Thames, Lindon Lewis Marine at Shepperton offer a VHF rental service. They can also supply river user guides and help with passage planning. (Lindon Lewis Marine - Whaly Boats, Servicing, Repairs & Chandlery)

Note: An RYA ‘Short Range Certificate’ (SRC) is the minimum requirement to use a VHF or VHF DSC radio (unless It is an emergency situation when anyone may use the radio to call for help) as well as appropriate licenses from OfCom. Contact OfCom and the RYA for more information.

• check your engine is running satisfactorily
• check you have sufficient fuel, oil and water for the passage
• check your bilge pumps operate correctly
• check the stern gland greaser is topped up and operates correctly
• check there is nothing wrapped around the propeller
• check the weed hatch is securely fastened down
• check the horn is working correctly
• check the steering is working correctly
• check your anchor is correctly attached and ready to deploy (See equipment section below)
• on a narrowboat, ensure all outer doors are secured
• when travelling during the hours of darkness, ensure that navigation lights are working correctly
• for applicable vessels ensure that a kill cord is worn at all times

Contact “London VTS” (Vessel Traffic Service. See contacts below) with:

• The name of your boat
• where you are entering the tidal Thames and your destination
• the time you expect to be on your way
• the number of people on board

VTS can pass any pertinent navigational information to you too, such as river closures or bridge arch closures. They are likely to advise you on the arch through which you should navigate.

Always be aware of traffic moving up and down the river and enter the tidal Thames only when safe to do so.

Through central London, the majority of bridges have multiple arches to choose from. You should use the arch which is furthest to the starboard side, where depth and height allow. 2 orange lights side-by-side mark aches which lie within the navigable channel – these, particularly the centre arches, are used by commercial vessels. You can still use these arches provided you remain on the starboard side of the river and you don’t impede commercial vessels.

Watch out for a white flashing light on the bridges. If it flashes, you MUST NOT USE THAT ARCH due to large craft or tugs approaching that arch. You must keep out of their way. They are restricted in their manoeuvrability due to their size, weight and the bridge arches.

Bow Lock

Bow Lock is owned by Canal and River Trust (CRT), which must be booked 24 hours in advance. Availability is restricted to two hours either side of high water at London Bridge between 5.00am and 10.00pm. To book the lock, call 0303 040 4040 or emailing CRT’s customer service team. You can also book online.

Limehouse Lock

Limehouse Lock is operated by Aquavista and is not available for around two hours either side of low water at London Bridge. In the summer (1 April to 30 September): the lock is open between 8.00am to 6.00pm. It’s also possible to use the lock from 5.00am and to 10.00pm if it is booked 24 hours in advance. In the winter (1 October to 31 March): the lock is open between 8.00am to 4.00pm. It’s also possible to use the lock from 5.00am and to 10.00pm if it is booked 24 hours in advance. To book the lock, you need to call Aquavista, formerly known as British Waterways Marinas, in advance on 020 7308 9930.

St. Katharine Docks

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West India Dock Entrance

West India Lock is owned by Canal and River Trust (CRT), which must be booked in advance. Availability is restricted to one hour either side of high water at London Bridge (minus approximately 20 minutes) between 7.00am to 4.30pm. Only where you have a confirmed berth or booked visitor mooring is there no charge. Plus, you’ll need  full salvage cover / wreck removal insurance to enter West India Dock. To book the lock, call West India Marine Control on 0303 040 4040 or emailing CRT’s customer service team. You can also book online.

River traffic in central London can get very busy, particularly at peak times in the summer months. The areas around the Tower of London and Westminster / London Eye are especially busy, due to crossing vessels and sight-seeing passenger vessels.

Avoid impeding commercial craft wherever possible. They can be difficult to manoeuvre, take a long time to stop and may be confined to a small part of the river where there is just enough water for them.

Take particular caution when near vessels navigating with the tide behind them. This makes the steering and stopping of large vessels more difficult than normal.  If you are navigating against the tide, be prepared to stop or give way to vessels coming the other way.

There are some visitor moorings available on the tidal Thames. Yacht clubs, cruising clubs and marinas may be able to offer some moorings, but they are in high demand and must be booked in advance.

You must obtain permission from the berth or mooring owner before using any facility.

See our Visitor Moorings page.

The tidal Thames is categorised by the MCA (Maritime Coastguard Agency) as a ‘Category C’ waterway down as far as Gravesend. This means that you can expect wave heights of 1.2m, so it is important to ensure your vessel and the equipment it carries is up to the task. (This increases to ‘Category D’ downriver of Gravesend.)

We recommend the following equipment when navigating on the tidal Thames:

• lifejackets: approved by MCA or under the Marine Equipment Directive (MED), or should comply with BS EN 396: Lifejackets and personal buoyancy aid of 150N, or BS/EN 399: Lifejackets and personal buoyancy aids of 275N
• a VHF set (mandatory for some vessels)
• mobile phone (in a waterproof pouch) and kept on your person at all times
• water resistant torch
• boat hook
• appropriate first aid kit
• navigation lights
• ropes for mooring the vessel and for towing minimum of one 12kg anchor, attached to a designated strongpoint by 5 metres of 6mm short link chain and 25m of 12mm rope.

Additional information from the RYA:

• Tips for cruisers
• Tips for anchoring

An AIS transponder (Automatic Identification System) is of great benefit. An AIS transceiver can assist small vessel crews in the early detection of ships, as well as showing names, call signs, speeds and headings of vessels in the locality to improve situational awareness.

For some vessels, particularly narrow boats or boats that were designed for canals and non-tidal rivers, the distance between the water and vents, hatches or drains may be quite small. Safety Bulletin No.1 of 2012 was published following an incident where there was inadequate freeboard or safety clearance.

The recommendations are as follows:

1. The tidal Thames is classified as Category C waterway, where wave heights of up to 1.2m may be encountered.  Vessels should be suitably prepared to meet these conditions.
2. Through hull fittings, vents and exhaust outlets should be positioned as high up as practicable on narrowboats to meet the conditions likely to be encountered. Where through hull fittings, vents and exhaust outlets cannot be moved to a safe location consideration should be given as to whether the vessel is suitable to navigate on the tidal Thames.
3. Where modifications have been made, such as the extensive use of double plating, it is important to check sufficient safety clearance remains for the vessel to safely navigate.
4. Lifejackets and other safety equipment should always be provided on board vessels navigating on the tidal Thames and it is strongly recommended that lifejackets are worn at all times when on deck.

It is important to ensure that the engine and controls of the vessel are in a good state of repair. Following a series of easily available incidents where mechanical breakdowns were the cause, the PLA published Safety Bulletin No.3 of 2014.

Although there is not a legal requirement for the person in charge of a recreational craft or ‘pleasure vessel’ to have a formal qualification, the tidal Thames is not for novice or inexperienced people. A good degree of boating knowledge and experience is needed before venturing on to this complex and challenging river.

The RYA has a wide range of courses which assist boat users to become safe and proficient.

Note:

• vessels that are hired or chartered are not considered to be pleasure vessels.
• a vessel carrying more than 12 passengers is not classed as a pleasure vessel, but would come under the definition of a ‘passenger vessel’. The vessel and the skipper would then require appropriate licences from the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA). Contact your local MCA office for further details.