Live Tides
NOTICES TO MARINERS
Charts & Surveys
Incident reporting
Life-threatening emergencies on the river:
Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
For near miss, safety observations and incident reporting click below
Water safety
Our commitment to drowning prevention
Stay Back, Stay Out, Stay Safe - Don’t Mess With the River Thames Campaign
The River Thames may look calm, but beneath its surface lies a powerful tide that can overwhelm even the strongest swimmers.
To help prevent accidental drownings involving children and young people, the Port of London Authority (PLA) is launching a summer safety campaign.
The centrepiece is an awareness film titled ”Stay Back, Stay Out, Stay Safe - Don’t Mess With the River Thames”.
We have compiled this resource pack to make it as straight-forward as possible to get involved. It includes: social media assets, multi-language communications and posters available for print.
Drowning Prevention Resources
Where to find advice and guidance.
Water safety advice from Royal Life Saving Society UK
Find out how to keep you and your loved ones safe with the RNLI.
We are supportive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s plan to implement measures to make older domestic passenger vessels safer.
Suicide Prevention Resources
Where to find advice and guidance.
Learn more about the Bridge Watch Programme which aims to provide a 'physical presence' of teams of volunteers that will 'patrol' the areas on and around the bridges of London.
Advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
Did you know a little small talk can be all it takes to interrupt someone's suicidal thoughts?
More than 12 people a week take their own life in London. Would you know what to say?
We are committed to reducing the number of people who drown in the tidal Thames, either accidentally or through suicide.
As a founder member of the Tidal Thames Water Safety Forum, we work with HM Coastguard, RNLI, London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police (Marine Policing Unit), London Ambulance Service, City of London Corporation, Transport for London, and City of London Police in London.
We are also a member of water safety partnerships in Kent and in Essex.
Together, we are working to make the river a safe place for all users.
Four-year progress report
Tidal Thames Water Safety Forum
Publications
The Drowning Prevention Strategy for the tidal Thames sets out practical steps to be taken to improve waterside safety for people close to the river.
Building the right safety infrastructure can reduce the pressure on the emergency services and ultimately save lives.
Whether you are living by the Thames or visiting to enjoy the view, we urge you to read this guidance on how to enjoy the river safely.
If an event is proposed on land adjoining the River Thames it is important to consider how the people that are organising and attending the event can stay safe near the water.
Two years from the launch of the Tidal Thames Water Safety Forum, this report provides information on our progress with delivering the strategy.
Strategy launch
May 2019
A partnership of London agencies came together in May 2019 to launch the Drowning Prevention Strategy. Backed by the then HRH Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, who spoke at the launch.
Time to Talk
February 2021
Simply talking can be a lifeline for people. Our new video, produced to mark #TimetoTalkDay, aims to get the nation discussing mental health, particularly in the ongoing pandemic.
