Our newest recruits, (L-R) Fraser Matthew, David Shaw, Carmelo Giannone, and Robert Hoyland, bring extensive maritime experience from a range of backgrounds within the shipping industry. As they progress through their intensive training, they will refine the skills required to safely guide vessels through the river’s busy and often demanding waters.

Fraser Matthew – Kirkcaldy, Fife

Fraser has spent the last 19 years at sea, beginning his career on cruise ships as a Cadet and Junior Officer before moving to ro-ro passenger ferries around the UK coast. Over the past decade, he has served as Chief Officer and Master on routes across the Irish Sea, the Scottish Islands, and most recently the English Channel between Dover and Calais.

Fraser pursued a career at sea because he wanted to drive ships, finding it both the most challenging and rewarding aspect of the job. Becoming a PLA Pilot offers him the opportunity to handle a wide variety of vessels on one of the world’s most famous waterways. He is looking forward to working with and learning from a team with diverse sea-going and non-seagoing backgrounds—though he certainly won’t miss battling against South-Westerly gales!

David Shaw – Falmouth, Cornwall

David began his maritime career at 17, joining the Royal Navy as a Rating in 2001 before transitioning to the Merchant Navy in 2005 as a Deck Cadet. He initially worked on container ships and bulk carriers before gaining experience on dredgers and anchor handlers. He later moved into the passenger sector, working with Saga Cruises from 2011 to 2016, followed by Thomson Cruises (later Marella Cruises) from 2016 to 2024, leaving as Staff Captain in January 2024. Since then, he has served as Mate at Red Funnel Ferries in Southampton.

David was drawn to the PLA for its diverse port operations and the challenge of handling different vessels. He was also motivated by the trust port’s purpose-driven approach, which aligns with his values. After 23 years at sea, he is eager to settle down and spend more time with family while taking on a role that demands adaptability and quick thinking.

Carmelo Giannone – Sicily, Italy

Carmelo began his career with Costa Cruises in 2012, progressing from Cadet Officer to First Officer during his 11-year tenure. He then served as First Officer on Princess Cruises.

Passionate about ship handling, Carmelo is eager to apply his maritime experience in a new, challenging environment. He looks forward to manoeuvring different types of vessels and expanding his skill set on the River Thames.

Robert Hoyland – Sheffield, Yorkshire

Robert spent four years as a Navigation Officer on 90m general cargo vessels before serving as Chief Officer on the same vessels for over two years. In August 2024, he achieved his Master’s Unlimited license.

Robert has always viewed pilots as some of the most skilled and professional individuals in the maritime industry. With a passion for ship handling and close-quarters navigation, he is eager to develop his expertise on the River Thames and become an expert in its challenging waters.

Class 3 PLA Pilot David Barnett was recently overcarried to Rotterdam

So, the process is actually very straight forward, the Pilot Coordinator phoned me to allocate the job to me three hours before I needed to be on board.  The weather was not looking pretty, so they asked if I would mind being overcarried to Rotterdam as all the Pilot Stations were offline, meaning they were not serving ships.

The reason the ship could not be served at our Pilot Stations was the large seas and high winds and Dover, which is usually the backup option in difficult conditions, was also offline due to the dangerous prevailing conditions.

Knowing that this was near to Christmas and it being a feeder container ship, I can understand the commercial pressure on ships’ Masters, crews, and their agents and with this in mind I felt it was part of my job and saw no reason not to go. We, the pilot body, are very proud of our service rates, and it is rare that we cannot serve a ship.

To prepare for being overcarried you must pack lightly and most importantly, do not forget your passport! With regards to packing, you cannot use a big bag as you may be departing the ship in a pilot cutter from a different port with different resources. You just do not know how you are getting off, so the less luggage the better. You also have your SeaSafe coat (Pilots inflatable jacket) with you as well as your helmet, so again light packing just makes it an easier journey home.

So, the paramount items are underwear, toothbrush, some comfortable clothes, and my slippers. You definitely need a pair of slippers to see you through the time on board! Then get your phone out and start downloading shows on Netflix, as you know once you clear the phone coverage range, you're not going to have internet.

The other must-haves in the bag are a European adapter for your phone charger, as most ships are 2 pin plugs and of course, bring sweets, I needed them...

I was lucky that it was only a jaunt to Rotterdam, so once I cleared the London district, I remained on the ship’s bridge chatting with the captain and his team before handing over the ship to him. I then phoned my wife to let her know when I would have coverage again in the event she was trying to contact me.

At about 21:00 I was shown to a cabin, made my bunk up, had a shower and watched a movie on my phone before reading my book. You don’t really sleep that well when you’re on a ship that you're not familiar with and with the rolling of the ship (did I mention the weather was grim?) lots of stuff moves in the cabin, so you spend most of the night trying to stop stuff making noise.

At 07:00 Rotterdam time we took a Rotterdam Pilot, so of course I returned to the bridge to chat and see how other districts work. A gentleman of a Pilot boarded, and we chatted throughout, drank very strong espressos (about 4 I think) and once the ship was berthed in the Port, I went for some breakfast on board with the Captain and Crew.

At this stage you are tired but once off the ship I was escorted to immigration to have my passport checked and with that, I was on route to Rotterdam airport.

Rotterdam airport was nice and quick the only issue I had was the SeaSafe coat due to the regulations around compressed gas for traveling. So, once the supervisor had cleared this, I was on the plane and London bound.

Once back at base I was 23 hours away and 23 hours later, I was back on the Thames on another ship - normal service resumed.

I don't mind being overcarried sometimes, the job is what it is. I wouldn’t go as far to say “off on my holidays or anything”, but it is nice to see the other ports and it had been a few years since I was in Rotterdam port. It’s good to see things from a different port's perspective. Although, I think it would have been more enjoyable if it were summer, and the North Sea wasn’t in such a bad mood!

New Year’s Eve on the tidal Thames is one of the busiest and most spectacular nights of the year, with thousands gathering on vessels and along the shores of the river through central London to watch the world-famous fireworks. This year, there were about 90 vessels of varying sizes out to watch, with approximately 10,500 people choosing to ring in 2025 afloat on the Thames and another 75,000 watching from ashore as well as the global audience.

The event is a vibrant celebration with an exciting party atmosphere, but behind the scenes, months of meticulous planning ensure it is ultimately a safe night for all.

On the night, PLA staff manage traffic movements, and are responsible for enforcing the safety zone around the firework launch area. A PLA Harbour Service Launch is positioned on either side of the firework zone to enforce the closure and oversee the safe congregation of vessels. At around 11:45 PM, the PLA lead makes the final call on whether the fireworks can proceed safely from a river perspective. A lot of planning and organisation goes into making New Year's Eve a safe and spectacular night on the river – it’s the crucial months-long detailed planning that helps keep everything running smoothly on the night.  

David said: “I am privileged to work with very experienced and skilled PLA colleagues and river partners – the teamwork and cooperation between us all, and the bringing together of the experience and talent of so many dedicated professionals, is the real secret to a safe NYE on the river.”

The Port of London Authority is calling on communities in Wandsworth, Barking and Dagenham, and Havering to share their ideas and ambitions for the River Thames in their area.  

All responses will be used by the PLA to inform its Tidal Thames Masterplan, which seeks to increase the river’s use for communities, businesses and recreation, as well as enhance its natural environment.

The Tidal Thames Masterplan, once complete, aims to become an essential guide for investment across all the 22 local authority areas along the river’s banks. Aligned with the three core themes of the PLA’s Thames Vision 2050, Trading Thames, Destination Thames and Natural Thames, the consultation results will document the scope for maximising the economic, environmental and social potential of the river at a local level.

Mike Atkins, Senior Planner at the PLA, explained:  

“We’re keen to give local people a chance to voice their opinions to guide future investment decisions that relate to the river in their area. Therefore, we want to encourage people who live in Wandsworth, Barking and Dagenham, and Havering, to consider the Tidal Thames Masterplan and put forward their thoughts and ideas on what should be included. We will also be engaging with the Greater London Authority, the Environment Agency, landowners and river-based businesses.”

The London borough of Wandsworth includes several Safeguarded Wharves, which represent key opportunities for the increased use of the river for water-borne freight, taking lorries off roads and seeing goods moved by river. It also includes the iconic Battersea Power Station, where there is potential for the increased use of the river bus service, as well as sustainability enhancements at the pier. Putney Embankment, which forms a key part of Wandsworth's heritage with regard to river sports and general recreational use of the river, and hosts various internationally important events and activities, will continue to be protected and promoted for river related recreational opportunities. Many other existing piers and structures in the area also have the capability for sustainability enhancements (such as electric charging or other green technologies).

With Barking and Dagenham’s large-scale riverside development at Barking Riverside, there are many opportunities for increased recreational facilities, as well as improved riverside paths and biodiversity enhancements. The borough also comprises a number of Safeguarded Wharves, which, with future investment and support could facilitate the growth of river freight.  

East of Barking & Dagenham lies Havering, which similarly has opportunities for both river-related freight and marine logistics, particularly around Frog Island and Coldharbour Jetty. As one of London’s greenest boroughs, with more than half of the borough designated as Metropolitan Green Belt, there are also opportunities for potential ecological enhancements in various locations, including at Rainham Marshes.

Running until 11 February 2025, the consultation for the Tidal Thames Masterplan in each of the boroughs of Wandsworth, Barking and Dagenham, and Havering, will be open for a period of eight weeks.

Comments on the draft plan can be made via the masterplan website, or sent to: [email protected]

PLA River Works Licenses: Charges and Discounts for Sports Clubs

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has introduced a refreshed approach to how sports clubs on the tidal Thames are charged for River Works Licenses (RWLs). Our new discount structure supports clubs in making the river more accessible for sport and leisure, while keeping costs as low as possible.

About the Port of London Authority

As a trust port, the Port of London Authority (PLA) has no shareholders and operates for the benefit of customers and stakeholders now and in the future. Our operations cover 95 miles of the River Thames, from Teddington to the North Sea. We work to keep commercial and leisure users safe, protect and enhance the environment, and promote the use of the river for trade and travel. 

The PLA receives no government funding and has no shareholders - all income is reinvested in the river. A trust port is defined by the Department of Transport as ‘a valuable asset presently safeguarded by the existing Board, whose duty it is to hand it on in the same or better condition to succeeding generations. This remains the ultimate responsibility of the Board, and future generations remain the ultimate stakeholder.’ 

As the Statutory Harbour Authority, the PLA has a key role to play in providing core safety, environmental and commercial services to a huge range of customers and we seek to do that in the most cost-effective way possible. We also have a duty to maintain our assets in resilient condition, to facilitate a wide range of stakeholders using the river and to enable the port and river to continue to play its role sustainably, long into the future. 

All of this is brought together in Thames Vision 2050, published in 2022, and available on the PLA website.

Active Thames

The PLA is committed to promoting use of the river for sport and, in 2021, established the Active Thames programme as a key part of the Thames Vision. Active Thames supports the development of water sports and walking on the tidal Thames and inland waterways in London, Kent and Essex with the objectives of increasing the sporting offer, supporting the growth and development of the workforce, maximising the use of clubhouses and the Thames path, and improving access and inclusion. There are two employees dedicated to Active Thames, and there are two assistant Harbour Masters who focus on sports events and safe boating.

The organisations working together on Active Thames include; Active Essex, Active Kent & Medway, London Sport, British Rowing, Paddle UK, RYA, Canal & River Trust, Thames Path National Trail and PLA. Find out more at activethames.co.uk 

River Works Licenses

A River Works Licence (RWL) is a permission granted by the Port of London Authority (PLA) for an individual or organisation to place structures (works) on sections of the River Thames registered as PLA property, ensuring there is no unlawful use. The PLA charges a licence fee for a RWL, which compensates for the use of its land and enables the PLA to carry out its obligations and various activities on the river. 

River Works Licenses (RWLs) are necessary for any structure or facility on the river, ensuring safe, environmentally responsible, and commercially viable use of the waterway. Sports clubs are charged significantly less than commercial entities for RWLs, and with our refreshed discount structure, they may receive further reductions to help them thrive.

 The PLA is transitioning to using CPI instead of RPI for sports clubs licences, aligning with the UK Government's decision to adopt CPI as a more accurate and reliable measure of inflation starting in 2030.

Process

Sports clubs wishing to apply to the PLA for consideration or renewal of their discount will need to do so every three years by completing the application form. Applications for the upcoming discount period must be submitted by 31 December 2024, with discounts taking effect from January 2025. 

From January 2025 onwards, clubs are welcome to submit an application at any time of the year. The discount, if applied, will be applied from the next relevant licence fee review date unless agreed otherwise.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has today invested £50,000 into six community projects, including £17,500 for two initiatives supporting citizen scientists to detect pollution in the river and a £13,500 scheme to tackle ‘range anxiety’ for those running electric boats by installing a new river vessel charging point in Hammersmith.

The PLA’s Thames Environment Fund – now in its fourth year – invites community groups and academics to put forward innovative ideas to help protect and improve the River Thames.

Funding of £2,490 will help track eel migration from the Kent Marshes into the River Thames and £9,059 will support the restoration of Deptford Creek.  

The Furnivall Sculling club has been awarded £7,500 to replace two petrol boats with electric boats and add a charging point, helping to cut emissions and support efforts to decarbonise the river.

PLA Director of Sustainability Grace Rawnsley said:

“We want to see a clean, healthy, thriving River Thames. We understand the valuable contribution residents and experts can offer, and we’re committed to supporting innovative projects that will revitalise and enhance the river’s natural environment.”  

The PLA’s Thames Environment Fund is an annual program that has awarded a total of £114,000 to 20 community environmental projects over the last four years.

The PLA has vision for a clean river, free of sewage, waste and other pollution, supporting greater biodiversity and recreational use. As set out in the PLA’s Net Zero River Plan, we aim to decarbonise the River Thames by 2040.

Find out more about the Thames Environment Fund.