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 

The Port of London Authority (PLA) is working with Thames Water (TWUL) to reactivate Middle Wharf following the completion of the Thames Tideway Tunnel scheme and we are seeking written expressions of interest from cargo-handling operators to work towards the wharf’s return to cargo-handling uses.

Middle Wharf is a Safeguarded Wharf in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is owned by TWUL and has been used, together with the adjacent Heathwall Pumping Station site, to construct the Thames Tideway Tunnel Scheme. This work is ongoing and the wharf is not expected to be available for cargo-handling uses until mid-2025, by which time almost 55,000 tonnes of cargo will have be handled from the worksite of which it forms part.

Middle Wharf is one of the best placed wharves in the West London sub-region and it can contribute significantly to the modal shift of cargoes from road to water, consistent with London Plan policy. The PLA is working in partnership with TWUL to actively find the most appropriate approach to reactivating the wharf and want to develop proposals to reactivate the wharf with a suitable operator.

Middle Wharf extends to approximately 0.08 hectares and is located upstream of Vauxhall Bridge. The safeguarding direction and plan showing the extent of the wharf are attached. Access is from Nine Elms Lane. Navigational access to the wharf is indicated on the attached chart extract (from PLA Chart 315 – Nine Elms Reach) and tidal details are as follows: -

• Mean High Water Springs - +6.47 metres CD.
• Mean High Water - +5.87 metres CD.
• Mean High Water Neaps - +5.27 metres CD.
• Mean Low Water Neaps - +0.94 metres CD.
• Mean Low Water Springs - +0.32 metres CD.

The selected operator will be expected to work fully with the PLA and TW in pursuit of the wharf’s reactivation for waterborne cargo-handling in accordance with the policies in the London Plan and the future operational requirements of the Thames Tideway Tunnel.

Cargo-handling operations at the wharf will be subject to ongoing Tideway and TWUL maintenance requirements, as shown on the attached drawing, in terms of both area and frequency. The areas required to accommodate this activity must be made available by agreement with the operator when required in accordance with the planned maintenance schedule and operators may want to consider the location and permanency of any plant and equipment on this basis. Unplanned/emergency access may be required, and a protocol governing access in the event of an emergency will need to be agreed with TWUL. Any commercial agreement between TWUL and the operator for the wharf will reflect the need to access the site during these maintenance activities. A new Thames Path at the riverward end of the site was also part of the Tideway scheme, but the path will be closed during any cargo-handling operations from vessels to the wharf itself. Notwithstanding these constraints, the Mayor of London has confirmed, following a submission by Tideway, that the wharf continues to be viable for cargo-handling.

The PLA and TW are seeking details of cargo-handling operators’ initial technical and functional requirements and will look to explore with potential operators how these can best be accommodated at Middle Wharf to achieve a responsive, design approach which reduces as far as possible any harm to the surrounding area, including the amenity of surrounding uses and seeking to accommodate the Thames Tideway Tunnel operation and maintenance constraints. Accordingly, any outline proposals for new marine infrastructure, including jetties and dredging the operator expects to require at Middle Wharf should be submitted with any expression of interest.

The preferred operator will be selected on the basis of best compatibility with a range of selection criteria. Accordingly, submissions should focus on how the proposed operations at the wharf best comply with these selection criteria. In addition, the company’s recent financial and trading details should be provided, together with any further information the operator considers relevant to the consideration of their expression of interest.

Selection Criteria

Cargo-Handling Proposals

Details – or assumptions - of the operations proposed at the Wharf should be provided. Specifically, details on the type and nature of proposed operations, both on the Wharf and at the berth (or any proposed new marine infrastructure); vessels to be utilised (including likely dimensions and arrivals/departures from the berth); cargo sources and destinations from the Wharf, including those any added value processes proposed to be undertaken; total land area required for the proposed operations (if use of the whole site is not required); best estimate (if known) of cargo volumes to/from the Wharf, including splits between waterborne and road modes for materials to and from the Wharf; and details of any other infrastructure required to facilitate the proposed operations.

Planning permission for reactivation will need to be secured in due course. In promoting a planning application, the selected operator will need to be prepared to consider design flexibility when determining scale, layout and arrangement of elements. The PLA and TW would wish to explore and agree design guidelines and requirements for the Wharf, together with the selected operator and the Local Planning Authority so as to achieve an acceptable design approach to accommodate reactivation, having regard to the operational and maintenance constraints of the Thames Tideway Tunnel scheme, the surrounding area, land uses and other relevant planning considerations.

Financial Proposals

Details of the operator’s financial position and previous trading are – as noted above – required. Annual reports and other financial information are welcome and will be treated as confidential if requested.

Viability

Information – or assumptions underpinning the expression of interest – as to the current and future viability of the proposed operations at the Wharf should be provided. Specifically, details on target markets and products; opportunities to develop new waterborne trade at or in the vicinity of the wharf; the creation of synergies with existing cargo-handling operations within the Port of London.

Written submissions addressing all these issues should be made to me no later than 14 October 2024. Any questions should be directed to myself or to Lucy Owen, the Deputy Director of Planning and Development ([email protected]) in the first instance. Please note that the PLA and TWUL are under no obligation to accept any submitted response and retain the right to discontinue the procurement of an operator should the wharf be reactivated by other means or detailed feasibility assessments reveal that the use of the Wharf is not viable for use in the manner proposed by the selected operator.

The PLA hopes that this represents an interesting opportunity to operators within and new to the Port of London and we look forward to hearing from operators accordingly.

At a naming ceremony in Ramsgate today attended, HRH The Princess Royal officially named Estuary Elise, a state-of-the-art pilot boat to join Estuary Service Limited’s fleet of six vessels.

Estuary Elise is an ORC171 built by Norfolk-based family boat builders, Goodchild Marine Services Ltd. It uses a modern, fuel-efficient hull form, providing both greater service resilience and comfort, whilst supporting ESL’s customers. The vessel design also includes additional accommodation and extra capacity for customers.

Quote from ESL Managing Director, Robert Brown:
“We were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to Ramsgate today to name our new pilot boat, Estuary Elise. This is the latest addition to supplement our fleet and will provide greater resilience, an even better service to our port customers, and – through improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions - supports our ongoing commitment to improving our environmental performance.” 

Quote from Goodchild Marine Services Limited General Manager, Stephen Pierce:
“Estuary Services Limited had the first ORC pilot boat built by us, and over the next twelve years those numbers have increased to over 30 in total for ports around the UK and Europe. This would not have been possible without the vision and commitment of ESL back then to be innovative in their approach to the next generation of pilot boats. It is with great pride that we see another ORC pilot boat enter service with ESL and our continued working relationship.”

Quote from PLA Chief Executive, Robin Mortimer:
“This British-built boat joins the ESL fleet as we approach one of the busiest times of year for the Port of London in the run-up to Christmas. Estuary Elise is designed specifically to meet the needs of the Port of London and ESL’s other customers, ensuring our pilots can reach our customers’ ships in the Thames Estuary and Medway in all weathers. Already the UK’s biggest port, we’re planning for a further 50% growth by 2050. This new cutter will both support our extensive pilot recruitment and training programme, and help us meet and exceed our 98% service commitment to our customers.

“The whole ESL team, our PLA pilots and colleagues from other ports, join me in thanking HRH The Princess Royal for naming the Estuary Elise today and for her ongoing support and commitment to the UK’s maritime sector.”

Action Highlights: Monitoring Our Impact

Monitoring of Emissions on the Thames

Real-time AQ mesh monitors have been in situ at various riverside locations since 2019.  They monitor five key pollutants: NO2, PM2.5, PM10, Ozone (O3) and Sulphur Dioxide (SO2). This data is managed by Ricardo Energy and Environment Ltd who provide annual reports for each site. This data can then be compared to National Air Quality Objective Limits. 

The PLA diffusion tube network has been established at river-side sites in various locations since 2018. Results of this monitoring, alongside the AQ mesh data, has revealed that most locations are under legislative limits for NO2, however, high concentrations at sites within the City of London and Westminster were recorded which correlates with the high ambient pollutant concentrations here according to the NAEI.

Monitoring of these pollutants has allowed us to build an evidence base for identifying those areas of concern and a baseline for these areas of the river. 

Action Highlights: Understanding Our Impact

Port Wide Emissions Inventory

In order to understand and explain our river-side monitoring results, it is necessary to observe what kind of river-based activity is occurring on the river and how this is contributing to pollution levels. Due to the diversity of river-users on the Thames, this needed to be explored to a granular level. With this level of detail, it is clear to see hotspots of vessel emissions on the river and even which vessel types are more polluting than others, which subsequently evidences which operators/vessel types/boroughs need to be the focus of future action to achieve river-wide emissions reductions. 

At a high-level, inventory data is allowing us to understand our impact relative to other industry and is contributing to our Scope 3 emissions calculations. We also provide this data to the GLA to inform the shipping emission calculations in the annual London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI).

“We wholeheartedly support this ambitious Air Quality Strategy and look forward to supporting the Port of London Authority with its delivery.”
Ruth Calderwood, Air Quality Manager at City of London

Case Study: 2021 Emission Inventory (EI) Findings 

An EI is an accounting of emissions discharged into the atmosphere. The significant findings of the EI were that chemical/LNG/LPG, container, cruise, dry cargo, ro-ro/vehicle carriers, and tug and supply vessels sub types are the dominant contributors, making up 75% of energy consumption in the IWV inventory. For both IWV and OGV, auxiliary engines are the dominant emissions source as vessels spend most of their time in the port in stationary mode. Tug and supply vessels made up nearly half of the IWV emissions and energy consumption in the inventory despite this vessel type only being 18% of the unique IWV identified.

A heatmap of the results highlighted the fact that the highest emissions were arising from activity east of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge (QEII), consistent with the large cargo-handling terminals situated there. Within the GLA boundary, areas around Tower Hamlets, Westminster and Greenwich were also highlighted as areas of high IWV activity.

1. Introduction

1.1. This public consultation is to seek views on proposals for several modifications to the General Directions for Navigation in the Port of London (General Directions).

1.2. The consultation applies to all areas within the jurisdiction of the Port of London Authority and to a variety of river users navigating and operating on the Thames.

1.3. We would like feedback on the proposed changes, including any concerns regarding potential impact on safety or on operations, which may make the changes difficult to implement. We would also welcome any comments in support of the proposed changes.

2. The Consultation Process

Affected Parties

2.1. This consultation is directed towards river users and will be of particular interest to those who are involved in any commercial activities.

Consultation Duration

2.2. This consultation is now open and will last for 36 days. It will close on Friday 13th September 2024.

Conclusion

2.3. The information you submit may be made available to other parties. If you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response be treated as confidential. Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system in e-mail responses will not be treated as such a request. If you make such a request, you will not receive a personal response.

2.4. We appreciate all responses to our consultations and we may contact you to reply directly to your feedback, however we do not respond to everyone. Replies are provided when required – such as a request for more information.

3. Responses to this Consultation

3.1. Reponses to the consultation should be sent so that they are received no later than the closing date detailed in 2.2.

3.2. Responses may be submitted in the following two methods:

A.
By post:
Marine Compliance Department
Port of London Authority
London River House, Royal Pier Road,
Gravesend, Kent
DA12 2BG

B.
By email:
[email protected]
(Please include the Consultation Notice number in the subject line (C02-24).

4. Proposal

4.1. Navigational safety is our highest priority. Therefore, in line with the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code, we frequently propose changes to our regulations to ensure they remain relevant, effective and robust.

4.2. Various amendments are proposed as part of this three-year review of the General Directions and, whilst it is not practicable to detail them all, we provide two copies which will assist you in reviewing the proposed changes; a marked copy showing the location and basic details of the proposals and a clean version of the proposed new General Directions. The current revision of the General Directions is available on our website.

The completion of berth four at London Gateway is expected in the coming months, which is expected to contribute to a significant increase in trade on the river. In preparation for this and to meet the growing customer demand for pilotage services, the PLA has been continuing to invest in our team of Pilots. 

Embarking on a comprehensive training programme which will equip them for the unique challenges of navigating the Thames, are:

• William Hatch (right), who began his seafaring career in 2014 with Holland America Line and has since gained valuable experience as Chief Officer on worldwide itineraries with Seabourn Cruises. During this time, he developed a strong interest in channel pilotage and ship handling. Driven by a deep family connection to the PLA and its pilotage history, he is looking forward to contributing to the safe navigation of vessels through the Thames.
• Johnnie Cowie (left) started his career at sea with Maersk, sailing on tankers and container ships worldwide, working his way up to 2nd Officer on their tanker fleet. He then moved to work on an offshore supply vessel as 2nd Officer rising to Chief Officer with SBS Marine, where he worked on the East coast of India and in the North Seak, before moving to Gulf Offshore as Chief Officer and Master. His shore-based career started in 2019 when he took up a role as Deputy Harbour Master and Pilot at the ports of Ayr and Troon with ABP on the West Coast of Scotland. Continuing work in the Ports and Harbours sector he moved to the East Coast of Scotland as Marine Manager in Leith, then Harbour Master of Forth and Tay with Forth Ports.  He is now looking forward to returning to Pilotage and joining the PLA.  

Dave Newbury, PLA Marine Pilotage Manager said:

“We are thrilled to have William and Johnnie join our Pilotage team.

“Increasing our talent pool will allow us to sustain a resilient and quality service for our customers and increase the volume of freight transported to this country by river.”

In 2023, the PLA achieved a 99.6 per cent pilotage service level for customers, during which our pilots guided 13,707 vessels along the river and estuary. 

Marking London Climate Action Week (22 June to 30 June), the Port of London Authority (PLA) has opened this year’s Thames Environment Fund.

As a trust port, the PLA’s role is to protect and improve the tidal Thames for all, handing it on in a better condition to future generations. To deliver on the environmental aims of the PLA’s strategy, Thames Vision 2050, this year’s funding aims to attract a wider variety of applicants, including from schools, charities and sports clubs with an interest in protecting the river.

Grace Rawnsley, Director of Sustainability at the PLA said: “We are excited to launch our Thames Environment Fund this year. We’re again offering £50,000 to fund a range of projects that foster environmental improvements on the tidal Thames. We welcome any applicants who share our passion and vision for the future of the natural Thames and its wildlife.”

In the past three years, the PLA has underwritten 14 projects, thanks to the Thames Environment Fund. Last year’s funding supported clean up events, repaired a pontoon and promoted the research on filtration of microplastics. Examples include: Greenwich Yacht Club’s purchase and testing of electric outboards, Medway Swale Estuary Partnership’s and Fulham Reach Boat Club’s litter picks.

Applications are open to any project ideas that will be of environmental benefit to the tidal Thames. The application period opens today, 24 June, and closes on Friday 30 August 2024 at 5pm. Projects may ask for up to £15,000.

Click here to download the application. (docx)

Second round project funding

Greenwich Yacht Club used its £14,355.45 grant for the purchase, installation and testing of 3 electric outboard boat motors, as well as an outreach initiative to educate members and the community about the benefits of electric outboards.

Fulham Reach Boat Club used its £2,000 grant to plan and engage participants in regular litter-picking sessions and use weekly water quality testing to educate participants on river pollution and collect a reliable dataset. 

£2,500 allowed South Dock Marina Berth Holders Association to extend the flora introduction in the Greenland Dock Lock Area with the addition of 8, 2-meter square floating planter sections to adjoin the existing line of 5, creating a reed bed of sufficient density to be self-sustaining. An ‘H’ layout will incorporate sheltered areas for bird life.

UCL's £12,500 grant enabled it to plan research filtration techniques to collect microplastics from the River Thames and develop a series of three prototypes to quantify their effectiveness. A report will be published outlining the project deliverables and the next steps for future research.

London Wildlife Trust received a £12,130 grant for the purchase of essential PPE, tools, equipment, and materials for the Isleworth Ait volunteering sessions. Access improvements to the landing allowed volunteers to undertake projects on the island: Osiers were harvested, and mostly replanted, trees obstructing the footpath were removed, and sycamore branches overhanging the summer snowflake and marsh marigolds (starting to flower in March) were cut back.

Medway Swale Estuary Partnership’s £2,250 grant allowed it to undertake monthly litter clean-ups on sites across the Thames and Medway Swale Estuaries. To date 63 volunteers have attended equating to 126 volunteer hours and 127 bags of litter have been removed from the foreshore weighing 874kg.

Tidey’s grant of £2,500 helped them create a project informing groups of students about river pollution and promoting litter-picking, caring for river wildlife, and protecting the river. The project also involved litter picking events with students on the foreshore, with data feeding into Thames21’s water pollution database and the PLA’s Cleaning the Thames.