A surge in swimmers and unsuitable inflatables on the Thames in London during the COVID-19 lockdown is putting lives at risk.

That’s the warning from the Tidal Thames Water Safety Forum (TTWSF), representing all the bodies involved in preventing drownings on the river, from Teddington to the North Sea.

Ahead of the Royal Lifesaving Society’s Drowning Prevention Week (12 -19 June 2020), the group’s advice to all those taking to the Thames is that hidden dangers lie in entering the capital’s river, particularly for untrained and inexperienced water users.

Mark Towens, the Port of London Authority (PLA) harbour master for the river in London, chairs the TTWSF. He said: “The early summer sunshine, possibly linked to people being either furloughed or working from home, saw a marked increase in people venturing out into the river, many using inflatables suitable only for use in swimming pools.

“We recognise the allure of the river for people seeking rest and recreation, particularly at this time, but our advice to anybody taking to the river on impulse, particularly less able swimmers and the inexperienced, is clear: Stay out of the water. It could cost you your life.

“Even the fittest athlete can find themselves challenged by the river’s powers. It flows at the speed of an Olympic swimmer and has a daily tidal rise and fall of seven metres.

“The risk of cold water shock – causing the heart to go into seizure - is also a year-round phenomenon.

“On top of this, there is the risk of colliding with vessels on the river or being injured by infrastructure along the banks of the foreshore, often hidden beneath the waterline. The deep mud of the foreshore can also trap people, creating a serious risk of death, given the speed of the river’s ebb and flow.”

The TTWSF’s other members (the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, London Ambulance Service and Maritime & Coastguard Agency), have recently been involved in helping swimmers in the river who have unexpectedly found themselves in difficulty.

Any member of the public who spots someone in the river in trouble should always call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard, rather than attempt a rescue themselves.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has announced the results of the air quality monitoring programme around its mid-river mooring at Greenwich.

Greenwich Ship Tier is principally used by visiting cruise ships. Seven monitoring stations were installed close to the mooring, on the north and south riverbanks. Operational since Spring 2019, they captured data around the clock, with the raw data available via the websites of both the PLA and Breathe London. The PLA committed to share the analysis of the calibrated results from the monitoring, a commitment it is now fulfilling. The summary air quality monitoring report can be found online here.

The monitors were capturing data on two pollutants: Particular Matter (PM) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) over a 146-day period. Cruise ships were moored at Greenwich on 41 of those days. Analysis of the calibrated results of the monitoring shows that when a cruise ship was moored at Greenwich Ship Tier there was:

• no exceedance in the National Standard for the daily (24 hour) PM10 mean for 97.6% of the time (40 out of 41 days) – this is a statistically insignificant difference compared to the two exceedances of the PM10 National Standard (24 hours) over this period when there was no cruise ship berthed at Greenwich Ship Tier.
• no exceedances in the National Standard for the hourly NO2 mean at any monitoring sites, except at Greenwich Pier; it is considered that, rather than cruise vessels, the strong influence of other river activities at Greenwich Pier was the reason for the hourly NO2 mean exceeding the National Standard for approximately 1.5% of the entire monitoring period; of this, 0.17% occurred when a cruise vessel was mooring at Greenwich Ship Tier.

“Monitoring air quality in a congested urban environment is a complex thing to do,” said PLA chief executive, Robin Mortimer. “These results help us all understand better the impact of cruise ships on the Thames at Greenwich. The conclusion is that there are not breaches of legal standards for air quality attributable to cruise ships berthing at Greenwich Ship Tier.

“In the longer term, we are committed to exploring options for Net Zero berthing operations when vessels are in port. We are seeking technical, operational and investment business partners for this project with a target date of 2025. This is a technically challenging goal, particularly given the economic impacts of the pandemic, but will be our focus as part of a wider green recovery.”

Robin Mortimer added that the PLA has today released its ‘emission reduction roadmap for inland shipping on the Tidal Thames’. The roadmap, developed by specialist consultants, E4tech, working in consultation with the PLA and river operators, is the first of its kind for a UK port. It sets out the feasibility of technological steps for progressive reduction of emissions from river operations including passenger ferries, tugs, freighters and service boats. The report also identifies barriers to reach the 2050 target for domestic shipping, which the PLA is already working with operators and other regulators to eliminate. The emission reduction roadmap is online here.

The Greenwich Ship Tier air quality monitors were installed in accordance with a recommendation in the PLA’s Air Quality Strategy, published in May 2018, the first to be produced by a UK port. The strategy features challenging 25-year targets including halving emissions from river-related sources, whilst continuing to grow use of the river for both freight and passengers.

The network of air pollution monitors was funded by the PLA. Supplied by Gloucestershire-based Air Monitors Limited, the state-of-the-art technology used in Greenwich mirrors that used in other major studies around the world. The monitoring was undertaken alongside the Breathe London Network and the Councils covering both Greenwich and Tower Hamlets, close to Greenwich Ship Tier. The calibration work has been undertaken by Ricardo UEA who is supporting DEFRA Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN) monitoring sites and they are now maintaining the sensors. In the busy and complex London environment, the monitors picked up emissions from all sources, particularly road transport.

The PLA will be discussing the air quality monitoring results at the next local public meeting, when COVID-19 response regulations make this again possible. In the meantime, it will be welcoming stakeholders’ questions to the email address: [email protected]

Robin Mortimer concluded:

“The ongoing situation with the COVID-19 virus means that the public and face-to-face meetings we had expected to host about this data are not currently possible. We look forward to further discussion with stakeholders, once the public health crisis has passed and are open to online feedback and engagement.”

PLA initiatives to improve air quality on the tidal Thames include the UK port-first Green Tariff for environmentally cleaner ships calling at terminals on the river. The Green Tariff discount has been increased this year, with those ships calling on the Thames that perform at an even higher environmental standard now qualifying for a 20 per cent discount.

“I am away from my family for eight months. The phone top up allowed me to see my children. Thank you.” Rustan (Seafarer, Philippines)

Mobile phone credits, donated by the Port of London Authority (PLA), are keeping seafarers calling at terminals on the Thames connected with family during the COVID-19 crisis.

Pre-paid SIM cards, along with essential toiletries and a home comfort or two, like confectionary, are being distributed to the crews on vessels from around the world, who are keeping international trade flowing.

Since the UK COVID-19 lockdown started (23 March), over 3,000 vessels have delivered vital supplies to the capital by river, including food, fuel and medical supplies.

The parcels are proving a lifeline for the seafarers, who are unable to disembark in port due to public health restrictions.

Leading the operation to distribute the parcels is Mark Moeller, a chaplain with the Queen Victoria Seamen’s Rest (QVSR), who run the seafarers’ mission at Tilbury in Essex. He said: “The crews greatly appreciate the PLA’s donations, which are making life more enjoyable for them at this worrying time.

“The opportunity to connect with their family and friends, often thousands of miles away, has been particularly welcomed. It’s been a real morale booster to be able to check on the welfare of their relatives back home.”

“The work of seafarers often goes unnoticed, so it’s also good to see their efforts being recognised.

“We are very grateful to the PLA for their help in providing the parcels.”

Alistair Gale, corporate affairs director at the PLA, said: “‘The QVSR works extremely hard supporting seafarers all year round.

“Partnering with them to boost their work at this time is a small way of us showing that the efforts of crews from around the globe are greatly valued.”

“They are the keyworkers of the seas, continuing to deliver everyday things that we tend to take for granted.”

A PLA film highlighting the contribution of seafarers during the COVID-19 crisis is available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/LFp5OC1HcBc

PLA staff’s online fundraiser to help estimated 150,000 crew members unable to return home due to COVID-19 lockdowns

Boats, bikes and boots - and a horse - have helped Port of London Authority (PLA) staff reach the halfway point in a virtual voyage around the world, via other trading hubs, raising money to help seafarers stranded by COVID-19.

Since Easter, the 400-strong workforce has been totting up the miles they have covered, both afloat for work, keeping the port open for trade, and for relaxation - walking, running and cycling.

They are aiming to raise £1,500 for the Mission to Seafarers, supporting crews stranded away from home by COVID-19 lockdowns. The campaign group Human Rights at Sea reported (14 May) that an estimated 150,000 seafarers around the world are currently unable to return to their loved ones after ending long contracts, and face an uncertain future.

Heading into the bank holiday weekend, the PLA team’s online global journey sees them fast approaching Sydney, 16,340 miles from their starting point, the company’s headquarters at Royal Terrace Pier in Gravesend, Kent.

Their efforts have now inspired others in the sector to join in, with employees of Cory Brothers Shipping Agency and trade association the United Kingdom Major Ports Group (UKMPG) among those accepting the challenge to “catch us if you can.”

PLA chief executive, Robin Mortimer, has contributed over 130 miles to the tally, mainly by bike. He said: “This started as a way of encouraging all our employees to keep both physically and mentally fit during the COVID-19 crisis.

“It’s involved both our front-line staff, who have done a sterling job keeping the river safe for vessels transporting key supplies in and out of port, and back-office teams, who have been working from home now for nearly eight weeks.

“The motivation to exercise regularly during lockdown has been a key factor, but sharing stories across the company has also buoyed morale and helped people feel connected in very challenging times.

"Added to this, we are raising much-needed funds to help the Mission to Seafarers with their work supporting crews on vessels all around the world, who continue to play such a vital, but often overlooked, role in keeping us all supplied with food, fuel, medicines and other key goods."

Sights and sounds enjoyed by the PLA team on their travels across the country, include tranquil sunrises over the river, seals on the estuary, an eerily quiet central London and spring bluebell woods in full bloom.

The UK Government has released revised information on the continuing COVID-19 (‘coronavirus’) pandemic.

The overriding guidance is to stay at home as much as possible, but it is now possible to undertake unlimited exercise each day and to drive, walk or cycle to outdoor open spaces. Public transport should be avoided.

As a result the Port of London Authority (PLA) confirms that the Thames is suitable for appropriate recreational activity, including all foreshore searching activities. Therefore, anyone who holds a current foreshore permit may now return to the foreshore. The existing rules on restricted locations and on finds apply and, in line with Government guidance, social distancing of two metres must be maintained.

Those going to, being on and leaving the foreshore must take a cautious and responsible approach and keep a minimum of two metres distance from anyone else. Particular care should be taken at access points and appropriate hand washing or sanitising equipment must be used before and after being on the foreshore.

Anyone considering recreational activity must consider carefully the risks. The Thames remains a challenging environment and all reasonable precautions should be taken to ensure safety.

Please be aware that Government guidance may change at short notice which may return to restrictions in recreational activity. As a result, users are recommended to keep up to date with the latest guidance on COVID-19 and to regularly check the PLA website.

For those with applications for foreshore permits currently with the PLA, requests for refunds are being processed and will be made as soon as possible; your patience is appreciated. Other applications already with the PLA will, once validated, be processed and permits despatched.

A new application system will be available from the PLA website next week and applications for new or renewal permits will only be accepted through the new system.

As a gesture of goodwill, all holders of permits that are valid as of today’s date are granted a one-month extension beyond the end date shown on the permit.

Any enquiries should be directed to [email protected]

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has issued a Notice to Mariners confirming agreement with the Metropolitan Police, Kent Police & Essex Police that, from today (Wednesday, 13 May 2020), the Thames is suitable for undertaking recreational activity, in line with new Government guidance.

In the notice they stress that it is particularly important to respect the requirement that social distancing of two metres should be maintained and that group activity should be restricted only to those family members/people living in the same household.

Harbour master, Mark Towens noted that people considering going afloat must consider carefully the risks involved:

“The Thames remains a challenging environment for recreational activity. Those taking to the water should be experienced, understand the Tideway Code and other regulations, taking all reasonable precautions to ensure their safety, including using the appropriate safety equipment,” he said.

He also highlighted that the PLA’s river patrol operations in the upper tidal Thames (Putney to Teddington Lock) are currently scaled down as resources are focused on the resilience of essential port operations.

There will be no public access to the footbridge at Richmond Lock and Weir from 21 April, as part of continuing efforts to combat the coronavirus, the Port of London Authority (PLA) has announced.

The measure follows a lack of adherence by a minority of the bridge’s users to a one-way system, introduced at Easter, which the PLA had hoped would enable the structure to remain open to pedestrians and cyclists.

Mark Towens, the PLA’s harbour master for the upper tidal Thames, said: “Though the vast majority of people have respected the one-way system, a minority has sadly paid no attention. This unfortunately leaves us with no other option but to close the footbridge until further notice.

“I’d like to thank all those who complied with the one-way system.

“But without the closure, there remains a simply too high a risk of COVID-19 spreading, due to users meeting halfway across not being able stay safely two metres apart, as a result of the bridge’s narrow structure.

“We will lift the restrictions as soon as we can, in line with Government guidance.”

Seafarers from around the world, delivering essential supplies via the River Thames during the coronavirus crisis, are getting a special thank-you from the Port of London Authority (PLA).

Since the UK went into COVID-19 lockdown on 23 March, over 175 vessels have arrived at Tilbury and London Gateway in Essex, laden with a diverse range of goods, vital to keeping the nation going – including food, fuel and medical supplies.

But it’s a very difficult time for the vessels’ crew members, who for public health reasons are being advised not to disembark in port.

To make the long days and nights on board, away from home and their loved ones, a little more bearable for these key workers, the PLA is arranging regular thank-you parcels for crews docked on the river.

Wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment, Mark Moeller, a chaplain with the Queen Victoria Seamen’s Rest (QVSR), is distributing the emergency parcels.

They contain personal hygiene products, such as soap and toothpaste as well as chocolate and soft drinks as a treat. A further donation of £500 has been made by the PLA to provide mobile phone SIM cards, allowing the seafarers to make calls to their loved ones back home, whilst in port.

Alistair Gale; the PLA’s corporate affairs director said: “‘The QVSR has been working exceptionally hard to help seafarers in London, who can’t disembark due to COVID-19. We’re pleased to have stepped in to top up the essential supplies they are getting to the ships.”

Alex Campbell from QVSR said: “’We are receiving daily calls from seafarers asking for support, many of them are not able to get off ship to buy their usual supplies of basic, such as toothpaste, shower gel and soap.

“The PLA has responded to this need and have donated a range of these items which our port chaplain, Mark Moeller, has been able to supply to the seafarers.

“QVSR is working with the PLA to ensure that seafarers are looked after at this time of crisis, when it would be so easy to forget them amidst all the chaos and confusion.”

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has this week submitted its application for a Harbour Revision Order (HRO) to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

The PLA is seeking an HRO to modernise the Port of London Act, under which it operates, to reflect the operations and technology in use on the river today and its continued evolution as a modern, transparent organisation.

The PLA ran an informal, pre-submission consultation on the draft HRO last autumn, hearing back from more than 50 stakeholders with a range of helpful questions and comments. Since then, their feedback has been reviewed and, where appropriate, adjustments made. With that work complete, the formal HRO application was submitted to the MMO, the government body that manages such applications.

“A lot of people took time to engage with our informal HRO consultation last autumn, for which we were very appreciative,” said Robin Mortimer, chief executive of the PLA. “I am very pleased that we have now been able to submit the HRO document to the MMO, amended following the informal consultation.

“The MMO now has opportunity to review the document and validate it, ahead of their formal consultation. We have requested that the MMO formal consultation does not start until the current coronavirus restrictions are lifted. In the meantime, everybody now has opportunity to review the document ahead of the formal MMO consultation starting.”

The PLA HRO, alongside other explanatory information, including a simple guide and a note on the main changes that have been made since the informal consultation, can be found on the PLA website.

The MMO will only be open to stakeholder representations and comments on the HRO once their formal consultation has started.

Seafarers from around the world, delivering essential supplies via the River Thames during the coronavirus crisis, are getting a special thank-you from the Port of London Authority (PLA).

As part of measures to tackle the spread of the coronavirus, a one-way system for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the Thames via Richmond Footbridge is being introduced by the Port of London Authority (PLA).

From Good Friday (10 April), access to the footbridge will be restricted to the southern (Surrey) bank only.

This means the north to south route (from Twickenham to Richmond) will be closed until further notice.

Mark Towens, the PLA’s harbour master for the upper tidal Thames, said: “This is sadly a very necessary measure. We must do all we can to support the Government’s guidance to the public on limiting the risk of the coronavirus spreading.

“The narrow nature of the Richmond Footbridge’s design means that it is very difficult to observe the recommended two-metre social distancing, particularly when users meet half-way across.

“We hope this one-way system will allow us to protect public health, without having to close the footbridge entirely.

“Whilst stressing the need for everyone to help saves lives and protect the NHS by staying at home as much as possible, we do recognise that exercise is needed to maintain good physical and mental health at this worrying time. But it must be done safely, in accordance with all the public health guidance.

“Whilst our staff based at the lock will be monitoring the situation closely, we clearly are going to require the goodwill of the public to make this temporary arrangement work effectively.

“I have to stress that, if people flout the one-way system, we will have no other alternative but to halt all public access to the footbridge.

“It’s obviously something we would prefer not to have to do. That’s why we are asking for the co-operation of everyone who uses the bridge.

“We will lift the restrictions as soon as we can, in line with Government guidance.”