04.11.2011

Good Boaters Caught on Camera

The Port of London Authority (PLA) is set to launch a raft of Thames safety films.

In a drive to highlight the challenges faced by recreational river users on Britain’s busiest inland waterway, the port authority has commissioned three films which follow boaters as they tackle the Thames safely.

One, covering Southend to Crayfordness, highlights the protocols and regulations around navigating in the estuary and in close vicinity to large ocean-going ships.

A second deals with getting through the Thames Barrier.

And a third will show how to follow the rowing code between Putney and Richmond.

All three films are being made following the success of central London footage which was released last year. It shows rowers and those driving power vessels how to tackle bridges, manoeuvre near passenger boats and piers, and understand navigation lights between Greenwich and Westminster.

The films are being loaded onto the PLA’s dedicated recreational website - www.boatingonthethames.co.uk – as they’re completed. The site, launched last year, has been designed by the authority with support from members of the rowing, kayaking, sailing and narrowboat communities.

Chief harbour master, David Phillips said: “The website’s proved very popular and boaters of all types: rowers, sailors, narrow-boaters and paddlers have told us they’ve found the central London film very helpful.  That’s why we’re creating more films as easy-to-use guides to navigating the river.  All should be released on the website before the end of December, making them crucial viewing for anyone planning to visit London during the Olympics.”

The website complements existing PLA materials including the Recreational Users Guide to the river which is available in a print and on-line version.