04.06.2012

PLA Update - River Pageant - 3 June 2012

PLA chief harbour master, commander David Phillips, oversaw and ran the pageant from the PLA’s London operational hub, Thames Barrier Navigation Control centre.  He said:
 
“I’m very pleased with the way that yesterday’s pageant went.  It was a unique event, a one-off to mark Her Majesty’s 60 years.
 
“In typical British fashion, the weather made what was always going to be a challenging day even tougher. 
 
“I’m deeply proud of the PLA team who helped make it all possible, from the 100 people who worked afloat yesterday, to our control room staff, engineers and marine services group who planned, prepared and marshalled so diligently.  This event would not have happened without their enthusiastic commitment, deep marine knowledge and professionalism.
 
“The success of the pageant is the result of 18 months of planning and working in partnership with the participants.  Over 100 people participated in the five working groups we formed, each representing the main vessel groupings (or Squadrons) Rowers, the Royal Squadron, Historic vessels, Recreational boats and the Thames passenger boats.  We had people from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, Thames rowing clubs and other rowing and canoeing or kayaking organisations, the Association of Thames Yacht Clubs, the RNLI, the Police, LFB, the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, the St Pancras Cruising Club, the Dutch Barge Association, the Environment Agency, London Port Health, almost all the commercial Thames operators.”
 
“Our job didn’t finish with the fireworks at Tower Bridge; our priority was getting everyone safely tied up on their moorings so that they could relax and reflect on a very special day.  It’s work that we finally finished around midnight.”