SPCC Tidal Thames Cruising Guide
SOURCES OF HELP AND INFORMATION
The river authorities – Above Teddington Lock the authority is the Environment Agency. A licence is required and visitors may obtain such licences from the lock keeper at Teddington Lock (Tel: 020 8940 8723). The lock is manned 24 hours a day throughout the year and no prior arrangement is necessary.
The river authorities – Below Teddington Lock. The tidal river authority is the Port of London Authority (PLA). PLA launches patrol the river 7 days a week
Chief Harbour Master 01474 562200
PR Section 020 7481 8484
Public Piers 020 7930 2641
Harbour Master Upper (above Dagenham) 020 7265 2604
Harbour Master Lower (below Dagenham) 01474 562200
Duty Officer (Woolwich) 020 8312 7670
Port Controller (Gravesend) Richmond Lock 01474 560311
Richmond Lock 020 8940 0634
Patrol Launches VHF 12, 14, 16, 6
London River House, Royal Pier Road, Gravesend, Kent DA12 0EL Tel: 01474 562200
Tide Tables, Byelaws and other published information
General Enquiries
Mooring and landing Navigation and safety
Navigation and safety Navigation and safety Emergency or urgent assistance
Call sign ‘Thames Patrol’
Canals – The authority for the inland waterways leading off the Thames is British Waterways. A licence is required, which should be obtained in advance. Access is only possible at certain states of the tide.
British Waterways London Region 1 Sheldon Square, London W2 6T Tel: 020 7985 7200 Licences and general information
Bow Tidal Lock 020 7517 5570 Only available at 24 hour notice
Limehouse Lock 020 7308 9930 Opening times subject to tides
Brentford Creek Tidal Lock 020 8568 2779 Opening times subject to tides
Brentford Gauging Lock User operated with Watermate Key
Police – The Metropolitan Police, Marine Support Unit, patrol the river in fast launches. They will assist small craft in difficulties.
Wapping 020 7488 5291 Blackfriars Bridge to Dartford Creek
Emergency 999 Ask for Thames Police
Police patrols VHF 14 Call sign ‘Marine Police’
London Coastguard keeps 24 hour safety watch over the Thames from Gravesend to Teddington. The control centre is at Woolwich phone: 020 8855 0315 and ask for London Coastguard
Communications – Information or assistance may be obtained from the following sources by calling on their working channel.
Sea Reach No.4 to Crayfordness Call sign ‘Port Control London’ VHF 13
Above Crayfordness Call sign ‘London VTS’ VHF 14
River Medway and approaches Call sign ‘Medway VTS’ VHF 74
Limehouse Lockmaster VHF 80
Thames Lock, Brentford
Lock will be manned either side of high water during the following core- hour periods:
0800-1800 Summer 1st April - 31st October
0800-1600 Winter 1st November - 31st March
Note: Summer will include early Easter and late Autumn half term holidays.
Passage outside of normal opening times is available on a pre-booked basis (see note alongside) during the period 0500-2200 hours.
Gauging Locks, Brentford
Locks will be available for user operation during the following hours:
0730-1830 Summer 0730-1700 Winter
Note: A BW Watermate Key is required for user control panels.
Limehouse Lock
Lock will be manned during normal core hours as follows:
0800-1800 Summer 0800-1630 Winter
Pre-booked passage outside of core hours will be available within the period 0500-2200 hours (see alongside).
Bow Locks, Lee Navigation
Lock will not normally be manned. Passage via pre-booking is available, subject to tide during the following hours:
0500-2200 Summer and Winter
Note: Passage outside normal hours—
Thames, Limehouse and Bow Locks
Boaters requiring passage outside of stated core hours will need to pre- book giving British Waterways as much notice as is reasonably possible, but as a minimum no later than noon of the previous day. No charge is made for this service. Outside of normal hours please use answerphone facility on the appropriate number, stating clearly:
Telephone number s
Thames (Gauging)
020
8568
2779
Limehouse Lock
020
7308
9930
Bow Locks
020
7517
5570
If for any reason the answerphone facility is not available please leave message on London Waterway Office number 020 7985 7200. In an emergency please contact our Emergency Answering Service by dialing ‘Freephone Canals’ and asking for the London Duty Officer to be paged. Note: If telephoning from a mobile phone please dial: 01384 240 948. Limehouse Lockmaster: VHF Channel 80
Hanwell Flight of Locks
Locks 90 and 97 will be secured via BW Watermate Key outside of normal working hours (0800-1700 Summer and 0800-1600 Winter). Boaters requiring passage outside of these hours are requested to carefully re-lock paddle devices after use.
Passage through the flight is not permitted during hours of darkness, nor beyond 2130 during Summer months.