24.06.2002
New guide to safety on the Thames
In readiness for the summer season, the Port of London Authority (PLA) has published a new guide for recreational users of the tidal River Thames. The ‘PLA Pleasure Users Guide’ has been written for the users of yachts, rowing boats, motorboats, speedboats, RIBs, dinghies, canoes, sailing craft, narrow boats and other leisure vessels used on the Thames.
The 47-page booklet – which is available free from the PLA - advises leisure users of the regulations that apply on the tidal Thames and outlines basic safety procedures. The guide covers the river from the Thames Estuary to Teddington, some 150 km (93 miles) in all.
Amongst the contents featured are:
- safety advice
- navigation rules
- radio and communications arrangements
- waste and rubbish disposal
- water sports regulation
PLA Head of Port Promotion, Geoff Adam said:
"The tidal Thames is home to one of the country’s busiest commercial ports, with a wide variety of visiting commercial ships. It is also considered a recreational river by a growing number of owners of leisure craft of all sizes. With such a mix of traffic, it is important that recreational users understand the need for safety at all times. The ‘PLA Pleasure Users Guide’ is part of the PLA’s continuing responsibility to enhance safety and develop safe use of the river for recreation, sport and leisure."
Note to Editors:
The Port of London Authority (PLA) is the port authority for the 150 km (93 miles) of the tidal River Thames from the Estuary to Teddington. The PLA provides pilotage and navigational services for ships using the Port of London, including the maintenance of shipping channels. The PLA is also actively engaged in the promotion of the Port of London, one of the UK’s top three ports, handling over 50 million tonnes of cargo in 2001. The Port comprises over 80 independently owned terminals and port facilities, which handle a very wide range of cargoes.
