PLA News Releases

Twenty two apprentices this week celebrated the start of their journey towards careers on the tidal Thames, at the official launch of the Thames Skills Academy’s (TSA) Thames Apprenticeship Programme.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) this week hosted nine students from St Angela’s Ursuline School in Newham on a trip on the Thames, kicking off a three-year partnership with the school as part of London Youth Rowing’s ‘Breaking Barriers’ campaign.

Newborn baby Archie O’Doherty, pictured in mum Laura’s arms, made a dramatic entrance into the world – as his family sat down to watch The X Factor. Archie, son of PLA driftwood master Martin, was due at the beginning of November but made an early appearance at the End of Part One. Laura Osbourne, 27, knew it was her moment as she climbed the stairs of her Gravesend home and shouted at Martin, 29, for help.

As has been reported widely via the internet, there is currently a lone common dolphin in the upper reaches of the tidal Thames. Solitary dolphins are not uncommon around the UK coast and occasionally they will swim up rivers further inland. When this happens, their welfare can be threatened as people who are not used to seeing a marine animal may inadvertently cause it stress.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has unveiled a smart new eco-friendly £400,000 boat hoist to give its fleet – and other vessels on the Thames – a lift. The Power Hoist Atlantic (PHA) 100, made by Roodberg in the Netherlands, was recently brought into service at the PLA’s Marine Services boatyard in Denton, Kent. It can lift 70 tonnes – 10 more than the authority’s previous lift, which was in use for about 10 years.

Lads at Leigh Ramblers YFC under 12s, whose home ground is just over a mile from the Thames, are now able to stay that little bit drier in the new waterproof gear, which bears the PLA logo. Leigh Ramblers was founded in 1902, seven years before the PLA, which oversees safe navigation on the UK’s busiest river.

Two Kent teenagers – who say it’s their life’s ambition to work in the marine industry – have embarked on apprenticeships at the Port of London Authority (PLA).

We are a trading nation. We are a maritime nation. The genesis of our trading heritage was on the Thames. Here the Ancient Britons identified deep water, close to a shallow river ford, which was ideal for landing goods.