The Port of London Authority (PLA)
is alerting skippers and crews of powered leisure boats to the importance of carrying out routine inspections before they embark on trips on the Thames.

The call to action came after a rise in the number of boats suffering mechanical breakdowns. In the six weeks from the beginning of April, there were 11 incidents on the Thames in central London where boats needed assistance – almost two incidents a week. The incidents could have been prevented, if adequate checks had been carried out prior to setting off.

PLA assistant harbour master (recreational) Darren Knight explains:

“The Thames through London can be challenging for navigators, with tidal flows of up to four knots and waves that can be over a metre in height. Owners need to be sure that their boat is in a reliable condition and able to cope with these demands, where

engines will have to work much harder than normal.

“Owners also need to pause and think carefully as to whether their vessel is suitable to navigate on the tidal Thames.” The safety advice was issued in the latest PLA Safety Bulletin. It can be downloaded using the link below.