A free guide, helping leisure users safely to get the most out of Britain’s most famous tidal river, has been revamped by the Port of London Authority (PLA).

Every year the Thames attracts many thousands of recreational river users, including stand-up-paddle- boarders, canoeists, rowers and motor boaters. The PLA’s two-sided, easy-to-read river guide provides them with practical tips for safe navigation, points of interest for leisure users as well as details of visitor moorings.

It has a wealth of all-important information river users might need: handy phone numbers, clearly drawn maps, ebb tide flag warning advice and useful web links. The revised or latest edition of the waterproof guide also comes with updates about port buoyage.

Richard Hart of Association of Thames Yacht Clubs said: "The new guide is a definite improvement. The inclusion of visitor moorings is great. Going onto the river for the first time in a

boat can be intimidating to say the least. The guide is very helpful." Assistant harbour master (recreational) Darren Knight said: “We are very proud of the latest guide. We were very keen with this edition to make it more readable and to get it out well before Christmas as it will make essential reading for some in the run up to the festive season. Our launch crews often see people coming down to the river on Christmas Day trying out their presents, so it’s really important they read up on how to

Thames Rowing Club has won our (PLA) tenth Rowing Safety Award and a prize of £1,200.

The club, based in Putney,
came top in a league of the river’s ‘safest’ clubs, an annual points-based system monitored by the Thames Regional
Rowing Council (TRRC).

Tony Reynolds, TRRC regional water safety officer, said: “The TTRC are grateful to the PLA
for supporting the annual safety awards. Congratulations to Thames Rowing Club on a
great job this past year.”

Working with local clubs, the TRRC and PLA produce a
rowing code of practice booklet last year, a comprehensive source of information and advice for rowing on the tidal Thames.

£1,200 prize) chairman said: “I want to
thank the PLA and TRRC for supporting this initiative and to congratulate the Thames Rowing Club coaches and members for making safety a priority.” Runners-up in the annual award, and
given a £750 prize was Fulham Reach
Boat Club, which having opened earlier
this year, showed high standards of safety.

Speaking at the event, Bob Baker, PLA chief harbour master said: “The Thames
is a fantastic place for people to enjoy rowing, sailing, paddling and more. As it
is a strong tidal river and a busy waterway, we ask users to keep a proper lookout, know and follow the rules and show consideration for others.” Stephen Dooley, Thames Rowing Club (who received a

stay safe before getting afloat.”

“For the first time, after reader feedback, we’ve included the location of visitor moorings, as well as the relevant contact information for the booking of these facilities.”