Ebb & Flow

There is a speed limit of 12 knots (13.8 mph) on the tidal Thames for all other than the emergency services on a *shout*. In such cases they displace a fair amount of water but so too do slower craft when running against the tide or waves whipped up by a wind. So here below, with a bit of a splash, are some of the boats I’ve photographed in action along Lambeth Reach over the past few years.

The Marine Policing Unit has a number of RIBs, able to reach speeds in excess of 50 knots. They are on permanent standby to attend emergencies and to intercept and board vessels along the tidal Thames.

Gabriel Franks was the first British police officer to die on duty when he was hit by a bullet during the Wapping Coal Riot in October 1798. His name lives on in a newer boat named GABRIEL FRANKS III. She is a TARGA 32 and part of the Metropolitan Marine Policing Unit fleet of Fast Patrol Vessels.

Fire Rescue boat ERRINGTON is named after Harry Errington, a London firefighter who was awarded the George Cross in World War II for his exceptional bravery during the Blitz. This fine, fast, and well-equipped boat joined London Fire Brigade’s Thames firefighting fleet on September 1st, 2022. With a top speed of 45 knots, she is the second fastest boat on the river after the Marine Policing RIBs.

FIRE FLASH and her sister FIRE DART, were in continuous use for over 20 years, and like new Fire Rescue boats TANNER and ERRINGTON, they were specially designed for operating on the Thames, carrying out rescue and firefighting operations.

The RNLI Lifeboats based at the four stations on the tidal Thames: Gravesend; Tower; Chiswick; and Teddington, also make a splash on their way to an emergency when speed is vital. These E-class lifeboats, specially designed for the strong tidal currents and navigational complexities of the RiverThames, are capable of a top speed of 40 knots.

Driftwood II an important element of the Port of London Authority fleet, is used to clear river debris and to maintain moorings. She is equipped with hydraulic cranes, burning gear, and salvage pumps.

IMPULSE is a versatile steel pusher tug. Equipped with a hydraulic crane and salvage pump, she is used for the recovery of a wide variety of driftwood as well as other tasks.

First serving as a transfer boat for crews working on wind farms, THAME was bought by the PLA in 2017, renamed, and converted for hydrographic use.

Based in central London, the GOLDEN STAR is a popular venue for all kinds of celebrations and sightseeing trips.

Moored at Lambeth Pier, ex-police boat GOVNOR has been acting as a workboat for a number of years.

Operated by the London Port Health Authority LONDINIUM III is often to be seen accompanying special boating events along the river.

Part of the Marine Support Thames fleet, PROWLER is kept busy out and about along the Thames.

End Notes
Some extra information from Ben about speed limits on the Thames:
From Wandsworth Bridge upstream the speed limit changes to 8 knots. However, under PLA byelaws “rowing coaching launches are permitted to exceed this speed limit when escorting a rowing vessel for training purposes or during a boat race or regatta”.

Thames Clippers “have an exemption from the PLA that allows brief speed increases in certain of the 12 knot areas, though they must be mindful of wash.”

RIBs such as Thames Rockets and others, are allowed to increase speed above 12 knots from Wapping downriver.

From Margaretness and below there is no speed limit.

Sources and further Information
Port of London Authority: speed limits
SCO-19 Marine Policing Unit also at end of article here.
Dock, Lock and River article: The Met Marine Policing Unit Fleet Upgrade.
London Fire Brigade Fire Boats
Lifeboats on the Thames and article on Tower RNLI
Port of London Authority boats
Capital Pleasure Boats Golden Star
Viscount Cruises
Marine Support Thames boat Prowler.

******************************
Congratulations to Ben, Thames Waterman & Lighterman, who has just celebrated the Twentieth Anniversary of his site The Liquid Highway, the leading River Thames source for news and info. It has an impressive Thames vessel photo gallery, giving technical details of thousands of boats. See: Photo gallery.
You can also follow him on Twitter X @liquid_highway1
& on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquidhighway

First published in May 22, I thought this might cheer some of you through our rather dark days. Seals are not frequent visitors along Lambeth Reach but we were treated during a couple of weeks or more, to the sight of a pair of seals that took a fancy to the Palace of Westminster markers on the river…

…two species of seal: grey seals and harbour seals. Following on from my previous post I am here concentrating on what I’ve been told are harbour seals. During this last month of April, I have been lucky enough to see and photograph a pair of them along Lambeth Reach and around the Palace of Westminster where the yellow, floating markers seem to have been a source of attraction.

Information kindly supplied by RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre: “63275 – Twerk is a common seal who came into us on 10th July 2021. She weighed 8.75kg. She was an orphaned pup from Shrewsbury, Essex. She remained at the Centre until 24th November 2021 when she was released into the River Nene, Sutton Bridge in Lincolnshire which flows into the Wash. She weighed 35kg.”

“63304 – Flash Dance is a common seal who came to us on 20th November 2021, he weighed 15kg. He was an orphaned pup from Felixstowe, Suffolk. He remained at the Centre until 21st January 2022 when he was released into the River Nene, Sutton Bridge in Lincolnshire which flows into the Wash. He weighed 35kg.”
When asked about the names, the Wildlife Centre explained: “Seals are the only animals that we name and the theme for that common season was dances.”

Since my last seal sighting, and during my absence for a couple of weeks, Twitter friend Matt took a film of a seal playing with a ball on the upstream side of Lambeth Bridge. Check out his May 20th Tweet @MYPersonalTrai5 So nice to see.

Sources and further information
With thanks to The RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre,
@RSPCA EastWinch for information about the two tagged seals.
Seal sighting by Kristi Tange on February 19, 2022 reported in: SW Londoner