The Port of London Authority (PLA) is the organisation that controls the London River from a line drawn across the estuary bordering areas controlled by Dover, Harwich and Sunk etc. They are also the operators for many of the wharves and docks along the tidal Thames. It is their sway over us, the humble yachtsman (man or woman), that is of interest to most of us though.

I have to say, what is going on within the shipping world also has an effect upon us too, however one likes it… Much of this information is pertinent to all who traverse the London River.

Last evening I attended what is part of an on-going series of meetings with the boating, fishing and coastal/river fringe world including other interested parties, such as local authorities. This meeting was held at the Island Yacht Club, a venue which has a large area that can be seated.

The meeting was superintended by Robin Mortimer, PLA Chief Executive. He had a host of staff with him to follow up the expected raft of questions from the audience. These included: Alistair Gale, Director of Corporate Affairs; David Philips, Chief Harbour Master; Catherine Spain, Deputy Harbour Master (Some may know of her when HM for Medway Ports); Julian Parkes, Deputy HM; Martin Garside and others… I had communication with Martin in 2013 about ‘Bird Island’ the area of mud that has risen to around the 4.9m tide mark in Benfleet Creek – all BYC members will know of this patch… It will soon sprout the first shoots of a saltings cover. The PLA then told me it sat no higher than around 4.4m … that is rubbish, of course!

Robin gave the presentation in a slick and constructive manner. Some of this, it was apparent later, went over the heads of a number of non sefaring members of the audience, but David Philips gave an excelent, ‘fools guide’ to the way the river is run…

The vision of the PLA is: A vibrant safe and sustainable river.

A summary of the PLA strategy can be summed as: Safe, growth (use of the river) and enjoyment… (That’s us yachties and boaters…)

Growth was summed up in two sections – trade and pleasure. It was stated the latter were an important part of the PLA’s concern.

Some of the people gathering around ‘the PLA’ following the ending of the meeting … the seating area ws just about full.

Recreation is the amenity that most (Londoners) see the river as being; for walking the pathways and rowing. Down river it is sailing and boating. The PLA has set aside time and effort in getting to know these user groups, which is one of the fundamentals behind the regular meetings.

Commercial fishing, of course, is another small craft aspect that comes under the ‘jurisdiction’ of the PLA which, locally, is governed by the Kent & Essex Fisheries grouping. There are amognst the mix a group of private rod and line craft serving the sea fishing (angling) fraternity – they too need representation.

Thames passenger numbers are expected to rise above the 9 million mark by the end of this year. Shipping tonnage has fallen a little since the current down turn, but inland waterways freight has risen to 5 million tonnes – trebling over three years – this has been largely due to the spoil removal from Cross Rail.

One of the largest container ships is due to pass Canvey Island bound for Thames Gateway on Sunday 19th October. She is an ‘E’ class vessel which is 400m in length with a beam of 50 metres… She’ll be turned round and be off that same day!

It was stated that the spoil from the Thames Tideway Tunnel (Thames Water project) will be by river and is likely (if RSPB bid is accepted) it will go to Wallasea Island. This is a 7 year, £4 billion project. A harbour master for the project has been appointed. This will affect river users who transit to the waters beyond the tideway, but, it was said, the river will never be ‘shut’ but controls will be in place…

We were told that the Island YC, in paricular, is well on top of risk assessment plans for the events held around our waters. Others in the area have not been so! In this respect, I was told, after asking a question about the Thames Barge Match … they fully support this event and that all ‘they’ want is a risk assessment. But, talking to the owner of the Portlight (currently in long refit) this afternoon whilst perambulating along Maldon’s waterfront, the cost of safety craft for this has risen to over £16, 000 which has to be paid by some one…

A sediment study has been carried out by the environment Agency and a report is awaited. The PLA said that movement is taking place (and always has done, I mouthed at the speaker) and it is not truly understood why these things happen. It does not have anything to do with the dredging of the deep water ditch, they said. One only has to look at the width of this: it is a fraction of the river’s girth – some +3 miles off Southend … though many take a different view and I believe this is just to blame something or someone… Changes, locally, were taking palce long before the first dredger in a several decades appeared on the scene.

Against the above I raised the issue of creek siltation and pointed out that in another decade or two the very viability of local yachting could well be at risk. I suggested the remaoval of sea walls … this caused a ripple of horror from some within the auditorium… This, is of course, outside the remit of the PLA, but they did accept that dredging may well have to be an option … an unknown expense to be carried by whom?

The PLA are to investigate the ‘creek’ running across the Maplin Sand to the Havengore. The creek beyond is outwith their control. It was stated by a representative of the Cruising Association that this channel was once buoyed. I have no memory of this in recent years. Old pilotage books for yachtsmen I’ve looked at today do not indicate any such navigational marking, other than a couple of posts by the broomway, however, the PLA area ‘bod’ is going to investigate…

Locally, a Benfleet YC member raised the issue of rubbish in Benfleet Creek … this amounts (he said) to “a large number of black plastic bin bags full of household and boating waste causing blockages in the drainage channel…” The PLA said that they would investigate – this could be an Environment Agency concern… But, it sounds like the rubbish is coming from within the boating fraternity … ouch!

Having sailed up and down the Thames between Tower Bridge and the Nore this last summer, I wanted to obtain from the PLA what their position is with sailing craft, actually sailing. This to include tacking along reaches as needed by the prevailing conditions. The response was grand indeed: as long as a vessel adheres to the navigation rules and ships are not hindered then this a perfectly acceptable method of transiting the river.

N.B. … engines should (shall) be running and engaged – if you have one, and if not they need to know – when transiting the barrier … so I was a BAD boy once, some years ago, for which I was scolded by the mate!

There were various questions from various local groups and the Island’s Council, all outwith the ‘interest’ of yachting folk, however interesting…

One quetioner had an issue about shipping using the ‘outside’ channels that run either side of the ‘gateway’ red/green paired buoys. Essentially, all river users need to be aware that ships, that may look to be large will use the outer passages: many of these, like RoRo’s are of a relatively shallow draft and it is incumbent upon us to be on the look out. Day fishing close to the ship lanes should be avoided.

And, if a close encounter happens to you then the boat’s operator should call the PLA, by phone to preserve their aninimity, straight away so that it can be logged and investigated whilst the ‘offending’ ship is still in the river… It is no use after the event, unless you have a means to save information, which they have… If you feel threatened report it…

The PLA now has an online newspaper… This is called Tidal Thames News. You can find it at www.tidalthamesnews.co.uk