London & The River Thames : Profile

Clearance

Thames Flood Barrier
Tel:+44(0)20 8855 0315, VHF Channel 14, 22, 16
http://www.pla.co.uk/display_fixedpage.cfm/id/873/site/
Opening Hours: Routine information broadcast on Ch 14 at H+15 and H+45
In-bound up the Thames, vessels must call the Thames Barrier, call sign, 'Woolwich Radio' on VHF channel 14, when passing Crayford Ness, giving their ETA at the Barrage. At Margaret Ness they should obtain confirmation of clearence to proceed. Green lighted arrows indicate which gates are open. Out-bound vessels follow the same proceedure at Tower Bridge and Blackwall Point.
The barrage is completely closed once a month for about 3 hours and for a whole tide once a year in September/October.
Maintenance closures 2010
Thu 15 Apr 0810–1040
Mon 17 May 0935–1205
Thu 15 Jun 0935–1205
Wed 14 Jul 0930–1230
Thu 12 Aug 0915–1145
Mon 11 Oct 0940–1210
The piers are numbered 1 to 9 and the spans lettered A to K. Spans A, H, J & K are NOT navigable. C to F are for larger ships and B (out-bound) and G (in-bound) are for yachts and smaller vessels.
The transit must be made under power, with the sails lowered.

Docking

For those who wish to take their boat right into the heart of London, there are now several marinas to choose from, several within a relatively short distance of the centre. St Katharine's Dock, right by the Tower of London, is the best known. Only half a mile downstream, there are two marinas, South Dock Marina, on the south shore of the Thames, and Limehouse Basin Marina, on the north shore. The latter is also the home of the Cruising Association, in whose premises visiting sailors are most welcome. Its excellent reference library should make it the natural choice for any cruising sailor.

Further down stream, the new marina at Gravesend is a useful base when approaching or leaving the centre of the Capital, being 23NM from Tower Bridge. Several of the old commercial docks now house yacht marinas too.

It is important to to keep clear of the freight terminal at Canvey, Shellhaven and Coryton and the London Gateway Port Reclamation Area at Thames Haven. This includes the jetties at Thames Haven. (updated May 2009).

Anchoring
Between Gravesend and Tower Bridge there are no recommended anchorages in the river. The strong tides, the commercial traffic and the number of broken piles and other ancient debris along the banks, all form reasons to avoid doing so.

Bray Marina
Monkey Islane Lane, Bray, Berkshire SL6 2EB
Tel:+44(0)1628 623654, Fax:+44(0)1628 773485, VHF Channel 80
bray@mdimarinas.co.uk
400 berth marina situated in country park setting with direct access to the Thames. Riverside Brasserie, chandlery and engineering services.

Brentford Dock Marina
2 Justine Close, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 8QE
Tel:+44(0)20 8232 8941 - Mob 07920 143 987, Fax:+44(0)20 8560 5486
sam.langton@brentford-dock.co.uk
Situated on the River Thames at the junction with the Grand Union Canal. Hydaulic lock is accessible for up to 2.5 hours either side of HW, although boats over 9.5m LOA enter on high water by prior arrangement only. Grocery store on site.

Chelsea Harbour Marina
Estate Management Office, C2-3 The Chambers, London SW10 0XF
Tel:+44(0)20 7225 9108 - 07770542783, Fax:+44(0)20 7352 7868, VHF Channel 80
harbourmaster@chelsea-harbour.co.uk
Located in the heart of South West London accessed via the Thames Flood Barrier in Woolwich Reach. Basin gates operate one and a half hours either side of HW (+20 minutes) at London Bridge. Marina welcomes visiting yachts. Many facilities.

Gallions Point Marina
Gate 14, Royal Albert Basin,, Woolwich Manor Way, North Woolwich,, London E16 2QY.
Tel:+44 (0)20 7476 7054, Fax:+44 (0)20 7474 7056 , VHF Channel 37, 80
info@gallionspointmarina.co.uk
500 metres downstream of the Woolwich Ferry on north side of Gallions Reach accessed via lock at the entrance to Royal Albert Basin. Deep water pontoon moorings, hardstanding facilities, repairs, maintenance and valeting service, adjacent slipway. All facilities, LPG, 24hr security. Lock into King George V lock operates HW +/- 5hrs. This is the entrance to the new London exhibition centre, ExCel.

Gillingham Marina
173 Pier Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 1UB
Tel:+44(0)1634 280022, Fax:+44(0)1634 280164, VHF Channel 80
berthing@gillingham-marina.co.uk
Locked basin accessible 4.5 hours either side of HW. Deep water moorings in the river cater for yachts arriving at other times. Contact marina in advance. Well stocked chandlery, brokerage and extensive workshop.

Gravesend Sailing Club
Promenade East, Gravesend, Kent DA12 2RN
Tel:+44(0)1474 533974 (clubhouse), Fax:+44(0)7506 367699
secretary@gravesendsailingclub.co.uk
Deep water and drying moorings, clubhouse, toilets, showers, visitor’s mooring.

Hermitage Community Moorings
16 Wapping High Street, London E1W 1NG
Tel:+44(0)207 481 2122
manager@hcmoorings.org
Thames North Bank, 600m downstream of Tower Bridge. Predominantly residential mooring. Two all tide visitor berths available (up to 40m). Short stays, up to 2 weeks per month. Water, electricity, pump-out, WC/shower. Draft restrictions. Contact manager 09:30-18:00 for further details and bookings.

Limehouse Marina
48 Goodhart Place, , London E14 8EG
Tel:+44 (0)207 308 9930, Fax:+44 (0)207 363 0428, VHF Channel 80 'Limehouse Marina'
Situated where the canal system meets the Thames. Entry is via a swing bridge/lock HW+/-3hrs 0800 to 1800 April-October, 0800-1630(November-March). Other times by prior arrangement. Waiting pontoon by the lock LW+/-1.5hrs. All facilities, pump-out, launderette, Wi-Fi, Security. Access to Regents Canal & Lee Navigation. This is a British Waterways Marina. For long term berthing vessels are required to undergo a British Safety Scheme Exam (see www.boatsafetyscheme.com for details). The headquarters of the Cruising Association, with its excellent research library, are here. Visitors are welcome.

Penton Hook Marina
Staines Road, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 8PY
Tel:+44(0)1932 568681, Fax:+44(0)1932 567423, VHF Channel 80
pentonhook@mdlmarinas.co.uk
Situated on the River Thames close to Chertsey and about a mile downstream of Runnymede. Unrestricted access to the Thames via a deep water channel below Penton Hook Lock and can accommodate ocean-going craft up to 21m LOA.

Poplar Dock Marina
Boardwalk Place, London, E14 5SH
Tel:+44(0)2073 089930 , Fax:+44(0)2073 630428
robyn.nielsen@bwml.co.uk
The 90 berth marina has been designed to offer boaters the highest quality facilities available in terms of safety, security, comfort and style. It is within easy reach of a host of specialist shops, restaurants, pubs and attractions on the Canary Wharf Estate, and central London is just minutes away on the Jubilee Line and the Docklands Light Railway. All facilities, pump-out, laundry.

South Dock Marina
1 mile above Greenwich , and 2.5 miles below Tower Bridge, Rope Street, Plough Way, London SE16 7SZ
Tel:+44(0)20 7252 2244 - Mob 07950 805509, Fax:+44(0)207237 3806, VHF Channel 37, 80
christopher.magro@southwark.gov.uk
Baltic Quay building with 5 arched rooftops makes a useful landmark for this marina. Access is via a lock HW-2.5 to HW+1.5 There is a waiting pontoon at Greenland Pier. 200 berth secure marina with full facilities Some repair facilities, 20 ton crane, chandlery, launderette, restaurant and bar.

St Katharine Haven (by Tower Bridge)
50 St Katharine's Way, London, E1W 1LA
Tel:+44(0)20 7264 5312, Fax:+44(0)20 7702 2252, VHF Channel 80 'St Katherines'
haven.reception@skdocks.co.uk
Opening Hours: 06:00-20:30 (summer), 0800-1800(winter)
Access is via a swing bridge/lock HW -2/+1.5 hrs. Waiting bouys just downstream. Beware of cross tides when approaching the lock. The lock is shut Tuesdays and Wednesdays Nov to Feb. Facilities include toilets, showers, chandlery, pumpout, gas, bar, restaurant, supermarket, launderette.

The Embankment Marina
Albion Parade, , Gravesend, Kent DA12 2RN
Tel:+44 1474 535700 , VHF Channel 80 "EmbankmentMarina"
enquiries@theembankmentmarina.net
Accessed by a lock (see separate entry). Visitors' berths available. Max. draft 2m. All facilities, fuel berth, shore storage. Adjacent to Gravesend Sailing Club. 10 minutes walk from centre of Gravesend.

The Embankment marina Lock
Tel:+44 1474 535700 , VHF Channel 80 "Embankment Marina"
The lock operates approximately one hour before HW Tilbury when it occurs in lock operating times. Exact lock opening times are dependent on Thames tide heights and visitors are advised to check in advance with the Lock Office for any particular tide.

The lock keeper is in attendance during the summer period 1st April - 31st October at each high tide between the hours of 08.00 - 20.00. During the winter period the Lock keeper will attend between 10.00 - 16.00. Locking out of hours by arrangement.

Windsor Marina
Maidenhead Road, Windsort, Berkshire SL4 5TZ
Tel:+44(0)1753 853911, Fax:+44(0)1753 868195, VHF Channel 80
windsor@mdlmarinas.co.uk
Situated on the outskirts of Windsor on south bank of River Thames. Includes Windsor Yacht Club as well as boat lifting and repair facilities, chandlery and brokerage.

Yacht Clubs

Cruising Association
1 Northey Street, Limehouse Basin, London E14 8BT
Tel:020 7537 2828, Fax:020 7537 2266
office@cruising.org.uk
Opening Hours: 1130-1500 & 1700-2300(Mon-Fri), 1130-2300 Sat, 1200-1500 &1900-2230(Sun)
Welcomes visiting yachtsmen and offers temporary membership. Bar and restaurant. Any member wishing to become a member of the Baltic Section and receive details of its programme of activities should contact the Honorary Section Secretaries who are listed in the CA Yearbook.

Greenwich Yacht Club
Peartree Wharf, 1Peartree Way, Greenwich, London SE10 0BW
Tel:+44(0)20 8858 7339, Fax:+44(0)20 8858 7339
Secretary@gyconline.plus.com
Deepwater moorings for boats up to 12m, clubhouse, toilets, showers, slipway, boatyard for DIY mainentance. Call for possibility of a visitor’s mooring.

Hurlingham Yacht Club
London
Tel:+44(0)20 8788 5547

Little Ship Club
Bell Wharf Lane, Upper Thames Street

St Katharine Haven (by Tower Bridge) [see above]

Windsor Marina [see above]

Windsor Yacht Club
The Clubhouse, Windsor Marina, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berks SL4 5TZ
Tel:+44(0)1753 858381
Based at Windsor Marina

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