London : Profile

Clearance

Thames Barrier
Tel:020 8855 0315, VHF Channel 14, 22, 16
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. 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 three marinas to choose from, all 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 new 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 new premises visiting sailors are welcome. Its excellent reference library should make it the natural choice for any cruising sailor.

Chelsea Harbour Marina
Estate Management Office, C2-3 The Chambers, London SW10 0XF
Tel:020 7225 9108, Fax:020 7352 7868, VHF Channel 80
paul.ray@chelsea-harbour.co.uk
Located in the heart of South West London. 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
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.

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'
www.bwml.co.uk
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. Access to Regents Canal & Lee Navigation. Electricity, water, 24hr security, launderette, pumpout facility, showers and toilets. Access to the Regent Canal and River Lee. Marina is managed by the Cruising Association who offer a discount to members.

Poplar Dock Marina
West India Dock Pierhead, 420 Manchester Road, London E14 9ST
Tel:+44 (0)20 7517 5550, Fax:+44 (0)20 7538 5537, VHF Channel 13
robyn.nielsen@bwml.co.uk
Position 51° 30' 0.62" N, 0° 0' 32.04" W. Close to Canary Wharf. 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:020 7252 2244, Fax:0207237 3806, VHF Channel 80
www.sdockmarina.co.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:020 7264 5312, Fax:020 7702 2252, VHF Channel 80 'St Katherines'
www.skdocks.co.uk, reception@skdocks.co.uk
Opening Hours: 0600-2030 (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.

St Katherine Docks
50 St Katherine's Way , London, E1W 1LA
Tel:+44 0 0207 481 1774, Fax:+44 0 0207 702 2252
property@taywood.co.uk

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]

Page Sponsor

Related Reports

New Imray Charts for summer 2008 (31 May 2008)

Oban Marina Launches New Website And Change Of Name (16 Oct 2006)

Channel Havens  (05 Apr 2006)

Report On Forth Clyde Canal (06 Feb 2006)

Evidence sought on problems concerning VAT paid status of used boats (13 Jan 2006)

New marina opens in Wales (30 Mar 2004)

Related News

Crinan Sea Lock Closure (25 Jul 2008)

DYT Announces New Routes and Voyages (12 Dec 2007)

World Cruising Club Rally Portugal 2008 Entry List Opens (23 Oct 2007)

UK Customs To Set Up New Unit For Yachts (21 May 2007)

ARC Unaffected By Demise Of Challenge Business (13 Oct 2006)

Noonsite Port of the Month – Cowes, Isle of Wight (01 Aug 2006)

Recall of All White Pains Wessex (Mk 7) Hand-Held Flares (08 May 2006)

Gibraltar's Links with UK 300 Years Old and Still Going Strong (14 Jan 2004)

World Cruising Club Announces Details of Round the World Race (09 Jun 2003)

EU extends VAT grace period for non-EU boats to 18 months (12 Aug 2001)