No hire boats on tidal Thames

THE Port of London Authority has asked hire companies that were encouraging hirers to use the tidal Thames to cease these operations until further notice.

This is the result of such a hire boat being swept by the tide into a houseboat at Dove Pier (Narrowboat crashes in Thames tide) that was the latest of a series of incidents involving hire boats, whose crews had no knowledge of tidal waters and were not equipped.

Without experience

Hire companies are encouraging their hirers to complete 'rings' including using the Tidal Thames below Brentford claims the PLA, without experience of tidal waterways or approval from PLA.

These hire companies have been asked to cease these operations until further notice, with all boaters being reminded that a number of factors must be considered when navigating a tidal waterway.