The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 153
Tourist and party boats, piers and moorings
4D.6 While noise from the engines of modern craft, or their passage through
the water, has reduced, incidental or associated activities can cause
annoyance. Public address systems, particularly loudspeaker commentaries
to tourists on riverboats, can annoy Thames-side residents or workers,
although investment in new vessels is helping to reduce this problem. Late
night noise from ‘party boats’ - entertainment noise more often associated
with pubs and clubs - can cause particular annoyance to those in riverside
housing. Conflicts along the Thames could potentially increase.
Box 49: London River Services
London River Services, part of Transport for London, operates a number
of piers. It licenses a range of scheduled and chartered riverboat services
which use those piers. Operators of party boats are required to fit noise
limiting devices to amplification equipment to enable noise to be
controlled by the person in charge of the vessel, and to take other
measures to control noise. Party boats, however, also operate from other
privately owned piers.
4D.7 The Port of London Act 1968, section 162, gives the Port of London
Authority power to make byelaws. The Port of London River Byelaws
1978 (as amended) include provisions against intoxication or causing
unreasonable noise. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency requires the
fitting of noise limiters for safe navigation purposes, notably to prevent
interference with on-board communication. Ensuring that such equipment
is maintained and operated in such a way as to control noise nuisance,
such as from an on-board disco, can be problematic. The London Port
Health Authority undertakes launch-based patrols, and works jointly with
riparian local authorities, the Port of London Authority and the
Metropolitan Police to deal with noise from party boats. The London Port
Health Authority has general powers under the Environmental Protection
Act 1990 to take action against excessive noise on the river on grounds of
nuisance. However, it is much more difficult to establish a specific case of
noise nuisance related to a boat moving on the river than a public house.
4D.8 The Licensing Act 2003 rectifies the anomaly whereby alcohol sales and
public entertainment on moving vessels were not licensed like land-based
activities. The Act will require craft to be treated for licensing purposes as
if they were premises situated in the place where they are usually moored
or berthed. It is important that regulations and guidance implementing
the Licensing Act 2003 fully address the specific issues associated with
managing noise and other issues on riverboats which operate along the
Thames. It is likely to be more efficient and cost-effective for Thames
riverboat licensing and enforcement to be carried out by a single body