Assessment of Boatyard Facilities on the River Thames - Mayor of ...

Boat Repair facilities
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The yard undertakes ‘quite a lot’ <strong>of</strong> repair. Up to 8 – 9 staff work on repairs including
hired in sub-contractors. All boats are taken out <strong>of</strong> the water using a hired-in crane.
Large boats are repaired on hard standings within the marina small boats can be
worked on in the workshop. Generally London City Airport seeks to restrict height <strong>of</strong>
cranes to 15 metres but can go up to 17 metres. Relationships with London City
Airport are very good. The Marina always contacts LCR before the use <strong>of</strong> cranes and
LCR always gives approval.
LCR is required to close for 14 hours each weekend (currently closed between 12.30
pm Saturday to 12.30 pm Sunday) and this provides a window <strong>of</strong> opportunity for big
lifts.
The Marina works in conjunction with specialist boat-lift firms to provide a service for
the boat show at Excel to bring in boats by trailer and store them prior to exhibition
at the London Boat Show.
The Marina does not undertake much regular work for Thames passenger boats but
emergency work is undertaken. For example the Londinium is coming in to
investigate something that is suspected to be wrapped around the propeller. The
Marina lock will be used as a wet dock and PLA divers will go down to inspect the
propeller.
On being told that owners <strong>of</strong> larger passenger vessels <strong>of</strong>ten made use <strong>of</strong> Denton
slipways at Gravesend Mr. Miller said that Dentons is too far away down river for
vessels that have a problem such as something wrapped around the propeller.
The Marina lock
Note <strong>of</strong> Meeting with Eric Miller <strong>of</strong>
Gallions Point Marina
11th January 2007
This is operated by the Marina and provides access to the River Thames about 5
hours either side <strong>of</strong> high water for vessels <strong>of</strong> up to 1 metre draught. There is an outer
flood defence barrier that is operated by the Marina following a phone call to the
Environment Agency.
Charges for use <strong>of</strong> the lock are £5 - £10 and these are passed to the Royal Docks
Management Authority (RoDMA) who are responsible for the Royals infrastructure.
The Marina provides access to the River Thames for training exercises for the two
LCR rescue craft (2 x 6.5 metre rigid inflatable boats). However, the lock would not
provide suitable access in an emergency as it takes about 20 minutes for vessels to
lock through.
The idea <strong>of</strong> a covered drydock slipway on part <strong>of</strong> the Newham College site
Mr Miller said that he would welcome more in the way <strong>of</strong> facilities in this location. It
would provide more marine repair employment and help to replace the loss <strong>of</strong>
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Boatyard</strong> <strong>Facilities</strong> on the River Thames Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd - April 2007