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

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2.3 Thames passenger boat operators also make use <strong>of</strong> boatyards on other parts
<strong>of</strong> the River Thames, the Medway and East Coast ports. Refits <strong>of</strong> larger vessels such
as the Woolwich ferries or HMS Belfast may take place further afield around the coast
(most recently at Hull and Portsmouth respectively). The key sites outside Greater
London used by passenger boat operators and waste operators are set out in Table
2.2.
Table 2.2
The key boatyards on the Thames outside Greater London, Medway and East
Coast ports used by passenger boat operators and waste operators
<strong>Boatyard</strong>
(1) Environment Agency Dry
Dock, Sunbury
(2) R J Turk and Sons,
Sunbury
(40) Berth 21, Tilbury Docks
(42) Denton Ship Repairs,
Gravesend
(43) Denton Wharf, Gravesend
(44) No. 7 Covered Slipway,
Chatham Historic Dockyard
(5) Lay Construction,
Gravesend
Gillingham Marina
A&P Dry Dock, Ramsgate
George Prior, Ipswich
Acorn Shipyard, Rochester
Comment
The Environment Agency has marketed the adjoining
yard for residential development but the dry dock is still
available for third party use. Passenger boat operators
book the facility up to three years ahead. Used by R J
Turk and Sons and other up river operators. Residential
development could prejudice heavy engineering
operations on the site.
Site sold by Turks. Planning permission for residential
development on street frontage and live / work unit in
boatyard. Remains to be seen if facility will become
available again.
Not a boatyard but currently being used by Woods River
Cruises for £2M refit <strong>of</strong> the Silver Sturgeon
No change but subject <strong>of</strong> proposals for waterfront mixed
use / residential development on either side <strong>of</strong> site by
Gravesham Borough Council. Objected to by PLA (see
below)
PLA has improved facilities to include new workshops,
hoist dock, hardstandings and grit blasting facility for
buoys and small craft. Now makes facilities available to
third parties. The PLA has objected to Gravesham
Borough Council’s proposals for residential development
between Denton Slipway and Denton Wharf.
Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust has renovated the shell
<strong>of</strong> this building at a cost <strong>of</strong> £3M. R J Turk and Sons is
fitting it out to bring it back into use for boat repair. It is
marketing the facility to Thames passenger boat
operators.
Was building fast ferries for White Horse Ferries in 1999
but both operations have ceased and the site is being
redeveloped for other uses.
A modern high quality facility used by PLA and Thames
Clippers - restricted to 25m loa vessels.
One <strong>of</strong> the few dry docks large enough for the biggest
Thames vessels but on an exposed and restricted site.
A&P Ramsgate has gone into liquidation – likely to reopen
with new operator.
Was used by Woods River Cruises for Silver Sturgeon in
1999. Has closed down since.
Particularly used for fabricating and restoring piers and
pontoons. Threatened by Rochester Riverside
development. Reprieved but housing is being built in the
surrounding area that was previously in commercial /
wharf use.
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Boatyard</strong> <strong>Facilities</strong> on the River Thames Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd - April 2007