Port of London Authority - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The Port of London Authority (PLA) is a self-funding public trust established in 1908 by the Port of London Act to govern the Port of London

Port of London

The Port of London lies along the banks of the River Thames from London, England to the North Sea. Once the largest port in the world, it is currently the United Kingdom's second largest port, after Grimsby & Immingham...

. Its responsibility extends over the Tideway

Tideway

The Tideway is a name given to the part of the River Thames in England that is subject to tides. This stretch of water is downstream from Teddington Lock and is just under long...

of the River Thames

River Thames

The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...

and the authority is responsible for the public right of navigation and for conservancy of the river in the designated Port of London.

The authority originally operated all the enclosed dock systems on the river. With the exception of Tilbury

Port of Tilbury

The Port of Tilbury is located on the River Thames at Tilbury in Essex, England. It is the principal port for London; as well as being the main United Kingdom port for handling the importation of paper. There are extensive facilities for containers, grain, and other bulk cargoes. There are also...

, which was privatised in 1992, these have all closed to commercial traffic.

Limits

The PLA's responsibility is from a point marked by an obelisk just downstream of Teddington Lock

Teddington Lock

Teddington Lock is a complex of three locks and a weir on the River Thames in England at Ham in the western suburbs of London. The lock is on the southern Surrey side of the river....

(the upstream limit of the tidal river

Tidal river

A tidal river is a river, or more typically a stretch of a river, whose flow and level is influenced by tides. An example of a tidal river is the portion of the Connecticut River flowing from Windsor Locks, Connecticut, to the Atlantic Ocean. The Brisbane River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean...

) to where the river joins the North Sea (between Margate

Margate

-Demography:As of the 2001 UK census, Margate had a population of 40,386.The ethnicity of the town was 97.1% white, 1.0% mixed race, 0.5% black, 0.8% Asian, 0.6% Chinese or other ethnicity....

to the south and Gunfleet Lighthouse

Gunfleet Lighthouse

Gunfleet Lighthouse is a screw-pile lighthouse lying in the North Sea, six miles off the coast at Frinton-on-Sea in Essex constructed in 1850 by James Walker of Trinity House. It is 74 feet in height and hexagonal in plan; mounted on seven piles forming a steel lattice and originally painted red...

near Frinton-on-Sea

Frinton-on-Sea

Frinton-on-Sea is a small seaside town in the Tendring District of Essex, England. It is part of the Parish of Frinton and Walton.-History:...

to the north), a total of around 95 miles (150 km). The Port Authority does not cover the Medway

River Medway

The River Medway, which is almost entirely in Kent, England, flows for from just inside the West Sussex border to the point where it enters the Thames Estuary....

or the Swale

The Swale

The name The Swale refers to the strip of sea separating North Kent from the Isle of Sheppey.- History :The name "Swale" is Old English in origin, and is believed to mean "swirling, rushing river", or "rushing water"....

.

From the City of London

City of London

The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...

, via the Thames Conservancy

Thames Conservancy

The Thames Conservancy was a historical body responsible for the management of the River Thames in England. It was founded in 1857, initially replacing the jurisdiction of the City of London up to Staines and later taking responsibility for the whole river from Cricklade in Wiltshire to the sea at...

, the PLA has inherited ownership of the bed of the river and foreshore from Teddington to the Yantlet Line (between Southend

Southend-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea is a unitary authority area, town, and seaside resort in Essex, England. The district has Borough status, and comprises the towns of Chalkwell, Eastwood, Leigh-on-Sea, North Shoebury, Prittlewell, Shoeburyness, Southchurch, Thorpe Bay, and Westcliff-on-Sea. The district is situated...

and Grain

Isle of Grain

The Isle of Grain, in the north of Kent, England, is the easternmost point of the Hoo Peninsula. No longer an island, the Isle is almost all marshland and the Grain Marshes are an important habitat for birdlife...

). The PLA during much of the 20th Century owned and operated many of the docks and wharfs in the Port, however they have been privatised

Privatization

Privatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of a business, enterprise, agency or public service from the public sector to the private sector or to private non-profit organizations...

. Today the PLA acts mainly as a managing authority of the use of the tidal stretch of the River Thames, ensuring safe navigation and the well-being of the port and its activities. Comparable responsibilities for the river including, and upstream of, Teddington Lock fall to the Environment Agency

Environment Agency

The Environment Agency is a British non-departmental public body of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and an Assembly Government Sponsored Body of the Welsh Assembly Government that serves England and Wales.-Purpose:...

.

The PLA today has a number of duties which it exercises, including responsibility for river traffic control, security, navigational safety (including buoy

Buoy

A buoy is a floating device that can have many different purposes. It can be anchored or allowed to drift. The word, of Old French or Middle Dutch origin, is now most commonly in UK English, although some orthoepists have traditionally prescribed the pronunciation...

s, beacon

Beacon

A beacon is an intentionally conspicuous device designed to attract attention to a specific location.Beacons can also be combined with semaphoric or other indicators to provide important information, such as the status of an airport, by the colour and rotational pattern of its airport beacon, or of...

s, bridge lights and channel surveys), the conserving of the river (including dredging and maintaining certain river banks), encouraging use of the river (for both commercial and leisure use) and protecting its marine environment. The PLA is responsible for the operation of Richmond Lock, but it is not responsible for the operation of the Thames Barrier

Thames Barrier

The Thames Barrier is the world's second-largest movable flood barrier and is located downstream of central London. Its purpose is to prevent London from being flooded by exceptionally high tides and storm surges moving up from the sea...

which is managed by the Environment Agency

Environment Agency

in its flood management role.

Centres

The PLA originally had its headquarters on Tower Hill in the City of London

City of London

, but today has its headquarters at London River House and Royal Terrace Pier

Royal Terrace Pier

Royal Terrace Pier is owned and managed by the Port of London Authority and is located adjacent to their headquarters at London River House in Gravesend....

in Gravesend

Gravesend, Kent

Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent, England, on the south bank of the Thames, opposite Tilbury in Essex. It is the administrative town of the Borough of Gravesham and, because of its geographical position, has always had an important role to play in the history and communications of this part of...

. The PLA retains a presence in the City however, with offices at Bakers' Hall on Harp Lane, where the Chairman, Chief Executive and Secretary of the authority are based.

Control of ship traffic on the Thames within the Port is orchestrated from two Port Control centres - one at the Thames Barrier (the Thames Barrier Navigation Centre) in Woolwich

Woolwich

Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...

, for reaches upstream of Erith

Erith

Erith is a district of southeast London on the River Thames. Erith's town centre has undergone a series of modernisations since 1961.-Pre-medieval:...

, and the other at Gravesend (the main Port Control) for reaches downstream of Erith. Both Port Control centres operate the same system for coordinating traffic within the PLA's jurisdiction of the Thames, known as Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). The system involves 16 radar

Radar

Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...

stations along the river and out in the estuary.

The PLA owns Denton Wharf and Jetty in Gravesend, which is the main base for the authority's vessels and where the PLA maintains its fleet of over 40 vessels, the team also provides lift-out and maintenance services for other River users. The PLA owns Barrier Gardens Pier

Barrier Gardens Pier

Barrier Gardens Pier is a pier on the River Thames near the Thames Barrier. It is owned and managed by the Port of London Authority which took over the pier and adjoining Unity House from the Environment Agency and Sargent Brothers in 2009....

and Unity House, located near to their control centre at the Thames Barrier which provides a convenient base for their Driftwood vessels. There are also two pilot

Maritime pilot

A pilot is a mariner who guides ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbours or river mouths. With the exception of the Panama Canal, the pilot is only an advisor, as the captain remains in legal, overriding command of the vessel....

stations at Harwich

Harwich

Harwich is a town in Essex, England and one of the Haven ports, located on the coast with the North Sea to the east. It is in the Tendring district. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the northeast, Ipswich to the northwest, Colchester to the southwest and Clacton-on-Sea to the south...

and Ramsgate

Ramsgate

Ramsgate is a seaside town in the district of Thanet in east Kent, England. It was one of the great English seaside towns of the 19th century and is a member of the ancient confederation of Cinque Ports. It has a population of around 40,000. Ramsgate's main attraction is its coastline and its main...

, which are located beyond the estuary and the Port of London. From these stations, pilots are sent out and return from large vessels entering and leaving the port.

Around 360 people are employed by the Port of London Authority.

Pier and Jetty Ownership

The PLA owns three piers and jetties on the River Thames

River Thames

as bases for their vessels and activities. They are also available for other river users to use.

Barrier Gardens Pier
Barrier Gardens Pier
Barrier Gardens Pier is a pier on the River Thames near the Thames Barrier. It is owned and managed by the Port of London Authority which took over the pier and adjoining Unity House from the Environment Agency and Sargent Brothers in 2009....

and Unity House, Woolwich
Royal Terrace Pier
Royal Terrace Pier
Royal Terrace Pier is owned and managed by the Port of London Authority and is located adjacent to their headquarters at London River House in Gravesend....

and landing stage, Gravesend
Denton Wharf and Jetty, Gravesend

Vessels

The PLA currently has three channel surveying vessels, eight launches for harbour and river patrols, and twenty other craft. Five new patrol vessels are being procured by the Authority, which have been built by shipbuilder 'Alnmaritec' in Northumberland

Northumberland

Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...

, for delivery in 2009.

Harbour Service Vessels (Present Fleet)

'Ebbsfleet'

'Benfleet'

'Gunfleet'

'Wandsworth'

'Westbourne'

'Ravensbourne II'

'Chelsea' and 'Richmond

Harbour Service Vessels (New Fleet)

'Lambeth' - The Port of London Authority (PLA) is investing £2 million in a fleet of five new, specially designed harbour patrol/pilotage launches. The Authority has patrolled the river since it was formed 100 years ago, to help river users with navigational safety. The first of the new launches, Lambeth, will be officially named by Elaine Dumelow, wife of Secretary of State for Transport the Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP at Westminster Boating Base on 9 June.
Why the new boats are being commissioned - The five new launches will produce benefits including: substantially reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emission; reduced wash wave generation; easier operation – the boats have been specifically designed for the roles they perform; much easier maintenance – one set of parts will do for all the boats and improved reliability and availability, using innovative engineering to design out known sources of equipment failure.
About the design - The design of the new launches is the product of five years of careful research and development, aimed at equipping the harbour and pilotage services with the most modern and efficient vessels for the job. Similar, award winning twin-hulled vessels were successfully introduced for the PLA’s patrolling duties up river of Putney, two years ago. The new launches will replace seven relatively heavy, well used boats, each different from the other (hull, engine and electrics).
Basic details - Built by: Alnmaritec, based in Alnwick, Northumberland, Hull type: Aluminium catamaran, with deep vee hull form, designed by Newcastle University. Hull structure designed by Amgram Limited. Dimensions: 13.5m long, overall and 4.8m wide. Weight: 11 tonnes. Maximum speed: 21 knots (24 mph). Patrol speed: 18 knots (20.5 mph). Engines: Two John Deere 200 horsepower marine diesel engines - installed power of 400 HP

Marine Services Vessels

The PLA's Marine Services operation maintains a fleet of over 40 vessels covering a range of services - from diving to salvage, from mooring maintenance to pollution control - if an incident should occur.
The Marine Service vessels and team are managed by: Geoff Buckby - Marine Services Manager, Jim Denby - Deputy Marine Services Manager, Alan Cartwright - Marine Engineer, Andrew McKay - Civil Engineer and Garry Shaw - Navigation Systems Engineer.

'Hookness' and 'Crossness' - These are purpose built salvage ships built by James W Cook and Company in the late 1960s. They are 38.9m long with a maximum draught of 2.98m and displace 120 tonnes. Power is supplied by twin Caterpillar 3406B engines, each giving 300 bhp, and they are capable of a maximum of 9 knots. Based at Gravesend, the ships are equipped for a wide range of duties from lifting obstructions to maintenance of larger moorings. Each has a bow lift capability of 120 tonnes and this is doubled when both vessels are used in tandem. Each vessel is accompanied by an 8.5m open workboat, built by Wickham Marine Limited.

'Driftwood II' and 'Driftwood III' - The Driftwood craft were built by Delta Shipyard for the PLA in 1989 and 1990 respectively. Powered by twin Caterpillar 3306 DITAengines giving 235 bhp, they are capable of a maximum speed of 8 knots. Each is 14.4m in length, with a draught of 1.35m and displacement of 62 tonnes. Their main function is the collection of driftwood and other debris from the River but they are also equipped with hydraulic cranes, burning gear and salvage pumps. Each craft is accompanied by a Dory tender, capable of 25 knots.

'Impulse' - 'Impulse' is a steel pusher tug built in 1994 by David Abels of Bristol. Powered by twin Caterpillar 3306D engines of 235 bhp, the vessel is 14m in length with a draught of 1.5m and displaces 40 tonnes. Used for a wide variety of driftwood and other tasks, she is equipped with a hydraulic crane and salvage pump.

'PLA Diver' - This vessel is based at Gravesend and is equipped for Marine Services and commercial surface diving operations. Built in 1992 by Searle Williams on a Blyth 33 hull, she is powered by twin Volvo TAMD 63L engines of 318 bhp which give a top speed of 25 knots. Overall length is 10m, with a draught of 1.0m and a displacement of 7 tonnes.

'Recover' - This TOSCA vessel was built by Prout Catermarans of Essex on a 'Panther 61' hull of 16.5m. Twin Caterpillar 3406E engines each give 700 bhp and a top speed of 21 knots. This unique vessel carries a Lamor brush pack system for collecting oil from the surface of water.

'Respond' - This second TOSCA vessel was built by RTK Marine Ltd of Poole. 12.7m long, with a draught of 0.5m, she is powered by twin Volvo Penta AD/41 DP engines giving 165 bhp through outboard drives and a maximum speed of 25 knots. The vessel is equipped with a bow ramp and heavily constructed underwater hull to allow beach landings for oil clearance purposes.

'Driftwood Dory I and II' - Support craft to the Driftwoods

'Fleet' - Support craft to the Driftwoods

'Cutter One, Two and Three' - Support craft to the Hookness and Crossness

Hydrographic Surveying Vessels

'Verifier' - This vessel was built in 1989 and converted by Damen Trading of Holland for hydrographic use after she was acquired by the PLA in 2001. With a length of 20.6m, Verifier has a deep vee hull designed by Amgram/Carmac and a modified superstructure to provide accommodation for the survey team and specialist equipment. Powered by twin Caterpillar 3412TA engines of 1,150 bhp and with a top speed of 26 knots, the vessel is ideal for high speed deployment to the outer Thames estuary. A hydraulic auto-pilot steering system can be used when surveying at speeds of up to 12 knots. The ship is equipped with a comprehensive array of electronic survey equipment, including a sophisticated multi-beam hydrographic swath echo-sounder, a 1.2 tonne hydraulic crane and, at the stern, a 3 tonne electric winch for deploying remote survey sensors.

'Yantlet' - This vessel is a Nelson 44 catamaran built by Souter Marine in 1995. Of 13.4 m in length, with a draught of 1.0m and displacement of 18.5 tonnes, she is equipped with twin Cummins 6CTA 8.3 engines giving a total of 860 bhp and a maximum speed of 22 knots through Vosper Thorneycroft shallow draught waterjets. Yantlet is also equipped with a multi-beam hydrographic echo-sounder and sophisticated data processing equipment.

'Galloper' - Is a new shallow drafted catamaran the from the Cheetah Marine yard on the Isle of Wight. The vessel has a shallow draft of 30cms and a moonpool for deployment of Multibeam equipment. Allied with twin Honda 135 hp outboard engines, this configuration will enable 'Galloper' to reach speeds of up to 30 knots, thus maximising time on site and acquisition time which can be crucial when surveying busy ports or tidally-constrained waters. The new vessel is fitted with the newest high resolution RESON SeaBat 7125 MBES system. This will increase the resolution capability for support surveys.

The Board

The PLA is controlled by a Board. The chief officials of the Authority are at present -

Chairman of the Board: Helen Alexander CBE.

The Board Members: William Everard CBE, Rodney Lenthall, Peter Matthews OBE, John Mills CBE, Pommy Sarwal, Scott Steedman, Richard Everitt, David Snelson

David Snelson

Rear Admiral David George Snelson CB is a former Royal Navy officer who became Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces.-Naval career:Snelson joined the Royal Navy in 1969...

CB FNI and Brian Chapman, FCMA.

The PLA's Executive Committee:

Chief Executive: Richard Everitt

Director of Marine Operations: Peter Steen

Chief Harbour Master: David Snelson

David Snelson

Rear Admiral David George Snelson CB is a former Royal Navy officer who became Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces.-Naval career:Snelson joined the Royal Navy in 1969...

Director of Human Resources: Glenn Witham

Director of Corporate Affairs: Alistair Gale

Chief Financial Officer: Brian Chapman

Secretary and General Counsel: Bob Crighton

PLA Harbour Masters:

Chief Harbour Master: David Snelson

The Lower District: Roy Stanbrook (Harbour Master (Lower)) and Chris McQueen (Deputy Harbour Master (Lower))

The Upper District: David Phillips (Harbour Master (Upper)), Terry Lawrence (Deputy Harbour Master (Upper)), Steve Rushbrook (Deputy Harbour Master (Upper)) and Alex Brown (Assistant Harbour Master (Richmond))

Safety Management System: Julian Parkes (Harbour Master (SMS)) and Mark Towens (Deputy Harbour Master (SMS))

Traditions

An historic honour is that the Lord Mayor of London

Lord Mayor of London

The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...

, the chief dignitary of the City of London

City of London

, is ex officio the Admiral of the Port of London.

A defaced blue ensign

Blue Ensign

The Blue Ensign is a flag, one of several British ensigns, used by certain organisations or territories associated with the United Kingdom. It is used either plain, or defaced with a badge or other emblem....

exists for the PLA, who fly it on their own vessels. The Authority also have coat of arms

Coat of arms

A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...

and a flag. Pennant

Pennon

A pennon was one of the principal three varieties of flags carried during the Middle Ages . Pennoncells and streamers or pendants are considered as minor varieties of this style of flag. The pennon is a flag resembling the guidon in shape, but only half the size...

s exist for the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

The authority's armorial bearings were granted in August 1909. The blazon

Blazon

In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct the appropriate image...

or heraldic description is as follows:

Azure, issuing from a castle argent, a demi-man vested, holding in the dexter hand a drawn sword, and in the sinister a scroll Or, the one representing the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...

, the other the figure of St Paul, the patron saint of London.
Crest: On a wreath of the colours, an ancient ship Or, the main sail charged with the arms of the City of London.
Supporters: On either side a sea-lion argent, crined, finned and tufted or, issuing from waves of the sea proper, that to the sinister grasping the banner of King Edward II
Edward II of England
Edward II , called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed by his wife Isabella in January 1327. He was the sixth Plantagenet king, in a line that began with the reign of Henry II...

; the to the sinister the banner of King Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...

The Latin

Latin

Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...

motto on the is "Floreat Imperii Portvs", or "Let the imperial port flourish".

Port of London Authority Police

For much of the 20th Century, the Port of London Authority Police existed to police the Port of London, but today the port is policed by a number of forces. These are the local Home Office

Home Office

The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...

forces of the areas the Thames passes through (the Metropolitan

Metropolitan police

Metropolitan Police is a generic title for the municipal police force for a major metropolitan area, and it may be part of the official title of the force...

, City of London

City of London Police

The City of London Police is the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement within the City of London, England, including the Middle and Inner Temple. The service responsible for law enforcement within the rest of Greater London is the Metropolitan Police Service, a separate...

, Essex

Essex Police

Essex Police is a territorial police force responsible for policing the county of Essex in the east of England.It is one of the largest non-metropolitan police forces in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 3,600 police officers and operating across an area of over and with a population of...

and Kent

Kent Police

Kent Police is the territorial police force for Kent in England, including the unitary authority of Medway.-Area and organisation:The force covers an area of with an approximate population of 1,660,588 . The Chief Constable is currently Ian Learmonth, who was appointed in 2010 and is the former...

constabularies) and the Port of Tilbury Police

Port of Tilbury Police

The Port of Tilbury Police is a small, specialised police force responsible for policing the Port of Tilbury, owned by the Port of Tilbury London Ltd, a subsidiary of Forth Ports plc. Known before 1992 as the Port of London Authority Police, at over 200 years old, it claims to be the oldest police...

(formed in 1992 and a remnant of the old PLA force). The Metropolitan police have a special Marine Support Unit, formerly known as the Thames Division, which patrol and police the Thames in the Greater London area. A sixth police force in the Port may be established with the creation of the London Gateway

London Gateway

London Gateway is a major new development under construction on the north bank of the River Thames in Thurrock, Essex. It comprises a large new deep-water port, which will be able to handle the biggest container ships in the world, as well as one of Europe’s largest logistics parks, providing...

port.

Future

In June 2010, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician, who has been the elected Mayor of London since 2008...

has proposed that the PLA be merged into the wider Greater London Authority

Greater London Authority

The Greater London Authority is the top-tier administrative body for Greater London, England. It consists of a directly elected executive Mayor of London, currently Boris Johnson, and an elected 25-member London Assembly with scrutiny powers...

to make it more accountable to Londoners.

External links

Port of London - the website of the Port of London Authority
- Boating on the Thames
OPLAC - the website of the Organisation of Port of London Authority Customers

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.

Limits

Centres

Pier and Jetty Ownership

Vessels

Harbour Service Vessels (Present Fleet)

Marine Services Vessels

Hydrographic Surveying Vessels

The Board

Traditions

Port of London Authority Police

Future

See also

External links