TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH NAUTICAL CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS

1 PASSAGE PLANNING USING THIS GUIDE PLA Website

LGW Website Port of Tilbury Website Harwich Website Crouch Website Medway Website
This guide is to assist the mariner to construct a passage plan within the Thames River Much of the above information can be found by reference to the Tide Tables Ship Towage

MARINERS' PASSAGE PLANNING & ROUTEING GUIDE

and Estuary. It contains much of the information that a mariner may require but more Port of London website www.pla.co.uk and the PLA's annually
information for the preparation, updating and execution of Port Passage Plans may be published Handbook of Tide Tables and Port Information.
found in: PLA General Directions
* UK Admiralty Saing Directions- Dover Pilot General information and advice on passage planning is
* Appropriate Guides to Port Entry contained in SOLAS chapter V regulation 34, IMO Guidelines
* UK Admiralty List of Radio Signals, Volume 6 for Voyage Planning and the International Chamber of Shipping,

- THAMES ESTUARY & RIVER TO LONDON BRIDGE

* World VTS Guide Bridge Procedures Guide.
* River Byelaws and Dangerous Substances in Bulk Byelaws
* PLA General Directions and Pilotage Directions Mariners are reminded that it is a requirement to have a
* Tidal information and local constraints berth-to-berth passage plan, which will include a port Passage Plan.
* Current PLA and Admiralty Notices to Mariners Even when a pilot is on board, the bridge team must assist him/her
* Code of Practice for Ship Towage Operations on the Thames and keep an accurate check on the navigation, so the plan should
* Half-hourly VHF navigational information broadcasts from VTS Centres cover the whole passage, including the piloted sections.

Sunk
Pilot Station

Walton Sunk Centre

Tide Gauge

ute
Ro
Sunk VTS Area
see Admiralty Chart 5500

ter
Routeing Guide

Wa
Trinity

Su

eep

te
Lo nk

ou
kD
nd VT

R
er
Su n
on S

at
V T : VH

W
Southend Longsand

ep
Tide Gauge S: F Head East

De
So u VH 14 Longsand
the

ity
Head
nd F

in
An c S m a 69

Tr
hor ll Sh
age i ps e Area
Pilotag
f PLA
sion o

ea
Exten

Ar
Haven Traffic Sunk Head

e
Leigh Tower
Warning Light

ag

r of a valid
S ma
Ancho ll Ships

lot
rage

Pi
Sea Reach

with an
Thameshaven orages
Chapman Anch

int
SHM

LA
Gunfleet

VHF 68
Sea Reach South

Po
No.7 North

VHF 69
Tide Gauge end A

g
Old Lighthouse

P
sin
No 5 North n chora

os

Only to be used by vessels with a holde

of
d l
un al
ges

Cr
Secondary Channel (N)

Bo Sm

pilot exemption certificate on board or

ion
London Gateway Port

ar ded
R
Yantlet Channel int

nw en

ns
o

d
Warning Lights- gP

af m m
sin
Black Deep

te
Large Vessels all ros

Cr eco
No.2

tI
Sm d C Sea Reach

Ex
Secondary Channel (S)

R
Turning with Tugs ed un
n d Bo
Tanker Sea Reach m me ard
c o ut w No.4 North

authorised pilot embarked.

No.7 South Sea Reach Re aft O
Cr
Sea Reach
Yantlet Smal No.5 South No.3 North
l Ships Anch
orage
RIVER BLACKWATER
Mucking No.1
Sea Reach

VTS:
VTS:
No.4 South

2.)
Sea Reach

te
no
London
No.3 South

London
Gunfleet Sands

e
se
Wind Farm

ls (
ve ute.
ss e
ug Ro

Longsand Head Inshore Route:

Mucking

d ra t e r
ht
ep W a
Coaster t
Barrow Deep
oin
VHF 74
gP
Anchorage
Anchorage
Medway VTS:
g es

de eep
all ssin
ed
Sm d Cro
ore Anchora Barrow
nd Boun
Great N

D
e No.3
mm rd
c o wa
Re aft In
Cr

f or
d
ve
Richard

s er
Montgomery

Re
Haven Traffic Warning Light -
indicates movements on/off Little Nore
London Gateway Port and Small Ships
Tanker Berths Anchorage Black Deep
No.5

l
el)

ne
Sheerness nn

an
ha

Ch
Small Ships rC Black Deep
in o

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Ovens Anchorage No.6 London Array
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Sw kD g
R

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ac ra
Bl ncho

Ba
A
DW 5 PILOTAGE DIRECTIONS and BOARDING AREAS
Barrow Normally the pilot boarding area used is the one that is most appropriate to the navigation channel
Sheerness No.7 that is intended to be used.
e l
G a nn However the planned boarding area may be changed by London VTS in the event of poor weather,
RIVER MEDWAY RIVER CROUCH Ch adverse tides or other operational reasons and your passage plan should allow for this. The various
Shornmead Light ep pilot boarding diamonds shown on admiralty charts indicate a general area for boarding rather than
k De a specific point. Conflicting traffic, poor weather or other operational reasons may cause the pilot cutter
ac
Southend Bl to suggest a nearby alternative position.
Higham Bight Tide Gauge
Black Deep
No.8
Anchorage Sou Good seamanship indicates that you should not drift or anchor in the vicinity of a pilot boarding area but
t he Fi
nd R sh should remain clear until your pilot is available.
Anc Sma er
hor ll Sh Inner
m The Pilot Boarding and Landing areas at:
age ips Fisherman an
's Sunk, Tongue, NE Goodwin, NE Spit, Warp, Sea Reach No. 1 (Landing Only)
G Medway Buoy (Landing Only) and Gravesend
Black Deep
at
Haven Traffic No.9
R
Warning Light Leigh Fisherman Geographical Areas 1, 2, 2A, 3, 4 and 5, the Thames Barrier Control Zone & the Tilbury
Sma
Ancho ll Ships No.6 Lock and Approaches (Pilotage directions).
Sea Reach rage
Thameshaven orages
Chapman Anch

t
oin
Sea Reach Boarding Areas Pilotage Directions

VHF 68
No.7 North South

gP

VHF 69
Tide Gauge end A

sin
No 5 North Black Deep nchor

os
nd ll
No.11 ages

o u ma
Cr
Secondary Channel (N) Barrow Knock Outer

dB S
G
London Gateway Port John

ar ded
No.11 Fisherman
Yantlet Channel t

Inwmen
No.1 oin
Warning Lights- Knock John gP
sin

Cr ecom
Large Vessels G Tower all ros
Sm d C Sea Reach

aft
Secondary Channel (S)
London VTS: VHF 68
London VTS: VHF 14

R
Turning with Tugs ed un
nd Bo
Tanker Sea Reach m m e a rd
co utw No.4 North
No.7 South Sea Reach Re aft O Sea Reach
Yantlet Smal No.5 South
Cr
el No.3 North
l Ships Anc nn

Lo
W
horage a

nd ndon
Swin
Ch

on
Mucking No.1 R
hn

Lo
Jo Sea Reach Tongue HAZ

Arr VTS: V
VTS:
Barrow

VTS:
No12 Knock John ck No.4 South

iva
No.5
K no

l / D HF 69
G
Sea Reach

London

epa
No.3 South

London
Barrow

rture
SW
h ro m
ept ble f y
gd a

Arc
im itin avail uthorit
L ding n A
Southend
oun ndo
Mucking Pier st s f L o
Blacktail late Port o Mouse Tongue DW
Coaster int
Spit SE

VHF 74
o
Anchorage gP G
Medway VTS: orages
all ssin G
ore Anch
Sm d Cro
ed
o m
nd oun
m e rd B
a t and
s Great N
c
Re aft In
w
Southend gh gS
Crayfordness Cr rau erin rage
Tide Gauge pD Shiv ncho
Point use e ee rage A
Mo orag D
ob cho
nch Kn An Richard
London VTS: VHF 68
London VTS: VHF 14

A
Shivering Sands Towers Montgomery

VHF 68
VHF 69
Princes
h ERITH es Warp
Sea Reach orag Princes
(Reporting Point) North Tongue Sand
uge Tanker Berths South Anch Pilot Station Princes
W ater
No.5 North end A Inner Tower
No.3
nc horag Deep Princes Chan DW
Sea Reach
es Southend Sea Reach Sea Reach nel (DW) G
Long Reach Pilot Station No.1 North
Haven Traffic Warning Light - No.4 North Sea Reach
Oaze Argus Princes Princes Channel Tongue
Anchorage
indicates movements on/off
Sea Reach
No.3 North
Mid
Little Nore Princes Pilot Boarding Area
Ta Bank Outer
nk London GatewayNo.5
Port and
South W Oaze Small Ships
Co

Sea Reach Oaze R Princes

er Power Sea Reach
R
Anchorage
Princes
Be Tanker Berths No.1 South South
nta

Lines 76 HAT London TS:

rth Shivering Sands
VTS:
No.4 South No.2
London VTS:
s Sea Reach Medway Tide Gauge NE Spit
ine

Red Sand Towers

V
No.3 South
Medway VTS:
rB

Tilbury Sheerness
London

Stone Ness
Vessels requiring pilots
ert

Light Dock ges Small Ships

Broadness ore Anchora ges
Ovens Great N nchora
hs

above Crayfordness Anchorage

VHF 74
nnel A

VHF
Point Light E
s Cha
change pilots here Richard
ueen
Montgomery Kentish Flats Margate
Queen Elizabeth II Tilbury Wind Farm Q

69
Bridge 53 HAT St Clements Tide Gauge
Anchorage Thanet
Little Nore Wind Farm
Small Ships
Anchorage
Sheerness Sheerness
Small Ships Anchorage
Gravesend
Pilot Station Shornmead Light Sheerness
RIVER MEDWAY
Warning Light -
Indicates vessels RIVER MEDWAY
manoeuvring off
Tilbury GRAVESEND Higham Bight Margate Roads
NE Spit
Gravesend Lower Denton Anchorage Anchorage Pilot Boarding Area
Anchorage Tide Gauge

Four SE
Fath Margate
(Min om Cha
or Ch n
anne nel
l)
Margate
Tide Gauge

North
Foreland

MPX

Haven Traffic
Barking DAGENHAM Warning Light
Creek Barking
NE Goodwin
Pilot Boarding Area
Entrance Sea Reach
Creek Thameshaven orages
Chapman Anch

in t
Anchorage

Po
No.7 North
Tide Gauge 6

g
sin
os
d l
un al
Cr
Second

Bo Sm
London Gateway Port

rd ed
wa d
Yantle

In en
Crossness Warning Lights-

aft mm
Large Vessels

Cr eco
Point ADMIRALTY and PLA CHARTS Second
London VTS: VHF 68
London VTS: VHF 14

R
Turning with Tugs
London Regents Canal Thamesmead Halfway
Anchorage
2 ROUTING: GENERAL RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS http://www.pla.co.uk/assets/pla-general-directions-v10.pdf Princes
Tanker Sea Reach
Anchorage Anchorage Inner No.7 South
Bridge Tower Pier Margaretness Shivering Sands Towers Yantlet Sm
Point International Collision Regulations Wash restriction Exclusion zones all Ship
Tide Gauge Medway Tides
London City Airport Princes Princes
The International Regulations for prevention of collision at sea apply throughout the Mariners are reminded that there is a general responsibility to pass berthed vessels, No vessel shall, except in an emergency or with the prior permission of the Mucking No.1 No7
West Thames River and Estuary area. All the charted channels in the Thames Estuary and tugs and tows and other vulnerable vessels and craft without creating excessive wash. Harbour Master: DW outward Mid
Vessel Traffic All Vessels inw
India the Thames River are considered to be “Narrow Channels”where Rule 9 applies. This a) enter any Exclusion Zone established in the Thames from time to time by ard
Tower Silvertown Management Note: Shallow draft
Dock rule states: the Harbour Master, routes outward
Bridge 42 HAT Tide Gauge London City Airport
a) A vessel proceeding along a narrow channel must keep to starboard. Use of VHF b) approach within 60 metres of any oil or gas jetty,
(open) West Cable b) Small vessels or sailing vessels must not impede (larger) vessels which can c) approach within 50 metres of any wind turbine tower (except for the
India Dock Car navigate only within a narrow channel (or which are manoeuvring for a berth). Vessels should maintain a continuous listening watch on the VHF channel appropriate purposes of construction or maintenance).
Vessel Traffic Management Note:
Anchorage c) Ships must not cross a channel if to do so would impede another vessel to the VTS area where the ship is navigating or lying.
Tower Bridge Vessel Traffic 3 TIDAL INFORMATION Tidal Information Tidal App
which can navigate only within that channel Restricted Visibility
Management Note: Prior to a vessel’
s departure from a berth, pier or anchorage, the VHF channel
Thames With reference to this rule your passage plan should show a track to the
London appropriate to that VTS area shall be monitored for information that may affect the safe “Restricted Visibility”means all circumstances when visibility Mucking
is less than 0.5 nautical London VTS monitors the real time tide information from tide gauges located
Charlton Barrier starboard side of the channel not one down the centre of the channel.
miles.
Cable Car navigation of the vessel, including the routine half -hourly information broadcast made Coaster t throughout the Estuary and River. The tide height, above chart datum, at these
Tide Gauge oin
London VTS may, using all available information, decide that Restricted Visibility
Anchorage gP
Which navigation channel to use immediately prior to the intended departure time. all ssin gauges, is broadcast at the regular broadcast times. The position of the gauges is
Sm Cro
exists in a particular area or at a particular time or is likely to exist and inform ded und
shown on the passage planning charts. Additional tidal information can be obtained
en Bo
The Port of London requires ships to use the channel most appropriate to the vessel’ s shipping as appropriate. mm rd
co wa
Thames Barrier Control Zone When using VHF radio to talk ship to ship to organise passing, overtaking and traffic Re aft In on request to London VTS and is also available through the website www.pla.co.uk
Crayfordness size and destination, not just the deepest, widest channel because it is there. Traffic is A reporting vessel which is not equipped with an operational radar shall Cr not navigate
Erith management issues the appropriate port VTS VHF channel should be used so that or the PLA Tidal Thames App
THAMES BARRIER SPANS & TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS Point encouraged to use the lesser channels so as to leave the Black Deep channel clear for in conditions of Restricted Visibility, except to proceed to the nearest safe anchorage,
Anchorage those ships that are of a size that restricts them to that channel only. Ships with
VTS and all other river users are aware of the vessel's intentions.
berth or mooring. Any vessel navigating or moored in restricted visibility which
London VTS: VHF 68
London VTS: VHF 14

Vessels are required to contact London VTS for permission to transit the Thames Barrier. Spans Open to Navigation draught of less than 6.0m may not use the Black Deep without the express permission observes that the extent of visibility is not the distance broadcast by London VTS,
Reporting points are at Blackwall Point (Outward) and Margaretness (Inwards) Green Arrows will be exhibited from the ends of piers
Erith ERITH of London VTS
All vessels shall comply with a VTS Instruction given by a VTS Centre.
or that the VTS Centre is not aware of Restricted Visibility at the vessel’ s location, 4 VTS Communication
either side of the span(s) open to navigation. The should advise the VTS Centre of the current level of visibility at that location.
Tide Gauge Marine resource management Tanker Berths Reporting Points
View Looking Westwards / Upstream arrows point inwards towards the open span. Additional restrictions apply to those vessels wishing to navigate through the
Master/Pilot exchange (MPX) IMPA Guidance on the Master - Pilot Exchange
Long Reach The bridge team should consist of sufficient people to be effective and should as a (MPX).pdf (impahq.org) Thames Barrier.
Spans Closed to Navigation Haven Traffic Warning Light -
Anchorage minimum have the Master (or his deputy), a helmsman immediately ready to take the On vessels provided with an authorised pilot, the embarking
Red Crosses will be exhibited from the ends of the piers Ta (if embarked). Where there is no embarked pilot there should be a indicates movements on/off
wheel and the pilot nk pilot, upon arrival on board and following any action to establish
London Gateway Port and
Co

either side of span(s) closed to navigation. er

second person immediately available to take conduct from the Master (or his deputy). the navigational safety of the ship, will advise the Master of the Waiting and Anchoring
Be Power Tanker Berths
nta

r th
s Lines 76 HAT details of the pilot’
s Port Passage Plan. He will also advise of Unless specifically authorised by London VTS, Reporting Vessels are permitted to
in

It is expected that a bridge team should consist of a minimum of three competent persons. any changes made necessary to the vessel’ s Port Passage wait for a berth in the Thames only:
er

Spans Permanently Closed to Navigation Plan by local circumstances. Tilbury General Directions
Stone Ness a) at a mooring allocated to the vessel by the Harbourmaster for that
Be

By day , three red discs at the points of an equilateral triangle, Before proceeding with the passage the Master and the pilot shall
Dock Vessels requiring pilots purpose,or
Light
rth

with the apex downward and the base horizontal. Use of automatic steering systems Broadness Ovens
agree the Port Passage Plan for the voyage in the Thames. above Crayfordness b) in a Designated Anchorage.
s

By night, three red lights in similar positions to the discs Point Light
When use is being made of automatic steering, a qualified helmsman, is to be present Preparation for safe navigation change pilotsExcept
here in an emergency, or with the permission of the Harbour Master, vessels are Vessel Traffic Management
displayed by day. Tilbury
Queen Elizabeth II to steer the vessel manually should circumstances demand. Any
on the bridge not permitted to wait in a Designated Anchorage: Tower Bridge, London Cable Car and London City Airport PLA Charts Admiralty Charts
53 HATor backup steering gear and steering gear power systems St Clements Other than in an emergency, vessels should not make changes to their machinery
Tide Gauge Note: The Port of London Authority produces more
Bridgesecondary
duplicate, are to
configuration, especially electrical generation equipment, while underway. Also while a) for longer than the period permitted for that anchorage; and LARGE VESSEL TRANSITS WEST OF MARGARETNESS
Span A to the south and spans H, J and K to the north are permanently closed Anchorage detailed charts of the River Thames available from
be fully operational and ready for immediate use. Emergency steering gear systems b) where the vessel’ s dimensions exceed the limits for that anchorage. Thames Barrier Control Zone TBCZ
to navigation navigating in the area, oily water separators are to be isolated and bilge overboard the PLA direct at www.pla.co.uk.
should have been recently tested Vessels are not to be anchored in a Fairway, without the prior approval of the NAVIGATION IN THE THAMES BARRIER CONTROL ZONE
discharge valves are to be secured closed. If a pilot is embarked, no ballasting, de -
ballasting or internal transfer of cargo, which significantly alters the draught, trim or Harbour Master, other than in an emergency, or for the purpose of manoeuvring.
Knock John Channel and Princes Channel (The above charts are correct at going to press 2024.
handling characteristics of the vessel, shall take place without the prior knowledge and REPORTING VESSEL MOVEMENTS, NAVIGATIONAL RESTRICTIONS AND EXCLUSION ZONES and DANGEROUS GOODS See Admiralty chart folios for subsequent editions.)
agreement of the pilot.
Gravesend
Pilot Station Shornmead Light
Warning Light -
Edition Number: 2; Edition Date: Sept 2024. Published by the Port of London Authority. www.pla.co.uk/hydrohomepage +44 (0)1474 562207. Indicates vessels c Port of London Authority Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. This publication is protected by Copyright .
The content of this Guide takes into account relevant information available at the time of publication; it is kept up-
manoeuvring off
Tilbury GRAVESEND Higham Bight
to-date and corrected in detail as far as is practicable. It is, however, selective, and it cannot be considered to be No part of this product may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying or storing by electronic
Gravesend Lower Denton Anchorage
a comprehensive and authoritative statement on every aspect of the regulations and requirements applicable to means) without the prior permission of the copyright owners.
Anchorage Tide Gauge vessels operating in the area. For fuller details of these, the relevant official publications must be consulted. The Port of London Authority, London River House, Royal Pier Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2BG, UK