Posts filed under 'Filming on the Thames'
The Tidal River Thames
The River Thames in London flows both ways!
This is not technically correct it always flows from source to mouth, but because it is actually tidal all the way from the sea to Teddington where the first lock can be found it does flow in as well as out!
The tide is effectively the rise and fall of the sea (river) caused by gravitational forces as the Earth spins – more here: Tide explained on Wikipedia
As the tide out at the coast rises and falls it affects the rivers and in London actually causes a 5-7metre twice daily rise and fall. As you can imagine this is a large amount of water to be removed and added which results in some very strong currents downstream with the flow and then upstream when the tide is rising.
This has a huge affect on all that surrounds the river, both visually and on navigation. The amount of water affects what the fixed walls, buildings and piers look like and the change of direction of flow and strong currents controls navigation and boat movements.
Example images of the tidal affect on the appearance of London’s landmarks
The tide affects the speed the London Party Boats and Thames Passenger Boats can travel on the river. When going with the flow of the tide they can travel faster and when against the tide often around half the speed. This is obviously not a problem if you are in a speed boat, or Jet boat, but slower vessels travelling larger distances can have at least double the journey time, and of course increased fuel costs, all as a result of the tide.
Above Teddington lock all is peaceful with a steady predictable and controlled flow where the tide has no affect, it is only below the lock where it can be more interesting. Where the wind is against the direction of the tide the water is whipped up causing it to be a little bumpier – fine on the larger Thames boats, but no fun in a small sailing dinghy! Swimming in the river is therefore obviously not advised particularly when the tide is flowing at it’s strongest.
The tide can also be useful – when one of the last remaining Concorde’s had to be relocated from Hammersmith to Scotland a barge was brought up the river through London using the low tides to navigate under the bridges. This feet of planning was only possible over 2 separate tides for both the inbound and outbound journey!
Due to the tide the River Thames in London is a diverse and ever changing exciting location – untamed by human activity right in the heart of the City.
1 comment May 16, 2008
Websites that provide information on the River Thames
Here is a list of websites that provide genuinely intersting information on a variety of topics surrounding the River Thames.
Wikipedia: River Thames – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Port of London Authority: http://www.portoflondon.co.uk/
British Waterways (not technically the Thames, but oversee the connecting waterways): http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/home/index.html
Watercape – part of British Waterways: http://www.waterscape.com/
Environment Agency: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/regions/thames/
The River Thames Guide: http://www.riverthames.co.uk/
Movie clips from Filming on the River Thames: http://www.livettslaunches.co.uk/page/2.57.html
The River Thames Society: http://www.riverthamessociety.org.uk/index.htm
Where Thames Smooth Waters Glide: http://thames.me.uk/index.htm
What the Thames was like in the Bronze Age: http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/T/timeteam/snapshot_bronze.html
Conciege Thames Bridges Videos: http://video.concierge.com/?fr_story=1013f8b6bfae204f300fc98bf2ba87feec125b4f&rf=sitemap
Discover the River Thames: http://www.visitthames.co.uk/
Please let me know if you would like your link here.
Add comment February 13, 2008
Websites with information on boats on the River Thames in London
The following websites will help you find information on the River Thames in London, boats for hire and private charter:
River Thames:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Thames#External_links
http://www.portoflondon.co.uk
http://www.tfl.gov.uk
London Speed Boats:
http://www.londonspeedboats.co.uk/
http://www.thamesspeedboats.co.uk/
http://www.thamesspeedboathire.co.uk/
http://www.londonjetboats.co.uk/
http://www.thamesjetboats.co.uk/
London Party Boats:
http://www.londonpartyboat.co.uk/
http://www.partyboatlondon.co.uk/
Thames Boat Hire:
http://www.boathirelondon.co.uk/
Marine Filming:
http://www.filmlondon.org.uk
http://www.livettslaunches.co.uk/page/2.55.html
http://www.divingservicesuk.com
http://www.theknowledgeonline.com
Please let me know any more I can add to this list.
Add comment February 7, 2008
A guide to boats for hire on the river Thames in London
There are a wide range of different boats for hire on the Thames in London. Depending on the type of boat party or celebration you are looking to host on the river Thames in London there are a wide range of different styles of boats available to charter.
Here is a list of a selection of boats available to hire grouped by style.
Speed boats
If you are looking for a speed boat to hire there are many different options available including the most incredible adrenaline rush – a London Jet Boat Experience!
- Voyager RIB’s
- Jet Boat
- Fletcher Arrowhawk
- Lima Lima II
Luxury Powerboats
Moving up from small speed boats their are a number of large luxury powerboats / superyachts available for charter on the Thames. Ideal for important business meetings, corporate entertaining and intimate celebrations for smaller groups these craft push the boundaries of service, quality and luxury.
- Princess V48
- Zephyr / Zodiac
- Rum Jungle
Small Launches
Often a simple river transfer from one part of London to a venue and back is considered to avoid London’s busy transport network. There are several small launches suitable for such transfers and very reasonably priced when compared with other ways of transporting larger numbers in a group around London!
- Thames Swift
- John Harriot
- Cabot
Large Launches
Getting a larger group from one place to another in London can be a complete nightmare. A boat is a simple and cost effective solution and even adds another element to the event. For larger parties it can be efficient to charter a private passenger vessel or a Thames river bus. Here are a few options:
- Thames Clipper
- Sarpedon
- Sapele
- Edwardian
- Golden Salamander
London Party Boats
There is a simply massive selection of party boats for hire on the Thames in London. Choosing which one suits you can be a bit of a headache – should you pay the extra money for one boat – is it worth it?
Here are a list of a selection of ‘approved’ London Party Boats which are generally considered good value for money. Note these boats are not comparable by size or standard, but value for money. If a boat is not included that you feel should be please reply to the thread.
- Havengore
- High Society
- Spirit of London
- Edwardian
- Golden Salamander
- Elizabethan
- Erasmus
- Silver Barracuda
- Silver Sturgeon
- Dixie Queen
For further information on hiring a boat on the river Thames in London see: Boat Hire London
I hope this information has been useful?
Add comment January 21, 2008
