Navigational Safety Policy

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has a primary responsibility to enable the safety of navigation on the tidal Thames. To this end, it is Board policy that the PLA shall:

Maintain an effective navigational Safety Management System based on a continuing, formal assessment and mitigation of risk in consultation with river users;
Review regularly the effectiveness of, and if necessary seek amendments to, its legal powers, Byelaws and Directions in respect of navigational safety;
Monitor and manage vessel traffic within the VTS Area through the provision of an Information Service, a Traffic Organisation and a Navigational Assistance Service;
Provide appropriate pilotage services in accordance with the Pilotage Act 1987;
Make and publish hydrographic surveys;
Undertake maintenance dredging as appropriate;
Remove sunken vessels and other obstructions that may impede safe navigation;
Provide all necessary aids to navigation within port limits to the west of Sea Reach No.1 Buoy and maintain a close liaison with Trinity House in respect of the other aids that Trinity House maintains within PLA port limits to the east of Sea Reach No1 Buoy;
Promulgate effectively navigational, tidal and other relevant information to all port and river users;
Provide effective management and co-ordination in respect of the PLA’s response to emergency incidents within its area of jurisdiction;
Consult widely with port and river users and other relevant stakeholders in respect of navigational safety issues and proposed changes to navigational arrangements;
Verify the fitness for purpose of licensed commercial vessels by inspection, and where appropriate, define and enforce minimum crew competencies;
Ensure, through risk assessment that the licensing of river works takes due regard of the safety of navigation;
Investigate all navigational incidents and near misses to a proportionate level to ensure that any future lessons are identified to inform the risk assessment processes.

31st May 2011