REMINDER: PLA General Direction 10 Entering Force

Issuer: Cathryn Spain
Issuer Role: Senior Harbour Master
Issue Date: 30/06/2023
Expiration Date: 01/07/2024
District: Portwide
Reach(es): 
 

This Notice to Mariners serves as a reminder to operators and vessel masters that Port of London Authority (PLA) General Direction 10 comes into force in 12 months on 1st July 2024.  

General Direction 10 - DISCHARGE OF SEWAGE INTO THE THAMES  

10.1 From 1 July 2024, all commercial Vessels must ensure that they discharge no sewage into the Thames.  

10.2 Vessels certificated in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 1998 which only Occasionally navigate within the Thames are exempt from General Direction 10.1.

The PLA will conduct audits of operators and/or vessels to verify compliance with the General Direction and will share findings of such audits with operators.  

As a trust port, the PLA has a responsibility to exercise its legal powers to protect the safety of all river users as well as to protect the environment. Masters of vessels found to be non-compliant with a General Direction may be liable to prosecution. The maximum penalty is an unlimited fine.  

Further information on the implementation of General Direction 10 can be found in our recent news post. Additional information on complying with this General Direction is available on the PLA website as well as all our regulations and guidance.