Passing Gravesend's town centre

Tilbury welcomes its biggest ever cruise ship as Storm Aileen forces overnight stay

Rob Powell Cruise Ships, News

A 293 METRE long cruise ship became the biggest to ever visit London International Cruise Terminal when she sailed up the Thames yesterday. Mein Schiff 3, meaning My Ship 3 in English, arrived at the Tilbury terminal in Essex shortly after 7am on Tuesday morning. Seasoned ship spotters have been checking the archives to check whether she might be the …

30th Great River Race held on the Thames

Rob Powell Events, News, Rowing

HUNDREDS of boats took part in the 2017 Great River Race on the River Thames yesterday afternoon. It was the 30th time that London’s river marathon has been held, with over 300 craft taking on the 21 mile challenge. The crews, many from around the world, set off from Millwall slipway on the Isle of Dogs 12.40pm. According to the …

Brazilian sail training ship Cisne Branco arrives in London

Staff Writer Navy, News, Tall Ships

THE BRAZILIAN navy’s sail training ship Cisne Branco sailed up the River Thames yesterday afternoon for a port visit to London. The ship was dressed overall, bringing some much needed colour to the Thames on a dull day as she made her way up the river to arrive at West India Docks at about 2.30pm. Built in Amsterdam, the 74 …

Tanker runs aground near Swanscombe peninsula

Staff Writer Incidents, News

A 144 metre long oil & chemical tanker ran aground in the River Thames on Wednesday night. Arsland had departed Purfleet and was rounding Swancombe Peninsula at Broadness when she went aground. Svizter tugs Madeline, Bootle and London assisted with pulling the Hamburg-bound vessel clear. The incident was also attended by the oil cleanup vessel Recover and the PLA’s Southwark. …

Dunkirk hero ship Ena pictured decaying at Hoo

Staff Writer News, Sailing Barges

WHILE the new Dunkirk movie rides high at the box office, one of the ships from Operation Dynamo is lying rotting in Kent. 111 year old Sailing Barge Ena is currently decaying in a barge graveyard in the River Medway at Hoo. The historic vessel was sailed out to Dunkirk on 31st May 1940 to help with the evacuation but …

Royal Nore to leave the Thames for Royal Yacht Britannia Trust Collection

Staff Writer News

ROYAL Barge ‘Royal Nore’ is to leave the River Thames and join the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust Collection in Leith. The historic vessel has been owned by the Port of London Authority since 1971 and has been the Queen’s mode of transport at several important river events including the official openings of London Bridge, the Thames Barrier, Millennium Dome and the Millennium …

New operator takes over the Tilbury Ferry service

Rob Powell News, Passenger Vessels

A NEW operator has taken over the historic Tilbury Ferry service today. The river crossing between Tilbury and Gravesend is now operated by Jetstream Tours using the Thames Swift trimaran vessel. It’s a return to the service after a 15 year absence for Thames Swift, having originally been built in Gravesend by a previous ferry operator – White Horse Ferries …

Beautiful sunrise pictured behind the Thames Barrer

Staff Writer News, Weather

A BEAUTIFUL sunrise appeared behind the iconic piers of the Thames Barrier last weekend. On the last day of Greenwich Mean Time before the clocks went forward for the summer, OnTheThames.net photographed the rising sun as seen from the Thames Path on the Greenwich Peninsula. Intense hues of red and yellow filled the sky as the rising sun appeared to …