Azamara Journey finishes first World Journey cruise at Greenwich

Staff Writer Cruise Ships

30,000 TONNE cruise ship Azamara Journey sailed up the River Thames on Saturday to complete her first round the world trip. The 102-day World Journey cruise started in Sydney in March and included visits to 28 countries before concluding in London at the weekend. 53 guests were on board the Azamara Club Cruises vessel for the whole of the 21,619 mile cruise …

Thames Clippers to run trials of commuter service from Gravesend to London

Staff Writer Passenger Vessels

GRAVESEND commuters will get the chance to try travelling to London and back by boat in a four day trial next month. MBNA Thames Clippers will be running the trial service from Gravesend town pier into central London, stopping at Canary Wharf, Tower Pier, Blackfriars and Embankment. The service will get passengers from Gravesend to Canary Wharf in just 48 minutes and …

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 …

Gravesend sets record for the hottest day of the year

Staff Writer News, Weather

GRAVESEND in Kent has once again become the hottest place in the country, setting new records in the process. With the mercury hitting 34.4 degrees centigrade (94 degrees fahrenheit) this afternoon according to the Met Office, the town recorded the highest temperature in September since 1911. The Thames side town also seized the title of the hottest place in the …

JDS Kashima sails up the River Thames for London visit

Rob Powell Navy, News

Japanese navy ship Kashima sailed up the River Thames yesterday for a three day visit to the capital. The 143-metre long vessel is the training ship of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) and arrived through Tower Bridge shortly after 1pm to moor alongside HMS Belfast. Her arrival in London is the latest port visit for the ship which is …

Welcome to the World: “Residence at Sea” arrives in London

Rob Powell Cruise Ships

MS THE WORLD sailed up the Thames to moor in Greenwich earlier on today. The “residences at sea” ship looks like a cruise liner but actually has 165 privately owned apartments and constantly sails the globe with some of its wealthy passengers on board. Launched in 2002, The World has made several visits to London, the most recent of which was in 2013. The 196-metre …

Farage’s fisherman’s flotilla sails up the Thames

Staff Writer News

DOZENS of fishing boats from around the country sailed up the Thames this morning as part of the campaign in favour of leaving the European Union. The flotilla of vessels from Fishing for Leave made its way up the river to arrive outside the Houses of Parliament in time for Prime Minister’s Questions. The fishing armada, which was joined by UKIP …

RMS St Helena in London for farewell visit

Rob Powell News

ROYAL Mail Ship (RMS) St Helena arrived on the Thames yesterday as part of her farewell tour. The passenger and cargo ship has been the only means of accessing the remote island of St Helena in the South Atlantic but the opening of a new airport is forcing her retirement after 26 years of service. The 105 metre long vessel …

Balmoral back on the Thames

Rob Powell News

HERITAGE excursion ship MV Balmoral has returned to the Thames for its first season of trips since 2012. After a period of being laid up, the vessel – listed on the National Historic Fleet register – is now under the ownership of a Bristol-based charity who have returned her to service for days out. She was originally launched in 1949 …

Royal Navy’s newest warship visits London

Rob Powell Navy, News

A ROYAL Navy Type-45 destroyer sailed up the Thames to West India Docks today. The port visit to the capital is the first by HMS Duncan – the sixth and final of the Daring-class ships which were built by BAE Systems Maritime. By the time she reached the Thames Barrier, the 8,000 tonne ship was accompanied by a trio of Svitzer tugs – …