Storm Eleanor forces Thames Barrier closure

Staff Writer Weather

STORM Eleanor forced the Environment Agency to raise the Thames Barrier yesterday to protect London from flooding. High tide levels combined with Eleanor’s surge meant that the iconic flood protection system was required to act – the 180th time it has done so in response to a flood threat since it became operational in 1984. The barrier in south east …

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 …

HMS Kent sets sail for Battle of Jutland commemorations

Rob Powell Navy, News

HMS KENT departed London today, bound for Scotland where she will take part in commemorations for the Battle of Jutland centenary. The Type-23 frigate exited West India Docks shortly after 10am this morning after arriving in the capital last Thursday. It’s 100 years since the greatest naval battle of World War I took place and HMS Kent now heads to Rosyth where …

Viking Sea becomes largest cruise ship ever christened on the Thames

Rob Powell Cruise Ships, News

LONDON saw its biggest ever cruise ship christening yesterday when Viking Sea arrived in town. The brand new, 227 metre long cruise ship sailed up the Thames to arrive at Greenwich shortly after midday. 28 sailors were manning the yard arm of Cutty Sark, the iconic clipper ship, at Greenwich to welcome Viking Sea to London. The cruise ship, capable …

Thames Barrier closes for the first time this winter

Rob Powell News, Weather

LONDON’s flood defence system shifted into action yesterday in response to high river flow levels and a predicted astronomic high tide. The twin threat saw the Thames Barrier begin to shut shortly before midday, remaining closed until about 5pm. It was the first time this winter that the barrier at Charlton has been raised by the Environment Agency. With the …

Sailing training ship Esmeralda arrives in London

Rob Powell Tall Ships

THE CHILEAN navy’s sail training tall ship Esmeralda arrived in London earlier this week. The four-masted barquentine made her way up the river on Wednesday morning after spending the previous evening moored near Southend. 113-metres in length and constructed in the late 1940s with a steel hull, Esmeralda was met on her arrival in the capital by dark cloudy skies and …

Gallery: Ocean Majesty arriving in London

Rob Powell Cruise Ships

CRUISE ship Ocean Majesty sailed in to the capital in glorious evening sunshine today. The 1966-built vessel moored alongside HMS Belfast just after 8pm and will remain there until tomorrow evening. OnTheThames.net captured the 135-metre long ship, originally built as the ferry Juan March, at the Thames Barrier where she was met by Svitzer tugs Cecilia and Mercia who carried …