Caption: Water polo from canoes at Active Thames Fund recipient, Phoenix Canoe Club
Earlier this month, our innovative partnership programme, Active Thames, awarded an additional £130,000 in grants to 22 projects across London, Kent, and Essex, bringing the total funding to date to more than £590,000.
Primarily directed towards initiatives that encourage participation among individuals who may be less likely to engage in physical activities, such as those with disabilities and long-term health conditions, the projects receiving this round of funding have a potential reach of 3,000 people.
"The wellbeing benefits – physical and mental - of being by the water are huge," said Sian Foster, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Port of London Authority.
"Through Active Thames, more people are accessing those wellbeing benefits and the opportunity to enjoy the tidal Thames, whether that’s through sailing, paddlesports, rowing, or simply walking along the riverbank."
Active Thames continues to be a key part of our commitment to the long-term development of the tidal Thames. The partnership programme, dedicated to promoting physical activity and mental wellbeing, has supported 110 projects and engaged 64 community clubs since the programme’s inception in 2021.
The Thames Skills Academy (TSA) administrates the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme for all Masters of intra-port vessels on the Thames, whether newly qualified or rich in experience.
Introduced by the TSA, the PLA and Company of Lightermen & Watermen to improve safety on the river, the CPD programme is free and open to all Masters and other navigational crew.
Caption: Maritime Minister Mike Kane (third from right) with Forth Ports apprentices and graduates in the historic Tilbury railway station at the Port of Tilbury. Credit: Port of Tilbury
Maritime Minister, Mike Kane MP, visited the Port of Tilbury last week (6 February) to see its major expansion plans, including its 100 acres site, which will be called Tilbury3. This investment will create and sustain skilled jobs and support the current and future needs of its customers in renewables, recycling and logistics. Tilbury3 sits within the Thames Freeport area.
The Minister met with apprentices and graduates and was accompanied by Forth Ports’ Chief Executive, Stuart Wallace, Chief Operating Officer, Paul Dale, and Commercial Director, Peter Ward as he toured the port’s state-of-the-art training simulator suite.
Maritime Minister, Mike Kanesaid: “It was fantastic to visit the Port of Tilbury to see the sheer extent of their operations and to meet with their hardworking apprentices and graduate students. I very much welcome their expansion plans for Tilbury3, which will help strengthen trade links with other countries, boost economic growth and support the skills and jobs needed for the future.”
Don’t rock the boat
National Historic Ships UK and Beckett Rankine, Marine Consulting Engineers, have created a suite of specialist guidance material, as part of their project “Don’t Rock the Boat” with Lloyd's register, on the stability of static floating historic vessels.
Many historic vessels have been given a second life as static floating assets, often undergoing significant transformations into museums, restaurants, office spaces, hotels and other publicly accessibly spaces. Yet, until now, there were no policies, procedures or guidance available for vessels once they ceased being operational and became a static floating asset.
Tim Beckett, Director of Beckett Rankine, explains: “For many years we have been aware that static floating vessels in the UK fall between legislative jurisdictions; they are not buildings so Building Regulations don't apply, and they don't move so the regulations for ships don't apply.
“This new document provides long overdue and much-needed guidance on best practice for all those who are responsible for the care and maintenance of static floating vessels. While focussed on historic vessels in UK waters, the majority of the guidance is equally relevant to any static floating vessel.
“We are very grateful to our partner National Historic Ships UK and to Lloyd’s Register Foundation for financially supporting the project.”
The PLA took part in the first Maritime-focussed career’s day to take place at a National Museum on Tuesday (11 February). Three hundred students from Greenwich and surrounding boroughs climbed aboard the Cutty Sark to meet representatives from the Maritime sector to discuss their future career opportunities in Maritime and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
Active Thames Spotlight
Empowering the next generation of rowing coaches
This year, Active Thames funding will help Brentford Boat Club and Team Keane Sculling School to educate and certify young Coaches in specific aspects of rowing coaching.
Miranda Keane, Team Keane Sculling School Director and Coach, said: “We are constantly impressed by the effort and commitment shown by our young people in their participation and we believe, by investing in these young people's futures in the sport, we are investing in creating a more diverse and inclusive rowing community, challenging the barriers preventing access to the sport, which are sadly still prevalent today.”
The successful candidates of ‘The Junior Coaching Pathway 2024/25' shared their motivations for undertaking the coaching programme, including what they hope to gain from the experience and what impact they would like to make in their community.
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