Active Thames, the partnership programme led by the PLA, has published its 2024 Impact Report, celebrating a year supporting thousands of people to become more active on or along the tidal River Thames.
Active Thames, the partnership programme led by the PLA, has published its 2024 Impact Report, celebrating a year supporting thousands of people to become more active on or along the tidal River Thames and inland waterways in London, Kent and Essex.
In 2024, 36 projects were awarded grants totalling more than £194,000 with several projects receiving funding for a second year.
Caption: PLA's Deputy Harbour Masters, Joshua Rebbettes and Sophie Williams
Our Harbour Master team, together with Harbour Service Crews, Vessel Licensing, and River Works Licensing, recently carried out a compliance exercise on the river.
The team boarded vessels and spoke with masters to ensure they were operating in line with PLA regulations, helping to keep everyone on the river safe. You can see more about their work in this video:
Charting careers: Exploring opportunities on the Thames
Thames Skills Academy hosted a careers event aboard the Dixie Queen (30 April).
Alongside the PLA, a range of speakers and exhibitors from across the maritime sector were in attendance.
Attendees had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of careers and apprenticeships within the maritime industry and talk to current apprentices and employers.
Wipe out plastic: Backing the ban to protect the Thames
Credit: Thames 21
We are backing Thames21’s renewed call for urgent government action to ban plastic in wet wipes, following the charity’s latest Big Wet Wipe Count event on 30 April.
Since 2017, Thames21 has worked with the PLA and Tideway to collect vital data on sewage-derived wet wipes from the Thames foreshore—with a tally that totals over 135,000 wet wipes to date. These wipes contain plastic fibres, clog sewage systems, and degrade into harmful microplastics, threatening river wildlife and water quality.
Grace Rawnsley, PLA Director of Sustainability, said: “We support Thames21’s campaign to ban plastic in wet wipes because tackling microplastics at source is a key part of our plans for a cleaner river with richer biodiversity. Although the super sewer will help, a ban is essential to stop more plastic entering the Thames and our wider ecosystem.”
Thames21 is delighted to announce the return of London Rivers Week - a vibrant celebration of the capital’s waterways - running from Friday 30 May to Sunday 8 June 2025.
Mark your calendars for a packed programme of free river walks, clean-ups, cultural events, webinars and more!
Now an annual fixture, London Rivers Week shines a spotlight on the importance of protecting and restoring London’s rivers. It’s a chance to discover hidden waterways, learn about ongoing rewilding efforts, and get involved in projects making a real difference.
Led by environmental charity Thames21, the campaign invites Londoners to reconnect with their rivers—improving not only the health of these natural spaces but also the well-being of the communities around them. Every year, thousands of volunteers join the effort, helping to revitalise the Thames and its tributaries.
Bringing everyone aboard: FRBC’s guide to safer rowing
Fulham Reach Boat Club (FRBC) has launched a new Rowing Safety Video, designed to support safer rowing for everyone in the local community including new audiences who don’t already have connections to the river or rowing.
With this video they hope to help keep more rowers safe on the water - watch below. (Click on image to play)
