A flight of fancy became stunning reality, when professional Red Bull skydivers, Marco Fürst and Marco Waltenspiel, successfully attempted the world's first wingsuit flight through Tower Bridge (12 May).
Jumping from a helicopter at 3,000 feet, the skydiving duo covered 1.2 km and reached a top speed of 246 km; soaring through Tower Bridge and completing a complex manoeuvre, known as a ‘flare,’ to rise up again to 80 metres, the height required to open their parachutes before landing safely.
Over two years of planning and preparation had gone into this flight, which involved the construction of a training ground in Oxfordshire, with cranes to mimic the dimensions of Tower Bridge.
As PLA Harbour Master, Adam Layer, said, “From across the PLA, we collaborated with the Red Bull team over many months, giving support and advice to ensure that this event was carried out safely. This ensured Red Bull was able to put this part of the Thames on the international stage. We’re proud to have played a small but significant part in safely delivering this world first event.”
Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS, the UK’s largest air traffic provider, has been appointed Non-Executive Board Director at the PLA, with effect from 1 June 2024.
An engineer by training and background, Martin held a number of roles in the defence and aerospace sectors prior to joining NATS in 2015. Martin also has significant experience as a Non-Executive Director, having served on the Boards of several technology companies and an NHS trust over the past decade.
Jonson Cox CBE, Chair of the PLA Board, said: “I am delighted to welcome Martin to the Board. NATS, like the PLA, is responsible for the safe and effective management of a critical piece of our national infrastructure. I know his experience leading NATS’ investment in transformational change, technology and decarbonisation, will be invaluable to us in delivering our Thames Vision.
“Martin joins the PLA Board at a particularly interesting time, as we invest significantly in capital projects like the Marine Centre Transformation Programme, delivering a state-of-the-art port control centre which will ensure the port is ready to support our customers with their next 25 years of growth. "
From L to R: Paul Hyman, Active 360 and In the Drink (speaking), Beth Ettinger, Laburnum Boat Club and Belinda Lamb, Medway Swale Estuary Partnership
Responding to interest from clubs, our second Active Thames Hub focused on how clubs have reduced their carbon footprint and are working hard to improve the river.
Attendees heard from experts about the Clean Thames Plan, environmental initiatives, and funding opportunities for eco-friendly projects, followed by a panel discussion, representing different sports clubs who showcased their innovative approaches to sustainability.
From Fulham Reach Boat Club’s (FRBC) pioneering use of electric boats and citizen science initiatives, to Laburnum Boat Club’s eco audit and the organisational changes that followed, and In the Drink’s campaign to get riverside pubs to switch to reusable cups, the session demonstrated the value of collaboration, shared learning and creative solutions to improve the natural Thames environment.
Corporate Affairs Director Siân Foster and members of the PLA team met with the delegation from Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority
Thirteen members of the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority had a curated tour of the PLA, with a focus on health and safety practices within our operations. Joshua Dennis, a graduate of the MSc in Hydrography at University College London (UCL), which the PLA has supported for 25 years, had been asked by the High Commissioner of Ghana to the UK to help accommodate the request.
Active Thames and Tideway announce recipients
Paddle-boarding at Laburnum Boat Club (credit Sylvie Belbouab)
Eleven additional community clubs will receive Active Thames funding, thanks to a boost from Tideway, the company building London’s state-of-the-art sewer. From Fulham in West London to Leigh-on-Sea on the Thames Estuary, clubs will be able to offer more opportunities to paddle, sail, row and walk along the Thames this summer.
Jenny Cooper-Low, Lead - Thames Vision and Partnerships, said,
“Active Thames is an important part of our vision for the tidal Thames, creating a river that is accessible to all and a destination for sport and leisure.
"The boost from Tideway will bring new, diverse audiences to the river, and support sports clubs to provide taster days, courses and family-friendly events this summer. We are looking forward to seeing the positive impact that Tideway’s investment it will have."
This is a key year for Tideway as its infrastructure begins protecting the river from pollution for the first time, after eight years of construction.
Fulham Reach Boat Club (FBRC) is organising a marathon row from Fulham Palace to Hampton Court Palace (and back) on 30 June 2024. FBRC, who were recently awarded ‘Community Club of the Year 2024’, is fund raising to give access to rowing to a cross-section of the community, especially those who are most in need because of financial hardship or social circumstances; to help them realise their full potential both on and off the water.
.png?upscale=true&height=50&upscale=true&name=Threads_(app).png){kind=small}