Tap one of the top three buttons to select non-tidal Thames, tidal Thames or Wey Navigation to view the headroom (clearance) for each bridge.
Tap the bottom button to view a summary of the expected draught (water depth) for sections of the rivers.
All bridges can be overlaid on the interactive map
| WC: | Toilets |
| AT: | Accessible Toilets |
| W: | Water (tap only) |
| WH: | Water hose |
| S: | Showers |
| PO: | Pumpout |
| CD: | Chemical toilet disposal |
| R: | Rubbish disposal |
| RC: | Recycling facilities |
| E: | Electric charging point (£) |
| C: | Camping (£) 🕑 |
| D: | Diesel (£) |
| G: | Gas (£) |
| P: | Petrol (£) |
| M: | Mooring - short term (£) |
| Sl: | Slipway (£) |
| CH: | Chandlery (£) |
£ may be chargeable | 🕑 check for opening times
There is heavy congestion at all states of the tide near Tower Bridge, including large tugs and tows as well as passenger vessels operating between London Bridge, City, Tower, and St Katharine’s piers.
In the summer, this congestion increases as private cruisers and yachts enter or exit St Katharine’s Haven lock. This lock is operational for two hours either side of High Water.
You should navigate this area with extreme care using No. 1 (North) Arch of Tower Bridge inward bound if the way is clear to navigate. Outward bound, smaller vessels should use No. 3 (South) Arch Tower Bridge.
During the summer, large cruise ships are active in the Upper Pool. These vessels may be manoeuvring on or off Tower Bridge Upper Tier moorings (HMS Belfast) or George’s Stairs Tier. Large vessels passing from the east of Tower Bridge always approach slowly to allow the bridge to lift. They could be either bow or stern first depending on the tide. A Harbour Master’s launch, call sign “THAMES PATROL”, will be controlling traffic in these situations. You must contact “THAMES PATROL” on VHF Channel 14 if you wish to pass this area at these times. Large vessels may turn in the river above Tower Bridge when the tide is flooding in order to berth alongside HMS Belfast. This is likely to restrict the ability of smaller vessels to pass.
An arch closed to navigation is indicated by three red discs (or 3 red lights at night) forming the points of an upside-down triangle –you must not proceed through an arch which is closed to navigation.
Bale of Straw or White Light:A bale of straw suspended in the centre of the arch by day or a single white light by night – indicates that this arch has reduced head room.
White Special Signal Light :White special signal light (Very Quick Flash or Isophase White 4 seconds) – indicate large vessels approaching or using the arch. You should not impede the passage of vessels transiting these arches.
Two Amber Lights Side-by-Side:Two amber lights side by side (day or night) - indicates a main working arch usually lying within the authorised channel and ordinarily used by commercial vessels. The absence of such lights in an arch does not mean that the arch cannot be used. These non lit arches are also available for navigation by vessels of suitable draught and air draught relative to the height of tide provided it does not compromise your vessel’s safety.
| Board Colour | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 'Caution, Strong Stream' - the EA advises users of all boats not to navigate. The strong flows make it difficult and dangerous to navigate. | |
| 'Caution: Stream Increasing' - the EA advises users of all unpowered boats not to navigate and users of powered boats to find a safe mooring. | |
| 'Caution: Stream Decreasing' - the EA advises users of all unpowered boats not to navigate and users of powered boats to navigate with caution. | |
| No stream warnings: safe for all river users. |
A Blue button indicates no current data available but you can still tap for weather and conditions.
All river users are advised to exercise caution at all times. Current conditions on the non-tidal River Thames may be variable and potentially hazardous due to recent rainfall and changes in stream flow.
| Flag Colour | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 'Red Flag' - Very strong fluvial flows. PLA advises man-powered vessels not to go out on the ebb tide. All outings on the flood tide should be considered very seriously. | |
| 'Green Flag' - Normal river conditions. | |
| 'Yellow Flag' - The ebb tide is strong. PLA advises extreme caution | |
| 'Black Flag' - Fluvial flow is lower than usual, meaning tides may be lower than predicted. |
A Blue button indicates no current data available but you can still tap for a weather forecast.
All river users are advised to exercise caution at all times. Current conditions on the tidal River Thames may be variable and potentially hazardous due to recent rainfall and changes in fluvial flow.
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Spoken Conditions | SPOKEN CONDITIONS – the phone numbers for current river conditions |
| Thames Restrictions | THAMES RESTRICTIONS – get the latest information on any restrictions or closures on the Thames |
| Wey Restrictions | WEY RESTRICTIONS – get the latest information on any restrictions or closures on the Wey Navigation |
| About, Advice, Help | HELP – links to lots more useful information |
