Film boat hire on the tidal Thames
The tide reaches as far as Teddington Lock, and from there to the sea the river changes several times. Willow-lined reaches at Richmond and Kew give way to the bridges and landmarks of central London, then the towers and wide bends of Docklands, and the ships and big skies of Gravesend and Southend.
Towards Kew the river runs shallow at low water, so we use a shallow-draught boat and favour the hours around high water. Through London, a fast RIB for tracking or a steady workboat with room for rigs. Below the Thames Barrier the river opens out, and a seaworthy boat earns its place.
Permission. The Port of London Authority governs the river from Teddington to the sea, and filming from a boat needs its permit, applied for about 10 working days ahead. We apply for it, or help your production apply.
Tide. The river rises and falls by several metres through London, and the stream decides which way each run goes.
Speed. The limit is 8 knots above Wandsworth Bridge and 12 knots from there down to Margaretness, with two stretches where boats holding a PLA certificate may go faster. Our film boat holds one.
Drones. Teddington and Gravesend, at either end, are clear. In between, Putney is inside the London Heliport's zone, Westminster and the City inside R157 and R158, the Isle of Dogs inside R159 and the Thames Barrier inside London City Airport's zone, all needing permission before the day.
Pick a stretch in the Thames section, or see our camera and tracking boats.
ProductionsSurfers Against Sewage: the Thames swimA camera boat, a safety boat and the permissions for a swim down the Thames from Teddington Lock to Westminster.Read the job
ProductionsLondon’s landmarks from the ThamesOur RIB as the drone platform for early-morning aerials of London’s landmarks and red buses.Read the jobFilming somewhere else? See all our film boat hire locations, or tell us where and we will find the right boat.
Filming from a boat on the tidal Thames needs the Port of London Authority's permit, applied for about 10 working days ahead. We apply for it, or help your production apply.
8 knots above Wandsworth Bridge and 12 knots from there down to Margaretness, with two stretches where boats holding a PLA certificate may go faster. Our film boat holds one.
Much of the river towards Kew is shallow at low water, so we use a boat with a modest draught and favour the hours around high water.
