Tilbury FortGravesendThe river here. London’s river traffic is run from Gravesend, where the Port of London Authority’s control centre for the lower river and the pilots who take ships up to London are based. The river is full of working craft.
Ships. Big ships cannot stop or turn quickly, so we keep well clear of the fairway and film them from where the skipper and London VTS are happy for us to be.
The tide and wind. The tidal range and the stream are big here, and the water is wide and open to the wind, so we plan around both and use boats suited to open water.
Speed. There is no 12 knot limit this far down, but every boat keeps to a safe speed, and wash matters near the moorings and smaller craft.
On the water. Commercial filming on the tidal Thames needs permission from the Port of London Authority, and we apply for it as part of the job.
In the air. This stretch is away from London’s airport zones, but the docks and both banks are private or managed land, so take-off sites need their owners’ permission.
On land. The port, the fort and the waterfronts have different owners, so filming on land needs their permission, separate from the river.
Yes. We film them from the water and the air, keeping clear of the fairway, and plan the shots with the vessel’s agent or owner where that helps.
It can be. Wind against the tide makes the river choppy, so we use boats suited to open water and keep a close eye on the forecast.
From a take-off site whose owner agrees, and with the airspace checked for the exact position. The port has its own rules for its land.
At a point that suits the tide and the shoot, which we confirm with the call sheet.
