Cinecraft Marine Services

Safety boat hire

Safety boats and qualified crew for regattas, open-water swims, river events and marine works. Crew whose only job is the people on and in the water.
The crew first

Cover sized to the job and the water

A safety boat is only as good as the people on it. Ours are run by skippers and crew who hold the tickets for the job, with a rescue plan written for your event or site before anyone goes afloat. We look at the water, the tide or current, the traffic and the people at risk, then put the right number of boats where they can reach anyone fast.

Who we cover

Regattas and rowing

Heads, regattas and training outings, with boats placed along the course and a plan for capsizes.

Open-water swims

Mass swims, relays and long-distance training, with boats spread along the route and a pick-up plan for anyone who stops.

River events and parades

Races, flotillas, boat parades and festivals, with safety boats marshalling the course and covering the public afloat.

Marine and construction works

Pier, jetty, bridge and river wall works, with a rescue boat on station while anyone is working over the water.
Rescue cover for contractors

Working over water? Rescue has to be prompt

Regulation 26 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 says that where anyone at work is at risk of falling into water, there must be suitable rescue equipment, kept ready, so they can be rescued promptly. On rivers and docks that usually means a rescue boat on station for the whole time people work over or beside the water. We supply the boat, the crew and the rescue plan, by the day or for the length of the job. Our guide to rescue boats for work over water explains the rule.
Events on the water

Event cover, planned with the organiser

For a regatta, swim or river event, we go through the course with you: where the risk is, where each boat sits, how a casualty gets ashore and how the boats keep in touch with your marshals and the shore. On the tidal Thames, the Port of London Authority wants its harbour masters consulted at least four weeks before an event, six for some, and safety boats that can talk to London VTS on marine VHF. We help with that side too. On lakes, docks and inland water we plan around the owner’s rules. Our guide to safety cover for an event on the Thames walks through the PLA’s process.
The tickets

Who is on the boat

Every boat goes out with a qualified skipper and safety crew matched to the job. Between them, our skippers and crew hold the tickets below, and certificate copies come with the booking.
From our work

A swim from Teddington Lock to Westminster

When Surfers Against Sewage swam the tidal Thames, our safety boat stayed with the swimmers the whole way, through the bridges and the river traffic of central London, with a rescue plan agreed before the start.
Questions

Safety boat questions

It depends on the length of the course, how many people are in the water, the conditions and what the venue or authority asks for. We look at the event or the site, recommend the number and write it into the rescue plan.

Yes. Rescue cover for marine works can run daily, weekly or for the length of the job, with the crew rotated so the boat is always manned.

As early as you can. The PLA wants its harbour masters consulted at least four weeks before an event on the tidal Thames, and six weeks for some, so book the safety boats first and they go into your plan.

Yes. Our skippers hold the PLA Local Knowledge Endorsement for the tidal Thames, and we plan every job around the tide, the stream and the river traffic.

Yes. Our RIBs travel by road, so we cover lakes, docks, rivers and the coast across the UK.

It depends on how many boats and crew the job needs, how long they are on the water and where. Tell us about the event or the site and we will quote, usually the same day.

Yes. Certificate copies for the crew on your shoot are available on request before the day.

Yes. Cinecraft films on the water too, so the same team can keep your event safe and film it, on separate boats.

Marine services enquiry

Tell us about the job

Safety cover for an event, rescue cover for works on the water, a skipper or crew, or a delivery. We reply within the hour, 8am to 8pm, 7 days, and quote the same day for most jobs.
Or call or WhatsApp 020 3039 3931