Thames skippers

Skippers for your own boat

Your production or brand has the boat; we provide the skipper who knows the river. Yachts and motor cruisers, RIBs and fast boats, workboats and tugs.
For productions and brands

A skipper who knows the Thames

Bringing your own vessel onto the tidal Thames for a shoot or an event means someone at the helm who knows the river: the tide, the traffic, the bridges, the rules and the radio. Our skippers hold the right tickets with PLA local knowledge, and they know how to put a boat exactly where the camera needs it.
How it works

From your boat to the shot

The boat. We look at your vessel, its certification and its paperwork before the day, and tell you if anything needs sorting for the Thames.

The river. Our skippers plan the passage around the tide, the bridges and the traffic, and talk to London VTS where the boat’s size or the route needs it.

The shoot. They take direction from the first AD and the camera boat by radio, and repeat the same move take after take.

Crew. We can add deckhands and safety crew alongside the skipper, so the whole boat is crewed by people who know the river.

Questions

Questions about skippers for your own boat

Yes. Tell us about the boat and the plan, and we will check the vessel and its paperwork before the day.

Our skippers are qualified to MCA Master (Code Vessels less than 200 GT) and Officer of the Watch (Yachts less than 500 GT), and our Thames skippers hold a Boatmaster Licence with PLA local knowledge, or the equivalent.

Yes. We can provide deckhands and safety crew alongside the skipper.

Yes, as part of the job, planned around the tide and any locks on the way.

Thames shoot planner

Plan your Thames shoot

Tell us where on the river, when and what you are filming. We reply within the hour, 8am to 8pm, 7 days, and quote the same day for most shoots.
Rather talk? Call or WhatsApp 020 3039 3931