Recreation

OVERVIEW

There are fantastic opportunities for sport, leisure and recreational activities on the river and we want to encourage and support these activities. Of course, the leisure use of the river has to be balanced with its role as a busy commercial waterway.

We encourage all river users to have mutual respect for each other’s needs. Leisure users have very different requirements to the huge commercial ships using our busy shipping channel.  At the same time, commercial shipping must have consideration for the leisure user.

If you are planning a river-based event, your organiser must seek permission from the Harbour Master. You will have to provide detailed information and submit a complete risk assessment compliant with the Port Marine Safety Code. To help organisers, the Royal Yachting Association has produced risk assessment forms that you can download at www.rya.org.uk.