Transport for London (TfL) were proposing a new “turn up and go” ferry service between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf.
It is expected this improved link across the Thames will encourage more people to walk and cycle in the city.
The proposed ferry service concept, developed by Becket Rankine in partnership with Thames Clippers, will employ specially designed electric, zero emission boats and piers that will be as environmentally friendly as practicable.
What we did
During the design phase, NASH Maritime provided specialist navigation and operational support to the multi-disciplinary team led by Steer, alongside Beckett Rankine, Houlder Limited, Quod and Temple.
We liaised with pier and ferry design teams to develop the ferry operational concept and a range of pier locations. Using this together with the vessel and pier designs we considered the navigation issues that may arise, developing operational plans, passage plans and specified berthing requirements. The project sought to maximise the use of innovative technologies including auto mooring systems and hybrid/electric propulsion options.
We provided an ongoing operations advisory role, reviewing key specifications of the ‘ride-on ride-off’ vessel and interface with the access piers, crewing and shoreside personnel needs, licensing and classification as well as inputting to the ferry loading/unloading and timetabling.
We also undertook a preliminary navigation risk assessment associated with the development and operations to provide confidence to the TfL and PLA that navigation risk issues had been assessed and potential risk control mitigation identified. This included the use of our quantitative Thames navigation risk model.
The project was paused in 2020 due to the COVID19 pandemic.
