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2002: Lifeboats on the Thames

RNLI lifeboats have been operating on the River Thames since 2 January 2002 from our lifeboat stations at Chiswick, Gravesend, Teddington and Tower.

Chiswick, Gravesend, Teddington and Tower were the first lifeboat stations to specifically cover a river rather than estuarial waters or the sea.

The decision for a permanent lifeboat service on the Thames followed the tragedy of the Marchioness disaster on 20 August 1989 when the party boat Marchioness and the dredger Bowbelle collided, resulting in the loss of 51 lives.

Tower's E class lifeboat, Hurley Burley, heading along the Thames towards Tower Bridge

Photo: Chris Walker

Tower’s E-class lifeboat, Hurley Burly, heading along the Thames towards Tower Bridge