The Championship Course between Putney and Mortlake, where The Boat Race takes place, is under the jurisdiction of the Port of London Authority (PLA).
Without their support, the historic race simply could not take place. Here we shine a light on their role on Race Day, and their wider work all year round.
What is the Port of London Authority?
The PLA is the UK’s biggest port.
Its purpose is to protect and improve the 95 mile stretch of the tidal River Thames – from Teddington Lock on the border of Surrey, through the heart of London, Kent, Essex and out to the North Sea.
As a trust port, it reinvests its profits back into the tidal Thames region – caring for the river and supporting the communities who live and work along it.
PLA people
The PLA’s staff includes a diverse team of passionate experts including harbour masters, workboat crews, river and sea pilots, hydrography surveyors, environmental scientists, engineers, commercial and planning, and business service professionals.
What the PLA does
One of the PLA’s primary responsibilities is keeping river users safe by patrolling the tidal Thames and managing traffic on the UK’s busiest inland waterway 365 days a year. They provide highly skilled and experienced river and sea pilots, and map, mark and dredge the riverbed to ensure safe passage of all vessels.
The PLA also drives growth and investment – working with partners to lead on innovation and the investment in skills, technology and river infrastructure to enable significant growth. They provide high-quality services to the port’s customers making it easier for them to trade, and advocate on their behalf to create opportunities to grow, build resilience, and decarbonise.
Another element of their work is campaigning for a clean river – free of sewage, waste and pollution. they are pushing for net zero emissions, capturing opportunities for renewable energy, and boosting biodiversity.
The PLA’s role around The Boat Race
On Boat Race Day, the PLA closes the Championship Course to other river traffic, and clears the route, making it as safe as possible for the crews, and all eyes are on the athletes.
They install the stake boats (to which the crews attach) on the start line, with the exact positioning verified by umpires, making sure it is fair and equal.