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Funding for BML Training

The introduction of the new national Boat Masters Licence (BML) in January this year has underlined the importance of supporting high quality training.  As the lead organisation for navigational safety on the river the PLA has taken the initiative of developing a four-strand programme to help ensure that this training is available.

From this month and within a total budget of £50,000 over the next five years, the PLA will support the delivery of marine training on the tidal Thames as follows:

BML Training Grant

We will support every new Port of London work-based BML trainee with a £500 grant towards the cost of his/her BML training.  The money is to be used to fund relevant training courses, and will be payable either to the individual's training sponsor/employer or more usually, to the training provider at the point of delivery. 

BML Local Knowledge Endorsement

We will subsidise, in full, the provision of all BML Thames Local Knowledge Endorsement courses over the five years from 1 September 2007.  We will work closely with North West Kent College, employers, the Company of Watermen & Lightermen and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency to develop such a course, ensure it is relevant and that training is delivered in the most appropriate way to ensure the higher standards introduced by the new BML regime are met. 
Click here to download the application form to be used for either of the above grants (opens in a new window). 

Lighterage Skills

We will fund the development of a new, Thames-centred, lighterage skills course to be developed jointly by North West Kent College and the industry - e.g. River Association of Freight & Transport, General Port Services, Company of Watermen & Lightermen and other operators, as necessary.  We will be inviting those who are likely to be interested in this to a project 'kick-off' meeting this autumn.

Practitioner Charity

We will make an ongoing, annual donation to the Philip Henman Foundation run by the Company of Watermen & Lightermen.

The PLA is confident that this programme of support will help ensure that, over the coming years, we will collectively benefit from the improved skill level and maritime knowledge that lie at the heart of the new BML. 

If you have any questions about our plans for this support programme, do please contact our Harbour Master (Safety Management System), Julian Parkes on 01474-562200.

Applications for a PLA Training Grant (using this form) should be addressed to:

Alistair Gale
Director of Corporate Affairs
Port of London Authority
London River House
Royal Pier Road
Gravesend, DA12 2BG