FAQs
Below are answers to some of the questions we’re asked most often about our approach to sustainability, community and responsible development. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Get in touch.
Health & Safety
Health and safety at the Royal Docks covers everything from how we manage vessel movements to how contractors work safely on site. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, you can get in touch with our team directly.
The Port Marine Safety Code is a government framework that sets the standard for managing safety in ports and harbours across the UK. As a designated harbour authority, we are required to adhere to it through a formal marine safety management system. It provides the structure for how we assess risk, manage vessel movements and maintain a safe operating environment across the Royal Docks.
Our marine safety management system covers all aspects of dock operations, including vessel movements, access to the water, maintenance of infrastructure, contractor safety, and emergency response planning. It is reviewed regularly and underpinned by risk assessment at every level.
Near-miss reporting is a proactive safety initiative that encourages anyone working on or around the docks to report incidents where something could have gone wrong, even if no harm resulted. These reports are reviewed by our team and used to identify risks and improve our procedures before an incident occurs.
Yes. We are a member of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), reflecting our commitment to the highest standards of safety practice across our operations.
All contractors working at the Royal Docks are required to comply with our health and safety requirements before work begins. This includes providing relevant risk assessments and method statements, completing site inductions, and following all operational protocols while on site.
If you have a safety concern, we want to hear about it. You can report an incident or raise a concern using our online form, or contact our operations team directly. In an emergency, always call 999 first.
Water Safety
Find answers to common questions about staying safe on and around the water at the Royal Docks.
Open water swimming takes place at designated locations within the docks under managed conditions. Entering the water outside of these designated areas and organised sessions is strongly discouraged. The docks are deep, cold and contain hidden hazards including sudden drop-offs, limited exit points and active watercraft movement.
Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Life-saving equipment including throw lines and life rings is installed at various points around the dock edge and should only be used in genuine emergencies. Do not enter the water yourself to attempt a rescue.
Life rings are there to save lives. Removing or misusing them could have devastating consequences if someone enters difficulty in the water and there is no equipment available nearby. We check life rings each weekday morning but cannot monitor all 13km of dock edge throughout the day. Please help us by talking to children about why life rings must never be removed, returning any found in the area, and reporting missing life rings to us on 0207 511 5086 or admin@londonsroyaldocks.com.
The docks present a number of hazards that are not always visible from the surface. These include deep and cold water, sudden drop-offs, limited exit points, underwater obstructions and the movement of vessels. Cold water shock is also a serious risk for anyone who enters the water unexpectedly.
Yes. The guidelines apply to everyone using or working near the water, including visitors, participants in organised activities and operators. All activity providers must ensure their participants are properly briefed and equipped before entering the water.
If you spot a missing life ring, a safety hazard or any other water safety concern, please contact us as soon as possible on 0207 511 5086 or at admin@londonsroyaldocks.com. We take all reports seriously and will respond promptly.
Environment
From water quality to wildlife, find answers to the most common questions about how we manage and protect the natural environment of the Royal Docks.
We carry out regular water quality monitoring across the docks as part of our environmental management responsibilities. Results inform our operational decisions and help us protect both the ecological health of the waterway and the safety of those who use it.
The Royal Docks support a wide range of urban wildlife, including fish species, waterfowl, invertebrates and birds that use the dock edges and green corridors as habitat. We work to protect and enhance these populations as part of our broader environmental commitments.
We set operational requirements for all vessels using the docks, covering emissions, waste management and fuel handling. Our team monitors compliance and works with operators to minimise their environmental footprint across the estate.
We take climate change seriously as part of our long-term stewardship of the docks. Our work includes promoting biodiversity, improving green corridors, managing water quality and supporting sustainable development across the dock estate, all of which contribute to the resilience of the local environment.
We manage the dock edges, landscaped areas and green corridors with biodiversity in mind, working to provide habitats for wildlife alongside the operational demands of a working waterway. Our Environmental Management System sets out how we measure and improve our performance in this area.
If you have a concern about environmental conditions at the docks, such as water quality, pollution or damage to habitats, we want to hear from you. You can report it using our online form or contact our operations team directly. We take all reports seriously and will investigate promptly.
Environmental Management System
Find answers to common questions about how we manage environmental risk, monitor water quality and protect the natural environment of the Royal Docks.
We carry out monthly water quality testing to monitor a range of bacteria and assess overall water quality. This helps us meet European Bathing Standards and ensures that in-water and close-to-water leisure activities can take place safely. During the warmer summer months we also test for toxicity that may arise from algal blooms.
We maintain a formal oil spill clearance plan as required by international legislation. Royal Docks Waterways has three trained oil spill response officers, and all marine and engineering staff are trained in clearance duties. We hold spill kits and containment booms for minor incidents and have a Tier 3 contractor available to manage more serious ones. The Marine and Coastguard Agency oversees compliance with the relevant legislation.
The Royal Docks support aquatic life and bird populations, and the ecological impact of all operations is considered as part of our risk assessment and method statements process. No works are approved without contractors providing RAMS that address environmental impacts, including those affecting local wildlife.
We take active steps to reduce emissions across the dock estate, including promoting cleaner fuels, limiting engine idling and supporting the adoption of low-emission technologies. The maritime sector is working to close the gap with ground and air transportation, and we are committed to playing our part in that transition.
Night works, defined as works taking place after 22:00, are only permitted in exceptional circumstances. We aim to minimise noise, vibration and light pollution from dock activities to protect both local communities and the wildlife that uses the dock environment.
All contractors working at the Royal Docks are required to submit risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) before any work is approved. These must identify potential environmental hazards, including those related to fuel storage, bunkering and construction activity, and set out the controls that will be put in place to mitigate them.
Community
Find answers to common questions about how we engage with local communities and our approach to development at the Royal Docks.
As we take on a growing role in the development of the Royal Docks, we are committed to doing so in a way that puts the local community at the centre of the process. This means publishing our plans openly, inviting feedback, and being transparent about how that feedback shapes what we do next.
The Vision for Royal Victoria Dock West is our published plan for the future of this part of the dock estate. It was published in February 2026 and sets out our proposals for the area, followed by a period of public engagement to hear the views of local people and organisations.
The findings from the public engagement period are set out in our Early Engagement Report, which analyses the feedback we received and explains what we intend to do with it. The report is available to download from this page.
We operate a continual cycle of listening, analysing, working and feeding back. Feedback from public engagement directly informs how our plans develop, and we are committed to reporting back to the community on what we have heard and how it has influenced our decisions.
Updates will be published on our blog and in our newsletter as the project develops. We welcome ongoing conversations with local people and look forward to continued engagement over the coming months and years.
If you have a question about the Vision for Royal Victoria Dock West or the engagement process, you can contact the project team directly at rvdw@royaldockswaterways.com.
Get In Touch
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