In a dramatic turn of events, a popular London party boat, known for its role as a floating bar, restaurant, and nightclub, has been successfully refloated in the River Thames following a five-day salvage operation. The boat had sunk near Temple Pier amid heavy rainfall on January 4, 2024.
As the capital experienced persistent rain, the vessel found itself in trouble and began to take on water, ultimately sinking beneath the surface of the River Thames. The incident occurred during a period of adverse weather conditions, prompting a yellow weather warning for rain to be issued by the Met Office, which remained in effect until 3 am on January 5.
Fortunately, the HM Coastguard was alerted to the situation promptly, ensuring that everyone on board was accounted for and safe. The restaurant vessel’s sinking raised concerns about the safety of passengers and the potential environmental impact.
The Port of London Authority, recognising the need for caution, advised other vessels to navigate the area around Temple Pier with great care in the aftermath of the incident.
Multiple emergency response agencies joined forces to address the situation, including the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the Metropolitan Police, and the London Fire Brigade. Their collective efforts were instrumental in managing the crisis.
A spokesperson for the Bar & Co boat, whose establishment had been affected by the sinking, suggested that adverse weather conditions were the likely cause of the incident. The vessel had faced challenging conditions due to the heavy rainfall.
The sinking of the party boat occurred against the backdrop of a significant number of flood warnings across England, with over 270 warnings in place as of Thursday evening. This situation followed the recent disruption caused by strong winds and rain from Storm Henk, which had left the ground saturated and more susceptible to flooding, according to meteorologists.
The Met Office emphasized that the ongoing rainfall was falling onto already-soaked ground, which heightened the risk of further flooding and travel disruptions in the affected areas. The exact track of the heaviest rainfall remained uncertain, but there was a possibility of substantial rainfall over a short period.
