Booking a Tower Bridge lift for a superyacht

A yacht of 9 metres air draught or more bound for the Upper Pool needs a Tower Bridge lift, requested in writing at least 24 hours ahead, with no charge.

Tower Bridge has lifted for shipping since 1894 and still opens about 800 times a year. A yacht with an air draught of 9 metres or more, bound for the Upper Pool of London, needs a lift to pass.

The lift is requested in writing at least 24 hours in advance, by the agent, the owner or the master, and there is no charge. The bridge publishes its planned lifts, so the time is set with the tide and the pilot's boarding time in mind.

Above 40 metres a yacht also takes a Port of London Authority pilot, who boards at the North East Spit from the south or the Sunk from the north. We book the lift and the pilot together, with the berth, when we plan your arrival in London.