Marine Coordination
Expert marine coordination for filming on the River Thames
Livett’s provides specialist marine coordination for film, television, commercials, branded content, documentaries, and live events on the River Thames.
From straightforward shoots to technically demanding sequences involving multiple vessels, safety support, restricted locations, permissions, and tight production schedules, we help make filming on the water run smoothly.
Marine coordination is about far more than simply supplying a boat – it’s about understanding the river, planning properly, coordinating all the constantly moving parts, and helping production teams get the shots they need safely and efficiently.
What we can help coordinate
Single and multi-vessel shoots
We coordinate shoots ranging from simple one-boat filming days, to complex sequences involving multiple camera boats, safety boats, picture boats, platforms, and support vessels over an extended period of time.
Action and stunt filming
Livett’s has extensive experience supporting technically demanding filming on the Thames, including extensive work involving stunts, specialist craft, and tightly controlled on-water operations.
On-water logistics and timing
We help plan and coordinate where vessels need to be, when they need to move, how access will work, and how the filming can run as efficiently as possible on the river.
Permissions and stakeholder liaison
Where filming requires permissions, stakeholder liaison, or more sensitive planning, we can support productions with practical guidance and help them understand what needs to happen to make the project possible.
Boat sourcing and vessel wrangling
If the right vessel is not already in our fleet, we can source and coordinate specialist craft through trusted industry contacts.
Safety-led planning
Marine coordination and marine safety go hand in hand. We help productions think through the practical and operational side of safely filming on the water, so the job is controlled, realistic, and professionally managed from the start.
What marine coordination means in practice
Every production is different, but marine coordination usually means planning and managing the practical side of filming on the water.
That can include important aspects such as:
- Vessel selection
- Timings
- Movement plans
- Access
- Filming logistics
- Safety support
- Location advice
- Permissions guidance
- Stakeholder liaison
- Coordination between production, marine crew, and other operational partners.
Filming on the Thames involves constant coordination around changing tides, river traffic, restricted working windows, and technical requirements.
Our expert marine coordination team – led by Ed Livett – helps production teams deal with these practical challenges early, so the shoot is properly planned from the outset.
Why production teams choose Livett’s for camera boats
Unrivalled experience on high-profile productions
Livett’s has provided marine coordination on well over 500 productions and has supported major studio work, television, live events, branded projects, and smaller shoots that still need experienced Thames support.
More than boat hire
We do not just supply boats. We help production teams solve the practical side of filming – from planning and coordination to access, logistics, safety, and permissions.
A specialist fleet behind the coordination
Our marine coordination work is backed by a varied fleet of specialist vessels, including camera boats, safety boats, drone platforms, pontoons, and support craft suited to different filming requirements.
Production-aware support
We understand the pressures that come with filming on the river – tight schedules, changing conditions, technical demands, safety requirements, and the need to make things happen without unnecessary delay.
Vessels and licence support available
Marine coordination can be supported by a wide range of Livett’s vessels and platforms, depending on the project brief.
This can include:
- Camera boats
- Safety boats
- Drone support vessels
- Picture boats
- Specialist craft
- Pontoons and larger working platforms where the shoot requires additional stability, space, or access.
We can also support liaison with the Port of London Authority and other relevant river stakeholders to help secure the licences and permissions needed for your filming.
Because we work on the Thames 24/7 and understand how these processes work in practice, we know the most efficient way to move applications forward, anticipate requirements early, and help avoid unnecessary delays.
That experience helps production teams navigate permissions with greater confidence and keep projects moving.
How we work
We aim to make marine filming easier for production teams by bringing the practical planning together early.
1. Understand the brief
We start by understanding the shoot, location, timing, creative requirements, and any practical constraints.
2. Recommend the right approach
We advise on vessels, logistics, safety considerations, permissions support, and the level of coordination needed for the job.
3. Coordinate the moving parts
We help bring together the boats, people, timings, and operational planning needed to keep the filming schedule running smoothly.
4. Deliver experienced support on the water
With the right preparation in place, we support the production with practical, experienced marine coordination throughout the shoot.
River Thames filming marine coordination FAQs
What is marine coordination for filming?
Marine coordination is the planning and management of filming activity on the water. It can include vessel planning, movements, timing, logistics, access, safety input, permissions support, and coordination between marine crew and production teams.
Do I need marine coordination for a smaller shoot?
Not every shoot needs the same level of support, but even smaller productions can benefit from experienced advice on boats, access, timing, safety, and river logistics.
Can Livett’s provide the boats as well as the coordination?
Yes. Livett’s combines marine coordination with access to a large and varied fleet of specialist vessels, including camera boats, safety boats, drone platforms, pontoons, and other support craft.
Can you help with permissions and restricted filming locations?
Yes. Thanks to our decades of experience, we are able to support productions on permissions advice, licences, river closures, and stakeholder liaison where needed.
Do you only work on the River Thames?
No. Although the River Thames is one of our core areas of expertise, we also provide marine coordination for shoots throughout the UK and worldwide. We have experience supporting productions across a wide range of locations around the globe, bringing the same practical planning, marine knowledge, and production-focused support to projects far beyond the Thames.
Need marine coordination for a Thames shoot?
If your production involves filming on the River Thames, getting the marine coordination right early can save time, reduce risk, and make the whole project easier to deliver.
Livett’s can help you assess the brief, recommend the right vessels and support, plan the practical side of the shoot, and coordinate the moving parts needed to make filming on the water work properly.
Talk to us about marine coordination for your Thames shoot: