Boat Lift Upgrade, Wapping, London

Client: MET Police
Location: Wapping, London
Scope: PLC System Upgrade & Mechanical/Electrical Improvements for Man-Riding Boat Lift

MSB were commissioned by the Metropolitan Police to undertake a full modernisation of the PLC-based control system serving the operational boat lift located on the River Thames at Wapping. The existing installation had suffered ongoing reliability issues, with outdated control equipment and deteriorating external components affecting performance, synchronisation, and safety. A comprehensive upgrade was required to restore confidence in the system, improve operational resilience, and ensure full compliance for man-riding use.

Survey & System Design
A detailed on-site survey was carried out to assess the existing mechanical interfaces, electrical infrastructure, lift control philosophy, and general environmental exposure typical of a riverside installation. From this assessment, MSB developed a completely new control architecture based on the Siemens TIA Portal platform.

A bespoke PLC program was designed to enhance safety integrity, improve positional accuracy, and deliver stable operation across all winch assemblies. Particular attention was given to environmental robustness, redundancy, and ease of future maintenance.

Equipment Supply & Installation
MSB supplied, installed, and integrated all new PLC hardware, ensuring seamless compatibility with the existing lifting equipment and mechanical systems.

Key installation works included:

Installation of new absolute encoders on all VSD-driven motors, enabling accurate load-synchronised control and integration with upgraded safety braking systems.
Fitting of new twin-compartment trunking, improving cable separation, system layout, and long-term cable protection.
Relocation of the control panels indoors, moving critical control infrastructure away from harsh weather exposure to safeguard performance and extend equipment lifespan.
Installation of new cabling and encoder systems throughout the lift, improving system reliability and signal integrity.
Supply and installation of new local junction boxes for each winch assembly, providing safe access points for maintenance and fault diagnostics.

Testing, Commissioning & Certification
Following installation, MSB carried out a comprehensive testing and commissioning programme to validate overall performance, including safety integration, synchronisation accuracy, braking performance, and operational load testing.

The upgraded system now delivers:

Four winches operating in complete synchronisation, maintaining a positional tolerance of 5 mm.
Controlled acceleration and deceleration, meeting all specified operational parameters.
A fully compliant man-riding lifting system, validated and accepted in line with DNV certification requirements.

Project Outcome
The Metropolitan Police now benefit from a fully modernised, highly accurate, and reliable boat lift system. The upgraded Siemens TIA Portal-based control solution, combined with significant mechanical and electrical improvements, provides enhanced safety, simplified maintenance, and robust long-term performance.

This upgrade secures the operational integrity of a critical riverside asset and ensures the MET Police can continue to rely on a safe, fully compliant man-riding winch system for years to come.