Lights along the banks are reflected in the River Thames as flats in Woolwich are seen through the wheelhouse of the James Newton ferry before dawn in Woolwich, London February 7, 2015.
Woolwich ferry James Newman is loaded with vehicles before dawn as captain Dave Watkins watches from the wheel house on the River Thames in London February 6, 2015.
A Deckhand directs vehicles onto the deck of the James Newman ferry at dawn on the south terminal of the Woolwich Ferry in London early January 23, 2015.
Captain Dave Watkins in the Wheel House of the James Newton ferry before dawn in Woolwich, London February 5, 2015.
Captain Dave Watkins controls the Woolwich ferry power and direction controls mid river Thames in London January 23, 2015. The Ferry has a Voith-Schneider propulsion system at either end of the boat and the controls determine the direction of the blades left or right to steer it. This configuation gives the ferry maximum manoeuvrability to the extent it can turn 360 degrees on its own central axis.
The James Newman ferry crosses the River Thames at dawn prior to starting a two ferry boat service February 7, 2015.
The James Newman Woolwich ferry crosses the River Thames before dawn in London January 24, 2015.
Boat Engineer Dino Singh, who has worked for ther Woolwich ferry for 15 years, poses for a picture near the drive shafts of the Voith-Schneider propulsion system in the engine room of the James Newman ferry in London January 23, 2015.
Senior Deck Hand John Waterhouse directs vehicles off the deck of the James Newman ferry before dawn at Woolwich in London early January 23, 2015.
Vehicles are unloaded from the James Newton ferry on the north terminal of the Woolwich Ferry in London February 5, 2015. Effect created by slow shutter speed.
The Ernest Bevin Woolwich ferry is seen mid River Thames from the James Newman ferry in London at first light February 5, 2015.
Captain Dave Watkins, navigates the James Newman ferry arcoss the River Thames at Woolwich, London, in the early morning January 23, 2015.
Captain Scott Newton is seen operating the Woolwich ferry power and direction controls mid river Thames in London January 23, 2015. The Ferry has a Voith-Schneider propulsion system at either end of the boat and the controls determine the direction of the blades left or right to steer it. This configuation gives the ferry maximum manoeuvrability to the extent it can turn 360 degrees on its own central axis.
London's financial centre in Canary Wharf can been seen in the early morning sunshine behind the Woolwich Ferry veiwing tower, known to staff as the "bubble" which is manned by Traffic Controller Tony Kane in London early January 24, 2015. The ramps to the ferry are controlled from the "bubble" and the equipment used to control the ramps, that was made in the 1960's will shortly be replaced with a touch screen consul.
Traffic Controller Tom Cherry watches from the Viewing Tower, known as the "Bubble" as the James Newman ferry approaches the Woolwich Ferry termnal building in London January 24, 2015. The ramps from the quayside to ther ferry are controlled manually from the Bubble.
Senior deck hands take a break from work on the James Newman ferry in Woolwich in London February 5, 2015.
Senior Deck Hand John Waterhouse takes a break from work on the James Newman ferry in Woolwich in London February 5, 2015.
The James Newman ferry is seen mid River Thames infront of London's financial centre, Canary Wharf, February 6, 2015.
A crew member walks through the pedestrian deck of the Ernest Bevin ferry as the James Newman ferry crosses the River Thames in London February 6, 2015.
Repair work is seen under the vehicle ramp of the terminal building of the Woolwich Ferry in London February 5, 2015.
Chargehand Terry Hanlan, who has worked on the Woolwich Ferry for over twenty years clears the bench in the ferry workshop in London February 5, 2015.
Electricians Danny Mitchell and Ian Hastings (R) at their bench in the Woolwich Ferry workshop in London February 5, 2015.
Marine plumber Gary Delieu makes gaskets for piping in the plumbers workshop of the Woolwich Ferry in London January 23, 2015.
Shipwright Colin Bliss, who has worked for the Woolwich Ferry for 8 years, poses for a picture in the Woolwich Ferry workshop in London February 6, 2015.
Procurement Officier James Carter poses for a picture in the storeroom of the workshop for the Woolwich Ferry in London February 2, 2015.
Boiler Maker Paul Rice, who has worked for the Woolwich Ferry for 35 years, poses for a picture with colleague Michael Creasey in the Woolwich Ferry workshop in London February 5, 2015.
Marine Fitter Len Bellamy, who has worked on the Woolwich Ferry for seven years makes metal pins for the ramps on a lathe in the ferry workshop in London February 5, 2015.
Electricians Tony Dunt (L), Danny Mitchell and Ian Hastings (R) pose for a picture in the Woolwich Ferry workshop in London February 5, 2015. They have worked for the ferry for 5, 22 and 3 years respectively.
Marine Plumber Gary Delieu, who has worked on the Woolwich Ferry for 35 years works to repair a water pump in the engine room of the John Burns ferry in London.
Cables and supplies are stored ready for use in the electrical room of the Woolwich Ferry workshop in London January, 23, 2015.
Marine Plumber Gary Delieu, who has worked on the Woolwich Ferry for 35 years works to repair a water pump in the engine room of the John Burns ferry in London February 5, 2015.
Fitters use blow torches to heat up to loosen part of the damaged Voith Schneider Propeller unit as it is lifted by crane out of the John Burns ferry at the north terminal of the Woolwich Ferry in London February 16, 2015.
The damaged Voith Schneider Propeller unit is lifted by crane from the John Burns ferry at Woolwich in London February 16, 2015.
Mate Alec Argent, who has worked on the Woolwich Ferry for over ten years oses for a portrait in the Wheel House of the James Newman ferry on the River Thames in London January, 24, 2015.
A stop barrier at the terminal building of the Woolwich Ferry is seen at the top of the ramp leading down to the ferry as it docks after crossing the River Thames in London January 23, 2015.
Deck Hand Albert Smith guides vehicles onto the deck of the James Newman ferry at Woolwich in London February 5, 2015.
Deckhand Bill Waylett stands near the end cabin as he waits to direct traffic onto the James Newman Woolwich ferry in London January 23, 2015.
Deckhand Johnny Martin guides scrap metal lorry driver Sean Kent onto the James Newman Woolwich ferry before crossing the River Thames in London February 5, 2015.
Scrap metal lorry driver Sean Kent looks out over the River Thames mid-crossing while onboard the James Newman Woolwich ferry in London February 5, 2015.
The Ernest Bevin ferry approaches the Woolwich Ferry south terminal as it crosses the River Thames behind the James Newman ferry in London January 24, 2015.
Senior Deck Hand John Waterhouse walks across the deck of the James Newman ferry as it's navigated across the River Thames at Woolwich in London January 23, 2015.
A lone foot passengers waits on the stairs leading to the the pedestrian deck of the Ernest Bevin ferry as it crosses the River Thames in London January 23, 2015.
Almost empty seats are seen on the passeneger deck of the James Newman Woolwich Ferry as a woman uses a mobile phone during a crossing of the River Thames in London January 26, 2015.
A public notice that addresses assults on staff above empty seats is seen on the passeneger deck of the James Newman Woolwich Ferry during a crossing of the River Thames in London February 16, 2015.
Foot passengers wait on the pedestrian deck of the Ernest Bevin ferry as it crosses the River Thames in London February 5, 2015.
Scrap metal lorry driver Sean Kent drives up the ramp from the Woolwich ferry after crossing the River Thames in London February 5, 2015.
The Ernest Bevin ferry crosses the River Thames seen from steps that lead down to the bank at low tide near the south terminal of the Woolwich ferry in London January 11, 2015.
The Ernest Bevin Ferry crosses the River Thames under low cloud in London February 5, 2015.
The Free Woolwich ferry paddle steamships cross the river in this etching which was published in the Illustrated London News in 1889.
Click here to see a timelapse of the Woolwich Ferry crossing the River Thames from the view point of the Ferry's captain Dave Watkins and a full text story.