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The method of treatment is determined by the condition and degree of infestation of the
lighter at the time of inspection. In view of the fact that in nearly all instances there Is a residue
of water and foodstuffs in lighters when empty, from past experience it has been found that if
treatment is required it is far more efficient to fumigate than use a rodenticide or lay traps.
Throughout the year, 254 lighters were fumigated with Methyl Bromide for insect control of
the commodity. As the dosage required varies from 20 to 30 ozs. per 1,000 cu. ft. according to the
species of insect pest present, the chemical properties of the mentioned fumigant and the 24 hour
exposure period required for Methyl Bromide are more than adequate to destroy any rats that may
be present in the lighter at the time of fumigation.
There has been a further reduction in the number of lighters fumigated within the port, the
main reason being the increase of containerisation of many more commodities, especially dried
fruits. Instead of the commodity being fumigated in the lighter when off-loaded from the ship,
fumigation is now carried out in the container prior to loading aboard the ship.
During the course of the year, 12 of the rats that were recovered from treated lighters were
sent to the Public Health Laboratory, County Hall, and on each occasion P/pestis was not
isolated.
Although there has been a further decrease in the number of dumb lighters trading in the port,
the lighterage industry serves as an essential link in the sources of the port, conveying cargoes
of incoming ships to riverside wharves, factories, public utility undertakings and railheads extending
along both banks of the Thames and adjacent canal and creek networks.
The lighterage service today is operated with a modern and specialised plant conveying a
considerable amount of the tonnage of general cargoes passing through London, plus a large
amount of petroleum and other specialised commodities and materials. With continued modernisation
and other specialised craft, the lighterage service is still very much an integral part of the
life of the port.

WATER BORNE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Lash Lighters and Sea Bee Lighters
A new trade was started during the year at Victoria Deep Water Terminal, Greenwich, named
the Sea Bee Lighter System. These Lighters are constructed similarly to Lash Lighters, but are
much larger. The Lash Lighters carry 400 tons of cargo and the Sea Bee Lighters carry 850 tons
of cargo.
During the course of the year, 302 Lash and Sea Bee Lighters were transported by the 'mother
ships' from the United States of America to the Thames Estuary and then towed to various terminal
wharves within the port for discharge.
In view of the fact that Lash Lighters and Sea Bee Lighters trade between various places on
the inland waterway system in the United States of America and Europe carrying general cargo
and cereal produce, it is important that there must be a system of control regarding rodent infestation.
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