Many of these persons are watermen and commercial fishermen. "watermen" (oyster and crab fisherman). The boats were operated by experienced watermen. Watermen destroying private boats and threatening bridges. The Guild continues to license watermen and lightermen working on the River Thames. It is estimated that 600 Watermen and Lightermen currently work the Thames. The A.E. Phillips packing plant processed seafood from many of the watermen in the region. In 1997, the company CrabPlace.com began selling seafood online, caught by local watermen. In the past, the economy was centered on the watermen and seafood. Watermen or wherrymen were an essential part of early London. A similar form that evolved among London watermen remains in use today in club racing.