If you are one of the many people tempted to start living a mobile life afloat on our canals then the Canal & River Trust (C&RT) is very keen that you should be are fully aware of the rules which restrict where and for how long you can moor your boat.
In its latest Towpath Mooring Management Project report (pdf download .2MB) it details its efforts to reach new continuous cruisers and people in the planning stages of boat purchase. C&RT has so far contacted over all 200 new boaters taking out a licence this year without a home mooring for the first time, advising them of how their movements are monitored will be offered feedback regularly during the first year if C&RT believe they are not moving enough to qualify as a continuous cruiser. The aim is to keep new boaters informed so they are able to meet their cruising requirements.
In London in particular C&RT are planning a communications campaign aimed at home seekers tempted by the idea of living afloat, particularly if they expect to stay in one area, to explain that they must have a home mooring and/or agree to comply with the Guidance for Boaters without a Home Mooring. The aim is to explain that it may be more difficult than people imagine to comply with the movement rules, and the consequences of not moving.
C&RT’s position that their Guidance for Boaters without a Home Mooring is legally valid for continuous cruisers was greatly strengthened in February when Nick Brown of the National Bargee Travellers Association, abandoned his claim for judicial review of the Guidance.
Essentially the Guidance states that residential cruisers who do not have a home mooring must not spend more than two weeks in one location and that they cannot simply move about within a geographical area; to be a continuous cruiser they must be travelling on a journey. C&RT intends to produce clearer guidance about what constitutes a different place or neighbourhood, to aid with planning their cruising patterns.
The report also acknowledges that there is work to be done around visitor moorings on a nationwide scale, that the system lacks clarity and does not necessarily manage demand in the most effective way. New signage seems to be one preferred approach.
And apparently Hire boat users will be targeted by a new ‘Good Behaviour Guide’ which C&RT are currently finalising!
