Twenty four unlicensed boats removed by CRT

Twenty four unlicensed boats have been removed from canals in the last four months as the Canal & River Trust (C R T) continues to crack down on those flouting licensing byelaws.

One unlicensed boat on the Trent & Mersey Canal has just cost its owner thousands of pounds in additional expenses after CRT acted to remove it from the water.  The fire-damaged boat was logged as unidentified in April 2013 before the removal action took place

As the boat lift got underway, the owner of the vessel came forward and following a long conversation with CRT staff the owner agreed to pay almost £5,500 to cover the cost of the contractors, as well as outstanding CRT fees to keep the boat in the water.

CRT head of enforcement Denise Yelland said – “It’s just not fair for the majority of boaters that a minority try to get something for nothing.  We don’t like having to take boats out of the water and it is a last resort, but we will take action on unlicensed vessels. This can result in a costly shock for the owner, or the loss of their boat, but we will continue to crack down on those boaters who aren’t playing by the rules.  Boaters make an important contribution to the canals and the income from licences helps us keep the waterways in working order”.

Thanks to CRT for this report and image.