Licence it or lose it

9 November 2009

British Waterways cracks down on unlicensed boats

Between 9 and 21 November British Waterways, which manages 2,200 miles of canals and rivers in the UK, will be using boats and taking to the towpaths on foot and bike as part of its annual National Boat Check. Staff from the canal organisation will be identifying those boaters who have not bought the required licence are therefore not contributing to the cost of maintaining the region’s waterways.

There are now more boats on the nation’s canals and rivers and more people using the towpaths than at any other time in their history. While most boat owners pay their licence fee, there remains a minority who don’t, making the annual check necessary.

In a similar way that cars require road tax, boats require a licence to use the waterways and the revenue from boat licences is an important contributor towards the cost of maintaining the waterways. It helps to ensure vital activities, including dredging the canal, keeping towpaths safe and accessible, and maintaining 200-year-old locks and bridges, can continue.

British Waterways takes a serious view of unlicensed boats and this year has already seized 70 unlicensed craft from owners who refuse to pay. Where possible the boats are sold to recover costs and overdue fees while those with little or no value are generally crushed.

British Waterways marketing director, Simon Salem says: “Most boat owners are happy to contribute to the running of our waterways and are fully paid up licence holders. The income we receive from them is very important in helping us to maintain canals and rivers as incredibly popular places to exercise, watch wildlife, or just relax. Unfortunately, a small minority of licence evaders still exist and we will be working extremely hard over the next fortnight to make sure we know who they are and where they are, so we can take the necessary action.”

The National Boat Check takes place in November each year when many boats have returned to their home mooring for the winter. Local patrol teams also carry out interim checks throughout the year and take enforcement action to make sure that boats are properly licensed.

ENDS

For interviews and images, contact:
Nayna Wood
nayna.wood@britishwaterways.co.uk
020 7985 7314

Notes to editors

The national boat check is taking place between 9 and 21 November. Local patrol staff will record and confirm which boats are on British Waterway’s canals and rivers. This information is used to generate automated and up-to-date ‘case lists’ of boats requiring enforcement action.

The removal of boats from those owners who fail to purchase licences costs British Waterways anything from between £2,000 - £8,000 per boat.

British Waterways cares for 2,200 miles of the nation’s canals and rivers. Rich in heritage, abundant in wildlife and teeming with activity, inland waterways are as popular today as they've ever been. Half the population lives within five miles of one of our waterways and an incredible 11 million people use them every year as part of their everyday life – as a short-cut to work, for walking the dog or simply for taking time-out and watching the boats. British Waterways' job is to ensure the waterways attract enough investment to be well maintained and remain appealing to society and the local communities through which they pass.

www.britishwaterways.co.uk