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As you so often point out to others , you don't have to read them and other forums are available , the threads to which you refer have done more to help and educate boaters about the rights they have than I have seen anywhere else , your description of people exerciseing their rights as taking advantage of loopholes is truly pathetic ,

Today I did a good thing and afterwards it made me feel like I am a fully fledged boater. Couple moored behind me asked if I knew how to change a water pump, climbed aboard their boat and it turns out they had no water coming through the taps, had a look at the system and checked the fuses, another boater came along and I asked if he had a volt meter, checked power was coming into the fuse panel, all good, check power at the pump, all good. Luckily they had a spare pump so worked out where to shut the system down and got a bucket under the pump ready to switch, pulled pump, replaced and all good! Made me feel good, made me understand a few things and made me realise I need a volt meter onboard my own boat! When it clicks, it just clicks. Happy Friday.

I didn't realise the National Marine Electronics Association, an American organisation, owned a boat on the British waterways. .............. and I wouldn't use the I.C.E. as my username, and despite being a member, I wouldn't pretend to represent them.

That will be a 'no' then.

S8 for boats that are lived on takes a long time but it can be quick when not the case (whether it's an appropriate tool is another discussion). I would be in favour of CRT taking immediate action to remove or impound boats that do not display a name or index number.

When I had a sea going boat I did an rya day skipper course at evening class, not because I needed any qualifications to do what I was doing ie costal fishing and days out etc but i wanted to gain some more knowledge. I also think people new to UK rivers and canals should do similar. Neil.

Nice one. I've been on the water for 3 years. I've been helped a couple of times including having my injectors bled of water. Bloke who did it wouldn't even take a pint off me. I'd love to help someone in a similar way myself one day, now I know a little more. Best effort so far was 'rescuing' a couple who had locked themselves out of their boat. Their dogs were onboard and becoming quite frantic. They were about to break a window but one of my fishing rods with a 2 treble hooked lure on the end managed to hook out their keys, even though the table they were on was out of sight. Best catch of the day!

Have spent the afternoon reading this thread from beginning to end (so far) and have found it interesting, illuminating and concerning. Regardless of the personal character of Mr Ravenscroft or his past deeds this subject is of great importance and I for one am greatful for all the information contained in this thread. Whilst I have no desire to endorse wilful avoidance of license fees or mooring violations on any waterway, the idea that an organisation such as C&RT can use bullying and questionable (illegal) means to enforce such subjects should be a worry to all of us who live on the waterways of the U.K. I take heart that there are people like Nigel Moore who are prepared to step up to the plate for the 'little man' and to keep the rest of us informed as to what's going on. My interest was initially interested as I live on the river Lark which, as part of the Great Ouse system could end up being ceded from the E.A to C&RT. An editorial in the GOBA magazine hinted at this being a good thing but a in a subsequent issue a readers letter hinted at 'be careful what you wish for'! Now having read all of this I'm not sure I would welcome such an organisation taking over our waterway. Anyway, to all that have had meaningful input to this thread, thank you for educating me to some degree.

There are very many Acts affecting the canals and rivers within CaRT’s jurisdiction. There are over 500 original Enabling Acts; some of the Railways Acts; the British Transport Commission Acts, then the Transport Acts of 1962 and 1968. It was the 1962 Act that hived off most of the canals and some rivers to the British Waterways Board. BW instantly began promoting one private Act after another, abolishing navigation rights to successive sections of waterway so that waterways could be filled in and flogged off. They simply did not want the financial responsibility of maintaining them. Only the Limehouse Cut was promoted on a positive note. Hence we had the British Waterways Acts of 1963; 1965; 1966. The Transport Act of 1968 was the public Act that sought to stem that constant chipping away at the nation’s heritage, and divided the waterways into those that could be left to decline into dereliction &/or be flogged off, and those which they laid a duty on BW to maintain as suitable for either commercial or cruising purposes. [That duty can no longer be enforced due to the terms of the 2012 Transfer Order]. The BW Act 1971 followed, then others in 1974; 1975; 1983 and 1995, with intermediate secondary legislation in the form of Statutory Instruments and Byelaws. The Transfer Order of 2012 was the final legislation passed relating to the old BW waterways; it successfully moved the quango into private ownership, responsible as trustee for such of the waterway infrastructure as was designated protected [although the Secretary of State could – and has done – sign away any part of that infrastructure if CaRT want to, and he is pleased to do so]. Other essential elements of the Order relieved government from having to subsidise the company to the extent they had been, and placed a firm time limit on the much reduced obligatory subsidies agreed. In order to boost the income generating ability of the new company so that they could break free from financial dependency, they granted charity status. Relieving the company from financial burdens was also a prime target, so maintenance obligations were lifted, and they need only do what they feel they can afford. The power to promote primary legislation was specifically removed from them, although they are still free to promote secondary legislation such as byelaws. Indeed, no new Act is necessary; byelaws could address any of the immediate concerns CaRT supposes itself to suffer under, and nice juicy draft ones have been sitting on the shelf of the legal department for years now.

From you tag you are on the G&S canal - as am I. There are only a couple of places for blacking, so not much competition. Next time I black mine I will get quotes from boat yards in Worcester area as I am told they are a fair bit cheaper - excuse for a 6 hour cruise up the river.

That's fine as since retirement it feels like we have been on a 365 days a year holiday anyway.

If I understand the present political situation at CRT correctly, they will impose there licence terms and conditions to any boat on their waters, whether the mooring is on CRT waters or EA waters. In fact thinking about it I can see a situation where a mooring that is several days away and the boat is always in area A would make them seriously consider this person should have a Gold CCer licence. I think that you are missing the important point, if someone wants to challenge CRT then fine, if they just want to get their boat refurbished obey the rules and talk to CRT and they will probably agree quite a long overstay.

It could mean the boat WAS a V-hull, but it was rusty and its been "modified" by slapping a big flat baseplate on it during some repairs?

I disagree, I actually think CRT is happy to have continuous cruisers and a limited number of liveaboards on paid for moorings as they do need to show the waterways are used and valued to continue getting funding, but they do not want to be a social housing landlord.

Careful gaggle otherwise he will report you to Daniel !! Darren

They are marine engines and don't care what they are in I guess.

You can use canalplan.org.uk to help in planning. It would say that is a too far from Warwick in 6 days return. Assuming it is with Kate Boats, if you could switch to a boat out of their Stockton base, then it is possibly just achievable.

You're going to test everyone who hires a dayboat? Takes out a hire boat for a week? Every boat owner's friend who fancies a drive for a bit? Because if you don't it's pointless. There is nothing more irritating and dangerous than the self-righteous someone who knows a "rule" and is going to apply it even while aware that nobody else does. Gods preserve us frome more useless bureaucracy.

I was told my boat needed minimal work. They lied

C&RT's strategy for re-writing the law to suit themselves is entirely dependent on spreading this mistaken belief, and having it accepted by a sufficient number of boat owners. Why are you lending support to C&RT's attempts to fool boaters into believing that they can refuse a Licence or seize a boat on the grounds that it's [home] mooring is not being used ?

Who was is said "Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by incompetence" (or something along those lines)? Good advice in this case in my opinion. I remain to be convinced CRT staff go to work with the attitude 'we are at war with the boaters', despite vice versa being the case where a minority of boaters are concerned.

Much snipped, but there's nothing to stop me from nipping out to the pub at the weekend, pottering about for the next ten days and then pottering home, all in the same area, and not getting any grief from CRT. And then doing it again the next weekend. More or less what I've been doing for the past 30 years. What I can't do is have my mooring on the Macc and go and live in London for the rest of my life without shifting. And whether that's legal under the act, it's certainly ethically valid. Maaybe it's the Act which isn't fit for the purpose, or the boaters who try it on, not CRT.

You can answer it yourself, you must do it also to see them doing it. like most women car drivers do lol.

I may be wrong but I think they did run up to Begarlee Wharf at Langley Mill on the Cromford for a a while. Could be wrong though.

The Propex heaters are quite frugal in their electrical demands and a hell of a lot quieter than diesel heaters. Very effective too and work well when fitted with a timer/stat Phil

My cooking is alcohol powered as well, though the stove runs on gas

Were you, or are you just looking for an "in" for another spat?

Success! Propex HS2800 now installed (warm weather spell now certain) apart from finishing touches. It certainly seems to belt out a lot of heat quite a distance down the boat and is relatively quiet. No problems with installation except for drilling the fixing holes in the boat side for exhaust/air inlet. Though the template provided was used, the fixing holes didn't end up in the right place. I would suggest drilling the two large holes first, placing the exhaust/inlet pipe plate in position and then drilling the fixing holes. Thanks again to all those who gave advice. Ian