Canal Boatbuilders Association

Three types of mooring

Marina moorings
Marina moorings are the most convenient with high levels of service and access to the boat by way of a pontoon alongside. They may also have a convenient water supply and some will have 240v electricity hook-ups at hand. Fuel may be available on site and some will also have workshop facilities, slipways, pump-out, and convenient car parking. They are also likely to have a high level of security with staff and perhaps residential boaters on site, even during the winter months. There are a large number of marinas, either in private hands or managed by British Waterways. Mooring fees vary with the level of service - and with geography - generally more  expensive in the South East and central London. 

Linear moorings
British Waterways and other authorities also have simpler linear or bankside moorings on suitable lengths of the waterway. These are less expensive but will have fewer facilities, perhaps one shared water point and pump out facilities near-by. They are often in fairly rural settings and have a quiet charm of their own. Whilst most of them are on the non-towpath side of the waterway, and sometimes accessed by way of a locked gate, the level of security is obviously lower.

Club moorings
A number of waterway clubs have moorings of their own, on the canals and more often on the river network. They are usually linear moorings and of course membership is necessary.

Finding a mooring. Sources of information
Your first source should be your boatbuilder. Next, contact the authority on whose waters you intend to moor. British Waterways own much of the canal system and their website at www.waterscape.com has a list of moorings which is accessible by region. BW local offices are always helpful and know their region well. A series of leaflets is available from BW Customer Services (01923) 201120 describing various canals in detail usually including lists of both BW and commercial moorings.

 You should also contact the Yacht Harbour Association which publishes a free information booklet, obtainable by telephoning Sue Lambert at the YHA at (01303) 814434 or by emailing her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and  visit their web site at www.berthsearch.com which lists availability of berths and provides a direct email address for each. The British Marine Federation website at www.boatingadvice.com. is also helpful. Of course you can make contact directly by visiting a major boat show.

 Taking over an existing mooring
When you plan to take over a mooring - or buy an existing boat on a mooring - then you should ensure that the owner has the right to transfer that mooring to you. Not all berths are transferred automatically to the new owner. It is also wise to check with the moorings operator that the present owner has paid his mooring fees, and service charges up to date. These are sensible precautions and will apply anywhere in the country. Most berths are let on short-term agreements, usually payable quarterly and renewable annually, although in some cases leasehold arrangements may be in place.

Residential and long term moorings
Residential boaters may decide to live in one spot on a permanent residential mooring, building up a life style amongst the local community. Some owners may negotiate a permanent residential mooring in, for example, a commercial marina, for the Winter months and cruise extensively during the Summer. Most commercial operators are flexible in negotiating fees for a mooring of this kind.

Residential boaters may sometimes find a permanent berth at a marina when space is available, because they add to the general sense of security of the marina during the off season. Boat builders are also an excellent source of advice on permanent moorings (or moorings of any kind), since they know their local areas well and some may be able to offer places in their own marina or boatyard.

 Some permanent BW residential moorings are available. If you intend to live afloat and take over an existing mooring belonging to BW or any other waterway authority, then you should check that the mooring is in fact a designated residential mooring and that the current owner is not simply living permanently on a “cruising” mooring.

Obtaining a residential mooring will require a good deal of research and the  important thing is to find a mooring first.  Central London moorings are always in great demand and we have included a special section about these.

You will also need a waterways licence

To moor on any managed waterway you will require an appropriate waterways licence.  Since British Waterways manage over 2000 miles of our canal and river system including many of the waterways in and around London, we make a start with their arrangements.  Other waterways authorities will have similar requirements.  An application for a waterways licence must include evidence that the boat meets Boat Safety Standards, has suitable third party insurance and complies with BW’s mooring requirements.  These are explained in detail in BW’s General Licence Conditions.

… or a  licence for a residential boat

The permanent resident or the boater who is settled only during the Winter months and cruises during the Summer - for either of these lifestyles you will require a Home Mooring in order to obtain a licence.  Others will decide on a continuous cruising lifestyle which does not currently require a Home Mooring.

For the ordinary residential boater the fees are the same as those for a Pleasure Boat Licence,  but start at 10.49 metres. Owners will also require  a Boat Safety Certificate and Third Party insurance when they apply.

British Waterways  recognizes that a number of residential boaters will not want to establish a home mooring but intend instead to cruise the network. BW say: If the boat is to be licensed on a “continuous cruising” basis it must move on a regular basis.  BW go on to say that there are three key legal requirements: The boat must genuinely be used for navigation throughout the period of the licence; 

 
Unless a shorter time is specified by notice the boat must not stay in the same place for more than 14 days (or such longer period as is reasonable in the circumstances); and

It is the responsibility of the boater to satisfy BW that the above requirements are met.

All this is explained in detail in the pamphlet “Mooring Guidance for Continuous Cruisers” available from BW Customer Services together with a list of long term moorings and their prices.

Houseboat Licences
Houseboat licences apply only to static boats which have no means of propulsion, of which there are very few on the waterways.  On BW waters the price is the same as for a Canal and River licence  but there are some differences in the conditions.  We recommend that you contact BW Customer Services at Watford (01923) 201120 or a BW local office to discuss the conditions in detail. 

When you do not need a British Waterways Licence

In very rare circumstances you may not need a BW licence.  For example:  if your boat is moored in a private marina off BW water.  You will need to check carefully with the marina operator.  However, the moment  you leave the marina to cruise on BW water, even for a short distance, then you will need a licence.  As a rule of thumb when you have a marina berth you are always going to need a waterways licence from BW or the appropriate waterway authority, and  always on any linear mooring.

Insurance and Council Tax

Insurance for a residential boat is likely to be a little more expensive than that for a boat used for cruising only a few times a year.  You will need to look carefully at fire and contents insurance since this boat is now your permanent home. It is clearly sensible to explain the circumstances to your insurer to obtain the right cover and ensure that your insurance is not invalidated in the event of an accident. 

Remember that you will probably be responsible for paying Council Tax in some form which may vary from one local authority to another. There is more information in the RBOA Council Tax Notes.  You will also need to budget for local and domestic services at your mooring, including mail delivery for example.

The Residential Boat Owners Association (RBOA)

The RBOA publishes a booklet “Living Afloat” which contains sensible advice written by “live-aboards” and covers most of the major waterways including the canals, the Thames and the Medway.  Copies are available from RBOA, John Ross, 19 Swan Quay, Vespasian Road, Southampton SO18 1DU and cost £7.50 each, plus £1.00 post and packaging - cheques made out to RBOA.   See also www.rboa.org.uk

London Residential Moorings

Finding a mooring in the London Area

BW has some 600 berths in the London area, which include Cowley Peachey on the Grand Union Canal, the Regent’s Canal, and the Poplar Dock Marina, of which some are residential moorings.   However the demand for residential moorings in the London area is exceptionally high.  If you are planning to bring a new residential boat into London area then you need to know that the waiting list for a BW residential mooring is now very long indeed and it is essential that you talk to one of the two BW  London offices listed below before going ahead.

However, in addition to the BW moorings, there are some 1400 commercially managed berths on BW waters, and there are also around 2500 moorings at sites including for example, St Katharine Dock.  The BW web site is a prime source of information. Go to www.waterscape.com.  Further advice is available through BW London area office at Paddington on 020 7985 7200, or Customer Services, Watford at (01923) 201120.  Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

For moorings in the Docklands area contact the BW Dockland office at 020 7517 5550

The River Thames

The Upper Thames from Lechlade to Teddington is administered by the Environment Agency.  The EA has no residential moorings of its own on this stretch and refers potential boat owners to the Residential Boat Owners Association for advice..

Residential moorings are available in various commercial marinas on the Thames and there is there is a useful list of these in the free booklet: “Boatyards, Marinas and Services on the Thames”, available from the Thames Boating Trades Association.  Go to www.boatingadvice.com for a free copy.

The Lower Thames, from Teddington to the sea, is administered by the Port of London Authority which has no residential moorings of its own, but does provide an excellent free publication “The Leisure Guide” which lists the commercial marinas, launching sites etc. Contact the PLA at 01474 562200 or download the guide from their web site at www.portoflondon.co.uk.