Boat movement and mooring enforcement on most inland waterways in England resumed yesterday 12th April 2021. On Canal & River Trust (CRT) waterways, boaters without a home mooring have 14 days from yesterday to move from the place where they were moored during the lockdown, meaning that they need to have moved by 26th April to avoid any enforcement action. Matthew Aymes, CRT’s Customer Support Manager: Licence Support (ie enforcement manager) said in an email yesterday “It will be the same approach as last time – mooring times start from today so in most places people will have 14 days before needing to move on. We ask that if any boaters have issues that they contact their LSO [Licence support Officer, ie enforcement officer] as soon as possible to discuss”.
The NBTA advises boaters to have all discussions with CRT staff that may affect their boat licence in writing by email or letter. This is so that each party has a record of what is said. The same advice applies to dealings with all navigation and other authorities that could affect the security of your home.
In Wales, the lockdown was lifted last week with overnight stays by one household permitted. From 12th April, travel between England and Wales is permitted again. In both countries, self-catering holidays by one household have resumed, meaning that leisure boating and hire boat holidays are now possible provided there is only one household or bubble on the boat.
Most navigation authorities are following a similar path out of lockdown. See the guidance from the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities here AINA-LIFTING-LOCKDOWN-RESTRICTIONS-GUIDANCE-TABLE
For the latest information about CRT waterways see https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/safety-on-our-waterways/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-boating-faqs
For the latest information from the EA see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environment-agency-waterways-coronavirus-covid-19-update
For the latest information from the Broads Authority see https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19
For the Bridgewater Canal see http://www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk/news/article.aspx?ID=281