CART & permanent moorings

[ianc1200]

There appears to be now not only a problem with liveaboards, but boats left on various visitor type moorings on a semi permanent basis as a cheaper/free alternative to being based in a boatyard or marina. I believe BW implemented a policy all boats had to have a recognised mooring; if CART took over the Thames this could much improve the river.

 

[oldgit]

Doubt that many owners would leave any boat on a unsecure and isolated public mooring by choice.The financial position of most boat owners is probably not going to improve any time soon and a few owners may no longer be able to afford to moor in a marina and will have to leave.
This has happend on the Medway and the odd boat has more or less been abandoned .
Not sure what the answer is to the problem and can understand perhaps no new licence being issued without proof of permant mooring but it will not solve the problem of any existing boat ejected from ending up on the main river without a home.
Have a feeling that many marinas may already be not chasing slow payers quite as promptly as they may once have done,but there comes point when some of those boats will be moved outside the gate and the owners told to come and collect it.
Where are they to go ?

 

[TrueBlue]

Within reason CART can do as they like - they own the track, there's no public right of navigation. I don't think they actually check the validity of any home mooring.

For EA it's quite different, it doesn't own the track and there's a public right of navigation enshrined in ancient law at Runnymede - and presumably that would be difficult to overturn?

EA can move boats on from the very few moorings that it owns, but if the riparian owner doesn't bother to assist, then nothing is done.

The cost and process of removing abandoned boats is expensive so again not a lot is done until there's a public outcry.

 

[boatone]

Quote from EA FAQ"s Sheet updated April 2011

Q. Where can I moor my boat permanently?

A. If you want to keep your boat on the River Thames, you need to have a ‘base’ mooring – that is, a mooring you return to when you are not cruising. If you are buying a boat, it is very important to have a mooring arranged before you take delivery.
There is a wide selection of permanent moorings on the Thames, from marinas with all services to simple bank-side moorings in the country, and prices vary to reflect this.
If you live aboard your boat, it’s important to know your mooring must have planning permission for residential use from the local authority. These moorings have all the proper services needed for living on board such as sewage and refuse disposal.

 

[boatone]

There appears to be now not only a problem with liveaboards, but boats left on various visitor type moorings on a semi permanent basis as a cheaper/free alternative to being based in a boatyard or marina. I believe BW implemented a policy all boats had to have a recognised mooring; if CART took over the Thames this could much improve the river.

You say quite clearly that "there appears to be problems"

Without wishing to "appear" to be a pedant, can you, or anyone else, actually quantify the precise nature and scale of these perceived problems?

 

[oldgit]

Sounds a simple and sensible policy to make prospective boat owners aware that with the boat there comes certain responsibilities