EA Ramping Up Registration Enforcement

[boatone]

Received today form the EA:

This year’s programme of boat registration enforcement checks on the non-tidal Thames is now well underway, and will soon extend into marinas. We are currently visiting and contacting marina operators to advise them of the position. We are also providing them with the attached poster which they can use to remind their customers of the need to register their boats before our officers arrive to carry out their checks.

They have issued a poster and requested all river based organisations to bring it to the attention of members - I have made it available here:
http://www.tmba.org.uk/13-may-2014-ea-ramp-up-boat-registration-enforcement/

 

[apollo]

Is this not what they have been supposed to have been doing anyway?

When will we see them explore new funding avenues eg Thames Water, Swimmers, Regattas, Rowers.

 

[Flynnbarr]

Easy pickings,lowest hanging fruit,being seen to do something.
We shall see how they get on,just from boulters to brunel's bridge they have lots to choose from,hope they have plenty of stickers.

 

[oldgit]

Easy pickings,lowest hanging fruit,being seen to do something.
We shall see how they get on,just from boulters to brunel's bridge they have lots to choose from,hope they have plenty of stickers.

Better late than never,presume this also includes the other little nooks and crannies wherein lurk one or two people who fail to see why they should contribute to the pot.
Will it be a graceful surrender now that the game is up, down on one knee and admit the error of their ways..
Or time to lawyer up and show the rest of us just how St George of Thaemes intends slaying the EA Dragon.

 

[TT_WO]

Better late than never,presume this also includes the other little nooks and crannies wherein lurk one or two people who fail to see why they should contribute to the pot.
Will it be a graceful surrender now that the game is up, down on one knee and admit the error of their ways..
Or time to lawyer up and show the rest of us just how St George of Thaemes intends slaying the EA Dragon.

More preaching from someone who does not have a registration, or have you bought on this year?

 

[Actionmat]

I'd be very happy to see the EA cruising up and down all day checking licences. I just wish they'd do it in a dredger.

 

[prof pat pending]

They seem to be on it....today at Abingdon lock

 

[Actionmat]

Encouraging, but it was particularly bad there. Nice place to stay when there's room.

 

[oldgit]

More preaching from someone who does not have a registration, or have you bought on this year?

Err....Nope.
Was hoping to find some arcane and obsure reason not to cough up but finally and grudgingly realising that am going to have put my hand in my pocket.
A feeling that I no doubt share with one or two on the Thames.
Perhaps we could form some sort of support group.

Ps.Would you like to buy a dredger ?

 

[apollo]

Was hoping to find some arcane and obsure reason not to cough up but finally and grudgingly realising that am going to have put my hand in my pocket.

ROFLMAO

 

[TT_WO]

Err....Nope.
Was hoping to find some arcane and obsure reason not to cough up but finally and grudgingly realising that am going to have put my hand in my pocket.
A feeling that I no doubt share with one or two on the Thames.
Perhaps we could form some sort of support group.

Ps.Would you like to buy a dredger ?

There was nothing arcane or obscure about last years decision "my boat floats on water provided by the moon" as I remember it, no argument with that, perhaps you plan more trips on the upper Medway this year as well as your annual two weeks free visitor license on the Thames making an annual EA registration good value.

I have no problem buying my annual registration to use the Thames (as I do) but would if I lived on a boat in a private adjacent water marina and never visited the Thames.

Does anyone know the outcome of the legal challenge to the EA enforcement action in private adjacent water marinas (Penton Hook I believe) this stopped enforcement action in adjacent water marinas for most, if not all last year while the EA sought more legal advice.

 

[boatone]

Does anyone know the outcome of the legal challenge to the EA enforcement action in private adjacent water marinas (Penton Hook I believe) this stopped enforcement action in adjacent water marinas for most, if not all last year while the EA sought more legal advice.

The legal opinion appears to be that the EA are correct in their view that boats in marinas are within the scope of the legislation regarding registration charges and the EA have confirmed that they are now proceeding on that basis.
My initial post in this thread confirms their intention to visit marinas this year.

They have stated that any boat in a marina not displaying a current licence plate will now be pursued through the legal process. Presumably the outcome of any related court cases will be the final confirmation.

 

[oldgit]

perhaps you plan more trips on the upper Medway this year as well as your annual two weeks free visitor license on the Thames making an annual EA registration good value.

Without a couple of feet being removed from my flybridge or all the Medway bridges being raised by a similar amount, no trips to the upper Medway for me ergo "no free trips up the Thames" either.
Happy of course to buy a licence for when we come round to your delightful river,especially if it helps you chaps cover your costs,gather you are short of a bob or two.
Nobless oblige and all that.

 

[TT_WO]

Without a couple of feet being removed from my flybridge or all the Medway bridges being raised by a similar amount, no trips to the upper Medway for me ergo "no free trips up the Thames" either.
Happy of course to buy a licence for when we come round to your delightful river,especially if it helps you chaps cover your costs,gather you are short of a bob or two.
Nobless oblige and all that.

So you do not pay for an annual registration, only pay for exactly your time spent on the river as a visitor. You are of course quite within your rights to do this but I do not think you have earned a right to lecture others on the annual charges they should be prepared to pay into the EA coffers.

 

[TT_WO]

The legal opinion appears to be that the EA are correct in their view that boats in marinas are within the scope of the legislation regarding registration charges and the EA have confirmed that they are now proceeding on that basis.

So because the EA state that they will be carrying out enforcement in marinas we can assume that they have received legal opinion that they have a legal right to do this?

You often ask for evidence to back up statements made on this forum, so can I ask, is there any statement that you are aware of that confirms that such legal advice has been received.

Can you point to any minutes of meetings between EA and customer representatives that discuss the legal issues here?

I will remind all here that the Inland Waterways order 2010 did not include the Adjacent waters legislation that was needed to enable the EA to require registration of boats kept in private adjacent water marinas (as opposed to marinas located on the Thames as defined by the Thames Conservancy Act 1932). Without this legislation in place I can see no legality in the EA enforcement actions in private adjacent water marinas.

I believe that the EA chose not to make us aware that the IWO 2010 had the Adjacent Water legislation removed by order of the Secretary of State before being passed into law and then proceeded as if they had obtained all the power they had sought. This is surely unacceptable and does the EA no credit.

Do you really want to see the EA prosecute a defendant that claims that the EA are acting illegally when demanding registration on boats, kept in a private Adjacent Water Marina that do not visit the Thames? If the EA were to lose such a case they would be open to many claims for refunds of registration charges going back over the previous 4 years.

You have used this forum to remind people that any Accommodations (pontoons, piles etc.) located on the Thames must be licensed and paid for as this is important income for the EA. In your marina you are surrounded by 600+ accommodation berths that are neither registered nor paid for. This is because these accommodations are not on the Thames they are on private land and water. The only licensed pontoon is the visitor’s pontoon because that one is outside the marina on the Thames.

I am happy to consider any information that would support the EA claims but none so far has been forthcoming , perhaps you could probe them for more information/explanation.

 

[oldgit]

I do not think you have earned a right to lecture others on the annual charges they should be prepared to pay into the EA coffers.

As a taxpayer contributing towards the running of the Thames ,every farthing raised from those who directly benefit from the water managed by the navigation is one less from everyone else.
The fact that it has now been clarified that all have now to contribute without exception,should please everyone.

 

[Ramage]

So because the EA state that they will be carrying out enforcement in marinas we can assume that they have received legal opinion that they have a legal right to do this?

You often ask for evidence to back up statements made on this forum, so can I ask, is there any statement that you are aware of that confirms that such legal advice has been received.

Can you point to any minutes of meetings between EA and customer representatives that discuss the legal issues here?

I will remind all here that the Inland Waterways order 2010 did not include the Adjacent waters legislation that was needed to enable the EA to require registration of boats kept in private adjacent water marinas (as opposed to marinas located on the Thames as defined by the Thames Conservancy Act 1932). Without this legislation in place I can see no legality in the EA enforcement actions in private adjacent water marinas.

I believe that the EA chose not to make us aware that the IWO 2010 had the Adjacent Water legislation removed by order of the Secretary of State before being passed into law and then proceeded as if they had obtained all the power they had sought. This is surely unacceptable and does the EA no credit.

Do you really want to see the EA prosecute a defendant that claims that the EA are acting illegally when demanding registration on boats, kept in a private Adjacent Water Marina that do not visit the Thames? If the EA were to lose such a case they would be open to many claims for refunds of registration charges going back over the previous 4 years.

You have used this forum to remind people that any Accommodations (pontoons, piles etc.) located on the Thames must be licensed and paid for as this is important income for the EA. In your marina you are surrounded by 600+ accommodation berths that are neither registered nor paid for. This is because these accommodations are not on the Thames they are on private land and water. The only licensed pontoon is the visitor’s pontoon because that one is outside the marina on the Thames.

I am happy to consider any information that would support the EA claims but none so far has been forthcoming , perhaps you could probe them for more information/explanation.

Are you a member of TMBA or an ATYC club? If not you don't really have the right to request TMBA or ATYC to obtain information on your behalf.....

 

[Actionmat]

As a taxpayer contributing towards the running of the Thames ,every farthing raised from those who directly benefit from the water managed by the navigation is one less from everyone else.
The fact that it has now been clarified that all have now to contribute without exception,should please everyone.

The same could be said for car drivers who don't ride bicycles, tax payers that don't own a car, anyone who wasn't fortunate enough to get on the list at a NHS dentist, has no need for translation services etc, etc.
I think I contribute enough pounds to expect the odd penny to go towards something I actually use and in this part of the country the Thames benefits everyone in one way or another, boat owners or not.

Do you own a dog? If not, the are some terrible scroungers out there who are directly benefiting from your taxes in order to maintain their parks.

 

[boatone]

Are you a member of TMBA or an ATYC club? If not you don't really have the right to request TMBA or ATYC to obtain information on your behalf.....

Thank you, Ramage, for that.

Once again, it would appear that some here prefer to "shoot the messenger" rather than listen to, and take on board, the message.

 

[apollo]

Thank you, Ramage, for that.

Once again, it would appear that some here prefer to "shoot the messenger" rather than listen to, and take on board, the message.

Pot...kettle....black