jecuk
Well-Known Member
I agree and am sick of paying when others were able to flaunt the rules with minimal enforcement. No sympathy I am afraid.
EA Thames Registration
- Thread starter boatone
- Start date
I agree and am sick of paying when others were able to flaunt the rules with minimal enforcement. No sympathy I am afraid.
Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
I bet you would be kicking up a storm if the EA decided any boats that go through locks need to pay for the up keep rather than taxing every boat that doesnt . You would be spitting bricks !
But as everyone now has to pay up to keep the river nice for you youre quite happy .
A free river eh . Last time i looked nobody actually owned the river .
But as everyone now has to pay up to keep the river nice for you youre quite happy .
A free river eh . Last time i looked nobody actually owned the river .
jecuk
Well-Known Member
Probably. But I would then either stop going through the locks or pay up. I wouldn't expect that I could just go through the locks and not pay.
CJL
Well-Known Member
The EA patrol said he had no access to existing registration details so even if you had paid but not stuck your sticker on they will stick a notice on the boat and you have to prove you have paid, seems a bit daft
Erm I can guarantee you that is not true! All he needs is a mobile phone.
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
All he needs is a mobile phone.
Well that was the words uttered from the man in the patrol boat I was standing nearby.
boatone
Well-Known Member
All he needs is a mobile phone.
If, by that, you mean that a mobile phone gives him the opportunity to call the office and request information about the boats current licence status this might be true BUT .... it needs cooperation from another person who is instantly available and it also needs a mobile phone connection which can be extremely elusive with the coverage on the river being so patchy.
A mobile device (notepad/laptop) preloaded with the up to data database would obviously be useful but they cost money and need training and support - simple things for businesses to decide to do but a much more cumbersome process in the public sector.
The requirements are that you display your current licence plate in a visible place where it can be seen and inspected - where's the problem?
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
Don't disagree Tony but this needs a sensible approach, it seems trivial to just stick a sticker on but the offence is minor when persons have paid 100's of pounds and just not got round to sticking the thing on compared to those who have not paid or don't intend to pay.
The patrol guys should have access to the database just a print out of all current registaired boats would do, then just stick a reminder on the boat to display the registration, not the pay up or else notice which does nothing for the EA's reputation even if they take no action.
byron
RIP
Seems simple to me. A database loaded on to a Laptop.
apollo
...
Or even a website with a login, and give them a phone with t'internet....?
byron
RIP
These options are far too easy. As with all 'state' organisations they are blind to the obvious.
Look at the Premium Bonds. They are still sending cheques out instead of paying electronically. Their reasons:- "we have looked at this for years but it is so complicated to set up"
I asked my Brother who was from day one involved with Camelot's programming. He tells me that it could be set up within a few hours using and adapting off the shelf programs.
Andrew_Fanner
Well-Known Member
We were looking for a "Big Society" input to managing/running the river. There is enough talent here to set up a system for the EA, if they will give someone access to the database. All it would need is boat name, usual mooring and a registered bit with a date. Not much to violate DP in that lot.
boatone
Well-Known Member
Laptops whatever cost money, people doing anything costs money (assuming you've actually got people with available time) , mobile phones cost money...the EA doesn't seem to have anywhere near enough money to do all the things that need to be done.
The Big Society can probably help best by doing just what they have asked us to do ....display a valid licence in a visible place.
Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
Thats assuming you can get a licence . I quite agree that if you are using your boat then you need to licence it but what about all those boats that are projects . They cant licence the boat because it doesnt have a bsc . They cant get a bsc because they are doing up the boat . Some of my best fun on the river has been doing up boats . Mine and friends . I think the river will become a very boring place if the only boats left on it are the ones that are working properly .
boatone
Well-Known Member
These situations are now provided for - see the EA FAQ's on their website:
Q. I haven’t used my boat for some time and need to have work done to obtain a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate. Do I still need to register it?
A. Yes. We will issue a plate that allows you to keep your boat on the Thames for a maximum of 12 months whilst you complete the necessary work. We will not be able to issue a registration plate that allows you to use your boat until you have a valid Boat Safety Scheme Certificate. For further details click HERE
Q. I am carrying out restoration work on my boat – can I still use it while I do so?
A. Yes, provided you can obtain a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate. You will only be able to do this if all on-board systems (e.g. engine, fuel, gas, electrical) are fully BSS compliant. Any non-compliant systems will either have to be removed from the boat or brought to a compliant standard in order to obtain a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate. If you cannot obtain a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate, you still need to register your boat so you can keep it on the river.
Q. How can I keep or work on my unused boat without having to register it?
A. This is only possible if you remove your boat from the River Thames. This is similar to therequirement for vehicles, which can be kept ‘off road’ in order not to need a road fund licence / MoT certificate.
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apollo
...
Nice answer Tone, a bit more diplomatic than my proposed one.
River more boring...maybe, but definitely safer.
...and then when you have your licence, give the bu66ers hell when they dont maintain the river properly..
River more boring...maybe, but definitely safer.
...and then when you have your licence, give the bu66ers hell when they dont maintain the river properly..
Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
So basicly no more cheap boats for people to do up . I would be interested to know if everyone first boat here was in tip top condition ? My first boat sank . Best summer i ever had doing it up though .
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
Tony, from your latest link I see that you are allowed to have a boat floating with work in progress for a BSC or restoration for up to a year, you are not allowed to use it but you still have to pay the full fee 
I suppose depending on your point of view its either really generous or a complete rip off.
I suppose depending on your point of view its either really generous or a complete rip off.
boatone
Well-Known Member
Tony, from your latest link I see that you are allowed to have a boat floating with work in progress for a BSC or restoration for up to a year, you are not allowed to use it but you still have to pay the full fee
I suppose depending on your point of view its either really generous or a complete rip off.
Nothing to stop you working on a project for ever as long as its not in the water - but if its in the water you've got 12 months to sort it or take it out.
Doesn't really matter if its generous or a rip off - all in the view of the individual - but that is the way it now is.
(and you aren't allowed to keep your car on the highway if its not street legal !)
CJL
Well-Known Member
So why not get rid of BSS?
I really doubt it's value and it's not a requirement to go to sea.....surely the sea is more dangerous than the non-tidal Thames??
Why is a BSS required for the Thames???
Chris
I really doubt it's value and it's not a requirement to go to sea.....surely the sea is more dangerous than the non-tidal Thames??
Why is a BSS required for the Thames???
Chris
SimonA
Well-Known Member
Well that's interesting.
Several years back I had a little Freeman 22 on the River Nene. It was in a private marina and the EA told me on the phone they would turn a blind eye to not having a license while the boat was being done up. However the River inspector had other ideas and sent me a letter informing me to buy a license within 28 days or go to court. I sent a cheque to the EA for the value of the license, but didn't have a BSS. The EA returned my cheque and set a court date. I couldn't get a BSS as the carburetor and most of the fuel system was missing.
Since going to court would result in a criminal record I had no choice than to immediately sell the boat for £500 and accept a caution from the EA. I was mighty peed off as a Freeman in working condition is worth around £5000, even as a project £500 was a bargain.
One thing I can say is the solicitors at the EA are not nice to deal with.