EA to register "Everybody"

[TrueBlue]

EA to register \"Everybody\"

EA has today issued an Order which originally was said to be to harmonise their licensing scheme across the country. Miraculously this has changed to a requirement to register every boat on its waters and any water connected to it whether or not the vessel ever uses EA waters.

1. Registration would require an annual fee.
2. If you don't pay up or argue over anything they'll take you to court with criminal sanctions.
3. Your vessel must have an unique name - which is up for grabs annually, if a duplicate then you'll have to change its name... (Unless Part 1 registered)
4. A separate registration number will be issued (to go with your BW number SSR number and whatever else).
5. If the don't like your boat (AWB emitting smoke, water etc), they'll refuse to register you as anti social!.
6. They want their own scheme of TP insurance
7. They want their own inspection and safety scheme
8. By these means they want to take over ALL other navigation authorities; they already answer the telephone as "Waterways" ignoring that this name is already used by British Waterways
9. Make their own regulations for "Commercial" vessels, ignoring the proposed scheme proposed by MCA.
10. The powers sought are so wide in the drafting that they can do pretty what they like.


Looks like "Light Dues" for ditch crawlers.

Does anyone else feel as incensensed as I do, the whole idea is Overkill and OTT. For heavens sake the EA can't even manage flood relief let alone manage Navigations... (Jubilee River debacle)

If interested do please, download the Order at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/consultations/887490/?lang=_e>see "Order" at the left of the consultations page</A> and reply before 25th. November.

It may seem to be a rant, especially if you heed their mealy mouthed words in the summary pages, "intentions" "wish to" etc which of course they are not bound to follow, but the criminal sanctions for not registering, and duplication of other existing (non EA) provisions only brings the Law into disrepute through over complication.

Another case of bureaucracy run wild..



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Stop what you're doing and wait my signal

 

[halcyon]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

What is there water's ?
After all the sea at some point must be connected to there water, at some point on the coast !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brian

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[Dave_Snelson]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

Mike - this is an excellent post and a reminder to us all of what can happen when the bureaucrats are allowed to run amok. Have you sent this item in writing to PBO and MBM? I would suggest that this is well worthy of inclusion and lobby - just like red diesel. It is also the fastest practical way for your concerns to gain some traction.

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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

Although I would'nt be directly affected by this lunacy, it still makes me very angry. Unfortunately, the tin pot bureaucrats and health and safety nazis are running the asylum now
How does the current Boat Safety Scheme fit into all this nonsense?

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[Gludy]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

Although not personally effected by this I am boiling at the whole set of mad proposals and think they should be fought tooth and nail.

Unlike diesel, this is a campaign, if taken up by the mags, that could get wider public support ... its an extreme example of power hungry twits who now run the asylum!!!

All waters in the end are connected to the sea!!!

I would seek support from the mags now.



<hr width=100% size=1>Paul

 

[halcyon]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

Is France included in there plans, it is after all connected by the Channel.

Brian

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[Gludy]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

Thinking about it this could be said to involve all those boats who travel upriver just a bit! There are many marinas etc just up river - we travel through the Tawe lock to get to Swansea marina. So it could apply very widely indeed!

"any water connected to it whether or not the vessel ever uses EA waters"
This just shows they do not understand even the basics of what is connected to what. Its absurd.

What is their objective in all this?




<hr width=100% size=1>Paul

 

[Talbot]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

<<What is their objective in all this?>>

Control of everything and everybody so that there is no freedom for anyone. I know what my response is, but Kim would be angry with me if I write it down /forums/images/icons/crazy.gif

At least I didnt vote for them, so can rightfull feel agrieved at their actions,

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[boatone]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

I didnt know you could vote for the EA !

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[Gludy]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

I am now asking the editors of pbo. mbm and mby what they intend to do about this proposed legislation ...... having read the intentions I find he proposals absurd.

This requires a coordinated campaign from all magazines.

So what do the three of you intend to do?

<hr width=100% size=1>Paul

 

[TrueBlue]

Re: EA to register "Everybody"

Thanks Peeps for replying so quickly - I though mebbe I was getting to be a GUM, but it seems that others think likewise. I didn't put a whole lot of detail in 'cos that would make the post very boring indeed.

The EA is seeking general powers probably 'cos it's a pain (or alleged to be) getting anything through Government (at least it's the excuse offered by them when I quizzed a "source" some time ago). However, getting general powers mean that they can be exercised at any future time. SO I have ignored all the "maybes" in their supplementary documents. I don't think I'm wholly wrong in this approach.

If peeps accept the Order as it stands without any fuss, then EA and like bodies will feel free to go further next time.

Quote: Halcyon and others "What is there water's ?". There is a list of rivers in their documents, Tidal Thames, Medway, Wye, Welland,Nene Ouse(s) and others.

The Order talks about "other substantially enclosed water adjacent to any of the waterways.....navigated...into the waterway".

I take this to mean any water that connect to theirs, so I guess that means canals and "tributaries" such as the Wey, but probably not the Tidal Thames. Trying to be even handed I think the intention was to register boats kept in offline marinas, but the "enclosed water" is not defined or explained in their chatter so it would need a Court case to determine in the event of a dispute - and who's going to bother with that.

Quote: Deleted User "How does the current Boat Safety Scheme fit into all this nonsense?" EA says it wants to make regulations for construction and use of vessels and which may be different for each class of boat. Thea also want the right to inspect all of the boat by one of their officers on demand. The BSS is not mentioned in the body of the Order (just in the maybe's that they might look at)


BTW

1. Your registration details (and name and address) would be available for anyone to view. Don't like that - exchange "words" on the river with an AWB and he can find out where I live and duff me up later... OR C&E doing a troll of potential Red Diesel users?

2. "Master" is redefined to whoever is driving the boat at whatever time - in contrast to the Merchant Shipping Acts - More confusion

3. If you can't produce "documents" on demand then you have to go to an EA office and present them in person. Now there aren't many of those..


There's more but that's enough for now.

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Stop what you're doing and wait my signal

 

[Steve Clayton]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

Absolutely beggars belief!! Is Basil Fawlty in charge of the EA?

This must have been dreamed up by someone connected with Poll and Council Tax legislation. Read the bit where the complete register - yes; all of your details! - will be available for public scrutiny.

Only one winner IMHO; the computer company who get the job of designing, developing, implementing, training, technology refresh in 2 years time, etc. etc. The change control aspects following contract award will, IMO, put the EA in the same league as the NHS implementation. - and who will end up paying?

And a strange co-incidence; from where I'm sitting I can see "Cloud Ten".





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[boatone]

Re: EA to register "Everybody"

Whoa whoa whoa.....slow down guys and read the damn thing properly before you try to be the first mobochatters to go into orbit !

Application is hereby made by the Environment Agency (“the Agency”) for an order
under sections 1 and 3 of the Transport and Works Act 1992, the purpose of which is to confer upon the Agency new powers for the registration and regulation of vessels and for levying charges in relation to the principal navigations for which it is the navigation authority. The Order would also, if made, extend the Agency’s remit as a navigation authority to that part of the River Little Ouse between Brandon Staunchand Brandon Bridge and to the Great Ouse Flood Relief Channel between the Headsluice lock at Denver and the Tail sluice at Saddlebrow.

The extent of these areas is also clearly defined within the document in Part 1 section 3 on Page 5.



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[Doffy]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

I See that the raggies get out clause again, Powered vessels only.

Why can't a canoe, or sailing dinghy do some damage to persons or property.

Will we have to pay for the Broads licience as well as the registration.

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[Doffy]

Here in Nigeria

I think its about time some of the Ijaw youths were sent to the EA offices, and see how many make it out alive. Nigeria has some good points to it. Shoot first!

The don' stand for cr*p like this.

Just another jobs for the boys and how can we make some more money. OUT of MBO's

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[boatone]

Re: Here in Nigeria

Please read it........doesnt cover the Broads..... “vessel” includes every description of vessel with or without means of propulsion of any kind....dont see why you think thats a letout for raggies? etc etc.......

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

Really? Are you in Denia then? She's not sunk at her mooring, I take it? Have'nt been there in a while although we'll be on her next week

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[Steve Clayton]

Cloud Ten

Yup, sitting here now in the cockpit - 26 degrees but it's getting cooler. Nice teak replacement!! There were 3-4 guys on Cloud Ten earlier this evening. It's not that I'm nosey just moored directly opposite on "C" pontoon.

Regards,

Steve



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[Talbot]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

Who is their management responsible to then?

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[boatone]

Re: EA to register \"Everybody\"

Blimey....you took your time /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

Youre right of course but I think it a little unrealistic to think that a vote is likely to have repercussions that far down the administrative 'other government bodies' type scale. Bit like saying I didnt vote for the DVLC ......

There do seem to be some rather wide ranging open ended issues in this but the gross misrepresentation of the areas affected I felt was way out of order. In principle, those of us on EA waters are already subject to most of the regs. For TrueBlue to suggest that they want their own TPL insurance is also not true, they are simply demanding that we have TPL insurance of a certain level of cover which is also the status quo.
As for the EA making a power play to take over British Waterways come on now........./forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

Could go on but just felt voices were being raised before reading and understanding had been accomplished.

Mind you....the signature on the letter displays certain delusions of importance......just 'Mills'....no initial....and not even from the EA Chief Executive........

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