More on policing the Thames

[rr_123]

Finally

Hopefully the last post on this now, and I don't think it was thread hijack because it really is relevant to the (total lack of) policing on the Thames.

Just spoke to the owner's representative, and it was squatters next door, when challenged they claimed that the owner had died (this to the owner's sister) and that they were squatting "legally". They left eventually (which apparently is significant in squatting law), but were pretty aggressive and bolshy (which was my experience with them), and also cited the amount of work they'd done to make it home as justification for them staying.

I'm not sure if I should post pictures of their boat, so here's the view from my son's bedroom window yesterday instead:-

 

[byron]

Possibly the owner should ask you to moor your boat there so in future it looks occupied.

 

[rr_123]

Possibly the owner should ask you to moor your boat there so in future it looks occupied.

Excellent idea with the caveat that my boat is currently on brokerage at PH (anyone want an unusual coloured but excellent river/coastal boat...?)

I have been approached so many times about whether the place is for sale, but another neighbour has a friend who has asked about simply renting the mooring; I have spoken to the owner of the derelict and she was (surprisingly) quite enthusiastic so I am going to pursue that.

Just think, with compound interest she should have enough to rebuild the house in a hundred years or so

 

[boatone]

Went past your place today, up and down, and thought you were out boating so surprised to get home and find its on brokerage !

There was someone ground clearing next door around 1pm , so was that kosher peeps?

 

[rr_123]

Didn't see you cruising past today, but there were a remarkable number of boats out! Would have been kosher peeps at 1pm today; the owner and/or her family.

Really weird without the boat here, but I thought I'd see if anything moves. I probably won't have as much time to mess around next year, so am going to look for something trailable (and also sailable) which I can tow right upstream in a couple of hours and cruise different areas or lug down to the sea for a bit of a play, and get myself a decent dayboat.

Shame in some ways, have had a brilliant summer with All Gold she has proved easy and well mannered when single handed, and yet big enough for four peeps to go away on without getting claustrophobic. Remarkable boat, clever buggers these Norwegians.

 

[Gavi]

clever buggers these Norwegians.

And don't forget their pussy cats!

 

[rr_123]

true

And don't forget their pussy cats!

Their cats are the dogs'

 

[byron]

And don't forget their pussy cats!

Yes! A neighbour of mine has one. Fortunately for all other cats in the area she has gone to live in Sweden for 2 years. By god it ruled the area when it was here. I could always tell when it was in my garden. . . my cat would hurtle in breaking the sound barrier on the way. Lovely cat though.

 

[jaws]

I recognise that

Hopefully the last post on this now, and I don't think it was thread hijack because it really is relevant to the (total lack of) policing on the Thames.

Just spoke to the owner's representative, and it was squatters next door, when challenged they claimed that the owner had died (this to the owner's sister) and that they were squatting "legally". They left eventually (which apparently is significant in squatting law), but were pretty aggressive and bolshy (which was my experience with them), and also cited the amount of work they'd done to make it home as justification for them staying.

I'm not sure if I should post pictures of their boat, so here's the view from my son's bedroom window yesterday instead:-

This boat followed me up river towards Windsor about 3 weeks back. Man, Woman, and White dog. Interesting adaptation of the front cabin to include a wood burning stove! He had it piled high on the aft cabin.
At every lock the skipper was interrogated by the lock keepers as he wasn't displaying a license. He had to get a piece of paper signed by each lockie. Not sure what it was.

 

[byron]

The 1st lock an unlicensed boat passes through issues the 'illegal' boat with a form basically telling him he is unlicensed and that they should get one. After that each Lock passed through has to sign the form. Teddington will explain in more detail.

 

[teddington_lock]

That's basically the long and short of it , the unlicensed boat should be given an unregistered report at the first lock it encounters . We keep a copy , the boater is given a copy.

The UR boat should then present the form at each lock as it goes through , it will then be signed , dated and timed by the lock-keeper.

 

[thamesS23]

I am so glad I pay all that money to have my river license then, as I would hate to have to be punished for not having one by being given a little bit of paper !!!

if you don't have a license then the lock keepers should not let the boat through the lock, it just makes a mockery of those of us who have one.

 

[mlines]

I guess that is why the lock keepers seem so surprised when I pay for my Day Licence and they are scrabbling around for the paperwork and change - no-one else pays!

 

[byron]

if you don't have a license then the lock keepers should not let the boat through the lock, it just makes a mockery of those of us who have one.

I agree whole heartedly. The craft should be seized and held until such time as a licence is produced. If said licence isn't produced within 30 days then the craft should be sold.

 

[jaws]

Bonkers!!

That's basically the long and short of it , the unlicensed boat should be given an unregistered report at the first lock it encounters . We keep a copy , the boater is given a copy.

The UR boat should then present the form at each lock as it goes through , it will then be signed , dated and timed by the lock-keeper.

I have to agree that this is rediculous! It's about £20 for a one day (lasts for two days) license for that size craft. Demand the money or ask them to leave the lock. Not rocket science (and not teddington_lock's fault either!). The EA keep banging on about cracking down on unlicensed boats and then we have this situation! The country has gone mad.

 

[thamesS23]

so if I didn't get a river license next year, but continued to use my boat, what would be the worse that could happen then - has anyone actually been fined for not having a license recently?

 

[boatone]

That's basically the long and short of it , the unlicensed boat should be given an unregistered report at the first lock it encounters . We keep a copy , the boater is given a copy.

The UR boat should then present the form at each lock as it goes through , it will then be signed , dated and timed by the lock-keeper.

Don't you have a little more to tell us?

Isnt the copy of the form sent to Reading who then pursue the owner ?

Also, I think I am right in saying only boats which are not 'kept' on the Thames are able to purchase visitors licences and there is a limit on how many they can purchase in a year? And that a boat kept in a marina or on amooring on the non tidal river is 'kept' on the Thames so needs an annual licence unless 'it is not being used' which means not even to sit on and have a cup of tea?

So, what does happen as a result of the UR form being issued?

 

[angelaquayle]

The report goes back to the office and after 14 days, if someone hasn't paid up, they are considered for prosecution. They are considered for prosecution if they do pay and have tried this before. I've no got the stats handy on how many we've done this year - the majority pay up whether they are prosecuted or not.

No 'thames based' boat is allowed to have a visitor licence and anyone can only have a certain number of days. This is another thing we will be cracking down on.

 

[Ramage]

All of which is fine if you can serve a notice of intended prosecution. In the case of an itinerant liveaboard it would seem a little complicated.

"No Fixed Abode" does tend to defeat the average Postie!

 

[teddington_lock]

Sorry ..... i didn't make myself clear .....

I just assumed that you knew that it would go off to the craft reg department , and it would be dealt with from there ...

Did you honestly think that we just write out a bit of paper and then nothing happens ? I mean , come on .....

Where do you keep your boat Mlines ? i've not known anyone be surprised when they are approached to buy a licence , or are you using a bit of poetic licence ? Some locks indeed won't sell many licences and so they may be a bit rusty with the procedure , but everyone is trained on how to sell one.

I didn't realise that you wanted such a detailed explanation ...

Yes , non Thames based boats can buy visitors licences ... up to a total of 67 days in any one year :-

1 x 31 day licence
2 x 15 day licences
up to six one day licences or a combination up to six ...

if you lie and try to buy 2 x 31 day licences in a year for example , you will be caught out , as Reading check them.

You cannot buy a visitors licence if you are a Thames based boat ( because you obviously aren't visiting )

Angela has outlined it nicely ...