Registering boat on Windermere - confusion

[Bbroomlea]

After six months of wondering, I decided to enquire about registering the boat for use on Windermere and now I'm a little confused and wished I hadnt bothered.

Its already regsitered on the SSR and the displayed number is the 6 digit SSR (in stupid large digits but thats a different matter). I've paid to have the SSR transferred into my name for £25 and this is now valid until 2013.

The wardens say that the boat has to be registered with them and I will get a new 5 digit number to display - at a cost of £20 for the registration and new numbers provided. This is renewable each year for £5.

Now - I queried this as the boat has never had anything other than a SSR number and has been on Windermere since she was launched 14 years ago. Apparently the SSR is a loophole and now the LDNP are insisting that this is now not legal and I have to register with them.

Does anyone know where we stand? I cant find a definate answer on the internet and there are 100's of boats in WMV alone that are only SSR registered.

 

[Lakesailor]

From the SLDC

Boat Registration (per calendar year)

* Lake District National Park Authority Fee (First Registration) - £10.00
* Renewal receives 50% discount - £5.00
* Set of numbers and backers (self adhesive) - £5.00
* Plastic number boards (pair) - £17.50

It's not exactly a bankruptcy issue is it? Not compared to cost of keeping a boat on a jetty.
The SSR registration was sufficient at a time when the LDNPA hadn't realised they hadn't covered all bases.
I understand they have now closed that loophole and are now in a position to insist on registration with them. Or perhaps that is still in process.
If you don't want to register, just carry on with the SSR numbers until they collar you.
You'll just get one of those headmaster-type lectures.

From the LDNPA web-site

I have a Small Ships Register number - what should I do?

If you are registered with the Small Ships Register please display that number at the same size as the Windermere scheme numbers. If you have any questions please call 01539 724555 and ask for Pauline Richardson.

 

[Bbroomlea]

From the SLDC


It's not exactly a bankruptcy issue is it? Not compared to cost of keeping a boat on a jetty.
The SSR registration was sufficient at a time when the LDNPA hadn't realised they hadn't covered all bases.
I understand they have now closed that loophole and are now in a position to insist on registration with them. Or perhaps that is still in process.
If you don't want to register, just carry on with the SSR numbers until they collar you.
You'll just get one of those headmaster-type lectures.

From the LDNPA web-site

Thanks Lakesailor - I tried to call that number as well and they wouldnt give me a straight answer, hence the confusion. Maybe they are not sure themselves. Do you know if the lake bylaws are published anywhere?

I'm not bothered about having to pay 20 quid to register but if I dont have to then I won't.

There must be 100's of people in the same situation in that they only have an SSR number - surely stopping everyone isnt the best way to communicate any changes to rules.

I'm not sure what my £20 is paying for either - I understand where BW licence fees go if you are on a river (locks, staff, maintenance, toilet/shower blocks etc) but pleasure boaters are not exactly provided with a great deal of facilities around the lake.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

I'm not sure what my £20 is paying for either - I understand where BW licence fees go if you are on a river (locks, staff, maintenance, toilet/shower blocks etc) but pleasure boaters are not exactly provided with a great deal of facilities around the lake.

I think you are being a bit disingenuous. Those 10 knot markers don't grow on trees and then there is the cost of changing them all to read 10 mph.

Not only that, but mindless jobsworths who are determined to change the lake into a genteel boating pond don't pay themselves, you know.

These are the lake byelaws which where approved by the secretary of state in January.

 

[Bbroomlea]

It does look like registration is required then - not sure what the drivers are in changing the current system though, especially if they cant make any money from doing it (cynically at £10 a registration I cant see how they dont).

I'll pay up this weekend as I dont want any unwanted attention from the thought police.

 

[aquaplane]

As far as I knew Carousell was registered but using her SSR number. As I have the numbers I was just going to pay the £5.

Presumably they will be reintroducing the sliding scale of charges based on engine Hp that had to be scrapped when folk found that they could use the SSR registration for £5?

 

[Kipper]

The £20 quid fee is to pay for the adminisration of the £20 fee of course,

 

[Lakesailor]

As far as I knew Carousell was registered but using her SSR number. As I have the numbers I was just going to pay the £5.

Presumably they will be reintroducing the sliding scale of charges based on engine Hp that had to be scrapped when folk found that they could use the SSR registration for £5?

It's supposed to stay at £5 PA.

 

[Jim@sea]

I also found it confusing. I have a French registered boat which a more formal registration than SSR as it has a "Passport" type document from new and photographs of every owner in it. Etc. Effectively it has a "Big Boats Registration" But when I took my boat to Windermere I was told it was invalid and I had to buy theirs.
ANYWAY, I have left Windemere, as although I can afford the mooring, and paid a fortune to have the tackle put down, the car park charge of £5 a day (or is it £8 now) at Ferry Nab, and if I want to take my dingy on a trailer I have to pay another parking fee for the trailer, so its £13 A DAY just to park so you can row out to your boat.
A fee too far. So I am going to a Shore based marina. Barrow Marina would be good if they ever build it.