Rules on name on boat?

[ThrilloPads]

I'm taking a trip upriver soon, however I recently had the name on the boat removed to allow for repainting. I was planning on spending some time choosing the right new vinyl etc. but I fear I'm quickly running out of time.

Does anyone know what the rules are around not having a name on the boat when on the Thames (both tidal and non-tidal?) Can I get away with it for a couple of days?

Alternatively, any quick solution? I was thinking of literally spelling the boat name out with some Gorilla tape?

 

[Old Crusty]

For the non-tidal Thames the EA's requirements copied from the .gov website are below:

Display of boat name
If you own a powered boat, you must display your boat’s name, exactly as it appears on your registration certificate, on each side of the bow and on the stern. (It is acceptable for owners of narrowboats to display the boat name in the traditional way on each side of the cabin.)

The name must be clearly marked in plain letters in the following minimum sizes:

5.1cm (2in) for a boat no more than 6.09m (20ft) in length
7.6cm (3in) for a boat between 6.09m (20ft) and 9.14m (30ft) in length
10.2cm (4in) for a boat between 9.14 (30ft) and 15.23m (50ft) in length
15.2cm (6in) for a boat exceeding 15.23m (50ft)

You can choose what medium to display the name be that painted on the hull, vinyl letters stuck on the hull, Gorilla tape or written on a bit of cardboard in bold felt tip pen, I've seen it all.

 

[TrueBlue]

For the non-tidal Thames the EA's requirements copied from the .gov website are below:

Display of boat name
If you own a powered boat, you must display your boat’s name, exactly as it appears on your registration certificate, on each side of the bow and on the stern. (It is acceptable for owners of narrowboats to display the boat name in the traditional way on each side of the cabin.)

The name must be clearly marked in plain letters in the following minimum sizes:

5.1cm (2in) for a boat no more than 6.09m (20ft) in length
7.6cm (3in) for a boat between 6.09m (20ft) and 9.14m (30ft) in length
10.2cm (4in) for a boat between 9.14 (30ft) and 15.23m (50ft) in length
15.2cm (6in) for a boat exceeding 15.23m (50ft)


You can choose what medium to display the name be that painted on the hull, vinyl letters stuck on the hull, Gorilla tape or written on a bit of cardboard in bold felt tip pen, I've seen it all.

Far be it for me to comment on someone with experience nearer the sharp end, but aren't the rules more relaxed for visitors?

Surely a name clearly marked in very large type on pieces of cardboard and placed in windows would suffice - the object being to be able to hail the vessel in times of trouble.

 

[Old Crusty]

Far be it for me to comment on someone with experience nearer the sharp end, but aren't the rules more relaxed for visitors?

Surely a name clearly marked in very large type on pieces of cardboard and placed in windows would suffice - the object being to be able to hail the vessel in times of trouble.

No, the rules are the rules, there is no relaxation for visitors. As I said, a bit of cardboard with the name on it will do and I've seen this done on many boats arriving unmarked at Teddington Lock after a chat with the duty lockie. Whether the EA would challenge any vessel now for being unmarked is a another matter.

 

[Parabordi]

Whether the EA would challenge any vessel now for being unmarked is a another matter.

Precisely, seen loads of boats without names and poor old Simes tries to keep the rules on deaf ears.

 

[Old Crusty]

Precisely, seen loads of boats without names and poor old Simes tries to keep the rules on deaf ears.

It's a minor offence not to mark your vessel and the fine would be a tenner so no court action likely. However, under article 16 of the IWO 2010, any unregistered vessel that is unidentifiable could be seized and removed from the waterway after 28 days and held till the owner coughs up or then sold and the costs recovered. Not that will happen but it could with the right will in the right place ... just saying ...

 

[ThrilloPads]

Hi all, thanks very much for the input. Very insightful. It sounds unlikely I'll be called out, but for the sake of half an hour with some cardboard and a marker I think I'll just go ahead and do it.

 

[boatone]

It's a minor offence not to mark your vessel and the fine would be a tenner so no court action likely. However, under article 16 of the IWO 2010, any unregistered vessel that is unidentifiable could be seized and removed from the waterway after 28 days and held till the owner coughs up or then sold and the costs recovered. Not that will happen but it could with the right will in the right place ... just saying ...

How an efficient and effective enforcement regime can operate without clear identification of a boats name or identity is beyond me. .... just saying... ....

 

[Old Crusty]

How an efficient and effective enforcement regime can operate without clear identification of a boats name or identity is beyond me. .... just saying... ....

Where is that efficient and effective enforcement regime? Hmm ...

 

[Parabordi]

efficient and effective, EA? Hmm ...

 

[CX54WEK]

No, the rules are the rules, there is no relaxation for visitors. As I said, a bit of cardboard with the name on it will do and I've seen this done on many boats arriving unmarked at Teddington Lock after a chat with the duty lockie. Whether the EA would challenge any vessel now for being unmarked is a another matter.

Pretty sure ours won't meet those regulations then. We have no names on the bow but it is on the stern and on all of the fenders.

Surely they can identify the boat from the visitor registration number that they issue though?

 

[TrueBlue]

Pretty sure ours won't meet those regulations then. We have no names on the bow but it is on the stern and on all of the fenders.

Surely they can identify the boat from the visitor registration number that they issue though?

Methinks there are two considerations here -

One to see if you've paid and are fit to come on Our Lovely River (smiley)
Another to be able to hail you from the lockside should there be a problem - lines snagged, boat caught on the infrastructure and so on.

Trying to find the little bit of paper in your window can be a challenge....

 

[thamesS23]

also more importantley, so other forum members can identify you when approaching you, so they know to head over, say hello, and nick your beer !!

 

[CX54WEK]

also more importantley, so other forum members can identify you when approaching you, so they know to head over, say hello, and nick your beer !!

I think you will know it is us

 

[CX54WEK]

Methinks there are two considerations here -

One to see if you've paid and are fit to come on Our Lovely River (smiley)
Another to be able to hail you from the lockside should there be a problem - lines snagged, boat caught on the infrastructure and so on.

Trying to find the little bit of paper in your window can be a challenge....

Your locks are not that big!!

And they insist you switch your engine off!!

Do they have really quiet voices darn sarf?

 

[boatone]

Your locks are not that big!!

And they insist you switch your engine off!!

Do they have really quiet voices darn sarf?

Not even here yet and already you're complaining .......

(engines running in locks can be dangerous - possible accidental gear shift, fumes causing problems for other boats, particularly open boats, canoes, etc.)

 

[CX54WEK]

Not even here yet and already you're complaining .......

(engines running in locks can be dangerous - possible accidental gear shift, fumes causing problems for other boats, particularly open boats, canoes, etc.)

Not complaining. Just pointing out that as your locks are quite small and the engines are switched off that chatting to the lock keepers isn't going to be a strenuous activity.

 

[Old Crusty]

Not complaining. Just pointing out that as your locks are quite small and the engines are switched off that chatting to the lock keepers isn't going to be a strenuous activity.

I wouldn't say that a 600 ft long lock is small albeit some are 120 ft. First find your lock keeper, then attempt to engage him or her in witty banter - see how that goes and then decide

 

[Actionmat]

I wouldn't say that a 600 ft long lock is small albeit some are 120 ft. First find your lock keeper, then attempt to engage him or her in witty banter - see how that goes and then decide

I recommend Bell Weir

 

[CX54WEK]

I wouldn't say that a 600 ft long lock is small albeit some are 120 ft. First find your lock keeper, then attempt to engage him or her in witty banter - see how that goes and then decide

No sense of humour either then?

Starting to think this trip is a bad idea!