Thames licence

[Steve R]

I have recently bought a motor cruiser and am bringing it onto the Thames. I understand one has to have a Thames licence from the environmental agency. However on contacting them I have discovered that there is only one charge for the whole year ending December 31 st irrespective of when you enter the Thames. I have been told there is a discount for the year of 50% if you start in September only. This seems grossly unfair that it is not pro rata from when you enter the river. In effect starting in July I will be paying six months for not using the river. Is this government agency incapable of using a calculator?! This would surely not be allowed in any other industry. Does anyone have a view and possibly a suggestion?

 

[Easticks28]

Welcome to the world of inland waterways ! Here on the Broads it's the same . Furthermore, there's no refund if you take your boat away to use it elsewhere, neither is there a 'SORN' equivalent available .

 

[peteK]

Most places are like that in the boating world.

 

[oldharry]

Yup, standard practice on Inland waterways. You will also need a Safety Certificate which is a fairly detailed check to prevent you polluting the river with fuel or oil and effluent, and not blowing yourself up with faulty gas or electrics. The boat has to meet quite stringent safety criteria, which I am told would disqualify many older (and not so old!) seagoing boats!

 

[Easticks28]

Yup, standard practice on Inland waterways. You will also need a Safety Certificate which is a fairly detailed check to prevent you polluting the river with fuel or oil and effluent, and not blowing yourself up with faulty gas or electrics. The boat has to meet quite stringent safety criteria, which I am told would disqualify many older (and not so old!) seagoing boats!

Deatais here Home | Boat Safety Scheme | Go Boating - Stay Safe
The inspection needs reapeating every four years.

 

[Crazy-Diamond]

The river I where I keep my boat issues water ski licenses. One option only, for the entire year. So if you launch a ski boat once, and use it for one day (as a visiting friend of mine did) you have to pay for the full annual license. The river authority will not budge on this - even at the suggestion of a half year (and therefore extortionate) rate for one day............

 

[ProDave]

Does the Thames no longer do a short term licence, e.g for a narrowboat transiting from Oxford canal to Kennet & Avon?

 

[Phill]

Saw a few boats displaying visitors licenses yesterday when we were out. Guess the best thing to do would be speak/email the EA as they’re pretty quick and helpful these days.

 

[Leighb]

They certainly do short term visitor licences, AFAIR to a maximum of 12 weeks, if you then need to buy an annual licence the visitor licence fees are credited towards the full fee, someone may correct me if my recollection is false?

 

[oldgit]

Pop over to Thames forum ?