Britain's official guide to canals, rivers and lakes

Wednesday 9th July 2008

Boating FAQs

How to licence your new boat, where to find stoppages and other answers to the questions we're most frequently asked by boaters.

Q. I need to licence my new craft. How can I go about doing this?
A. As you are the new owner you are required to fill out a new application form. These can be downloaded from our useful downloads page. Alternatively, click on useful downloads link on the homepage.

Q. I am going cruising and need to know if there are any stoppages en route.
A. You can look up stoppages by going to our stoppages page. These are updated regularly.

Q. I don’t have internet access on my boat but would like to find out about stoppages while I’m cruising – how can I do this?
A. Just call canalphone on 01923 201401.

Q. I’m trying to plan my winter cruising – when will the winter stoppage programme be published and where will I be able to find it?
A. The 2008/09 winter stoppage programme will be published in time for the National Waterways Festival (23-25 August). You will be able to pick up a copy there. The stoppage programme will be available to download from our stoppages page and stoppages will also be listed on the relevant page for each individual waterway. Alternatively, call Customer Services on 01923 201120.

Patrol Officer chats to boater on a moored boat on the Grand Union Canal

Q. Why can’t I find a Boaters Guide for the Bridgewater Canal?
A. Unfortunately we can only provide Boaters’ Guides for navigations that are owned by British Waterways in England and Wales at the current time. The Scottish waterways are covered by the Skippers' Guides.

Q. How do I sign up to the Boaters' Update?
A. To sign up for your free monthly e-newsletter, simply email your title, first name, surname and postcode to boatersupdate@britishwaterways.co.uk. Read the latest Boaters' Update.

Q. I have subscribed to stoppage alerts for a particular waterway and now want to receive them for a different waterway. What should I do?
A. Email your details to either feedback@waterscape.com or editor@waterscape.com.

Q. Your maps are useful but why is there no scale shown?
A. There is a scale but it is hidden below the fold of the page. Scroll down and look underneath the zoom in/zoom out buttons.

Q. You used to have a route planner on Waterscape.com. Where has it gone?
A. When we re-designed waterscape.com in summer 2005, our route planner was, unfortunately, no longer compatible with the new site. We admit that we underestimated how popular the route planner was, and we fully intend to introduce a new route planner as soon as possible. Sorry!