BW destroys boats in licence crackdown

The License it or Lose it campaign aims to raise awareness amongst the boating community of the consequences of failure to obtain a valid licence. Under the British Waterways Act (1983) BW has the legal right to seize any boats that do not have a valid licence and, for boats valued under £1000, to then destroy them. Boats valued over £1000 are sold allowing BW to recover costs for removal, storage and brokerage.

Two unlicensed boats have been destroyed

Since March the authority has seized six unlicensed boats from the region's waterways with a further two being destroyed. As part of the initiative posters, which show the boats being destroyed, will be positioned at lock sites, marinas, boat clubs and BW facilities throughout the East Midlands.

All boats that use BW's network of canals and rivers are required to display a licence that allows them to legally cruise on the waterways. Just like a road tax disc, boat owners must provide evidence that their boat meets safety standards (through the Boat Safety Scheme) and has third-party insurance before being issued with a licence. Unlicensed boats may not have these measures in place causing potential safety risks to other river users.

Licence evasion is unfair to boaters who abide by the rules

Richard Noble, British Waterways leisure business manager, said; "This campaign further demonstrates our commitment to pursuing the small minority of irresponsible boaters that don’t purchase a valid boat licence. Licence evasion is not only unfair to those boaters that do abide by the rules but it can also pose serious safety threats to other boaters".

He continues "We are continually looking for new methods to enforce the rules and have recently held discussions with marina operator BWML that will allow us for the first time to remove unlicensed boats from their private marinas further restricting unlicensed boaters’ ability to enjoy the waterways."

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