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BW boat's registration (number) plate

Grace and Favour

By Grace and Favour
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Grace and Favour Veteran II

Grace and Favour

Posted
Posted

I've received my first BW registration plates - and currently have them proudly adorning my kitchen table . . .

 

I recognise that they are oft affixed to the top rear of cabin sides - but is that a legal requirement - or could I fit them further forward - or even within a window next to our Licence?

Jim Collaborator

Jim

Posted
Posted
I've received my first BW registration plates - and currently have them proudly adorning my kitchen table . . .

 

I recognise that they are oft affixed to the top rear of cabin sides - but is that a legal requirement - or could I fit them further forward - or even within a window next to our Licence?

 

I just have mine stuck in the window - but I do have the index number painted on the top rear cabin side. I've had the numbers checked by BW staff three times (to my knowledge). On two occasions they looked at the licence disc and on the third (Harecastle) they just asked me what the number was!

DHutch Veteran II

DHutch

Posted
Posted

Im sure theres rules on where the ment to be, but sadly or otherwise this is loosely policed at best, a lot place them in there front windows also, which is where ours are. Just rested in the second slot of the ali frames.

 

 

Daniel

Chagall Experienced

Chagall

Posted
Posted

So is it a legal requirement to display the plates, or is possible to have just the printed labels with ones number and boat name on it? and if both are needed is it okay to jut have the boat number painted on rather than use the nasty tin plates that have no elegance about them at all!

Grace and Favour Veteran II

Grace and Favour

Posted
  • Author
Posted
So is it a legal requirement to display the plates, or is possible to have just the printed labels with ones number and boat name on it? and if both are needed is it okay to jut have the boat number painted on rather than use the nasty tin plates that have no elegance about them at all!

 

I believe the requirement is that the numbers must be displayed on both sides of the boat, with the numbers at least the same size as on the 'nasty alloy plates'

Chris J W Influencer

Chris J W

Posted
Posted
I believe the requirement is that the numbers must be displayed on both sides of the boat, with the numbers at least the same size as on the 'nasty alloy plates'

 

That sounds about right.

Chagall Experienced

Chagall

Posted
Posted
That sounds about right.

Okay, so instead of the 'nasty alloy' plates do you suppose I could paint them the same size as on the plates and be within legal requirements?

Albion Influencer

Albion

Posted
Posted
Okay, so instead of the 'nasty alloy' plates do you suppose I could paint them the same size as on the plates and be within legal requirements?

 

I had my reg number painted on both the rear stern sides of Albion, just below the trad handrails, for 7 years and never got questioned about it once. We also had the same arrangement for the boat before that (Naiad) which we also had for 7 years and, again, it was never mentioned. BW have far too much to worry about with all the unlicensed, un-named, un-traceable craft on the system to worry about someone who goes to all the trouble of displaying a 'sign-written' number instead of those horrible plates.

Roger

alan_fincher Veteran II

alan_fincher

Posted
Posted

This one comes around often enough, perhaps Dan needs to place it in Frequently Asked Questions. :lol:

 

You do not have to display the standard BW registration plate, but must obey the appropriate bye-law.....

 

The Bye-laws say

 

"5 (1) Every vessel on any canal shall have exhibited on the outside thereof so as to be clearly legible at all times at a distance of twenty yards

 

(i) her name and such index mark and number (if any) as the Board shall have assigned to the vessel"

 

The other clauses in this section do not apply to pleasure vessels.

 

As has been previously observed, no mention is made of the quality of the inspecting person's eyesight, lighting conditions - on the face of it "at all times" means it must still be clearly legible during the hours of darkness.....

 

But that's your official answer, and so far as I know not superseded by anything later than the 1965 version of the bye-laws.

carlt Veteran II

carlt

Posted
Posted

I recall, about, 12 years ago, we were booked into Charity for a mass winter docking.

 

As usual we left it until the last day, before the stoppages, to leave Cropredy in a big convoy of wooden boats in various states of disrepair.

 

We came upon Napton Narrowboats and one of the lovely people ran from the office, with notebook and pen.

 

Someone from each boat ran inside to grab our index plates and then stood on the roof holding them up, so he could record them, to report whatever crime he felt we were committing.

 

Fortunately I was steering the boat, so I was unable to perform this deed, nor the finishing flourish, which confirmed to our concerned member of the public that the sun, indeed, doesn't shine where we felt he should stick his notebook.

 

I have subsequently mounted my plates on the cratch board and never had anyone complain.

Mrs Humdinger Contributor

Mrs Humdinger

Posted
Posted (edited)

I wouldn't be too keen to fix the plates to the metalwork, especially if you have a nice shiny new boat. When I walked along our moorings 3 or 4 of the other boats had the plates fixed on the outside which had caused some rust marks. I know alloy doesn't rust, but think it was probably from the screws that had been used in the fixing. I'd either get it sign written on, or use some sticky numbers!

 

As an aside, having just had a quick look at sticky numbers because we'll need some, do you have to include the BW Logo next to the numbers?

 

Slightly off topic, but any excuse, Humdinger was sign written yesterday (without the magic number, unfortunately). Not long to go now!

 

 

Edited as I just thought of something else!!

Edited by Mrs Humdinger
Grace and Favour Veteran II

Grace and Favour

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1)) I wouldn't be too keen to fix the plates to the metalwork, especially if you have a nice shiny new boat. When I walked along our moorings 3 or 4 of the other boats had the plates fixed on the outside which had caused some rust marks. I know alloy doesn't rust, but think it was probably from the screws that had been used in the fixing. I'd either get it sign written on, or use some sticky numbers!

 

As an aside, having just had a quick look at sticky numbers because we'll need some, do you have to include the BW Logo next to the numbers?

 

")) Slightly off topic, but any excuse, Humdinger was sign written yesterday (without the magic number, unfortunately). Not long to go now!

 

 

Edited as I just thought of something else!!

1)) Aye - thank you- one should never use mild steel screws, and the index plates should be insulated from the cabin sides I understand . . . (BW recommend a neoprene gasket)

 

2)) - Exciting - new sign-writing - - - it's wonderful when just done - - it somehow adds a final flourish of identity to one's boat! :lol:

 

This one comes around often enough, perhaps Dan needs to place it in Frequently Asked Questions. :lol:

 

<<Snippity>>

 

Alan - many thanks - - I hadn't found it within my 'CWF Search' - - whish is unusual for me (he added - defensively) :lol:

alan_fincher Veteran II

alan_fincher

Posted
Posted
As an aside, having just had a quick look at sticky numbers because we'll need some, do you have to include the BW Logo next to the numbers?

No,

 

As indicated above, this is what the Bye-Laws require you to have.....

 

"5 (1) Every vessel on any canal shall have exhibited on the outside thereof so as to be clearly legible at all times at a distance of twenty yards

 

(i) her name and such index mark and number (if any) as the Board shall have assigned to the vessel"

 

That's all you need - nothing else, if it's a pleasure vessel.

 

(Not surprising the silly BW logo is not on the list really - it didn't exist when these were drafted!)

Matthew Knowles Proficient

Matthew Knowles

Posted
Posted
"5 (1) Every vessel on any canal shall have exhibited on the outside thereof so as to be clearly legible at all times at a distance of twenty yards

 

(i) her name and such index mark and number (if any) as the Board shall have assigned to the vessel"

 

So maybe I should call my boat 59016 to save signwriting costs?

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