Alan de Enfield

So a newbies 1st post on that Piston-heads' forum AND on this forum -and the question is identical. If it walks like duck and sounds like a duck its probably "Artificial Ignorance"

If you are drunk, bang your head as you fall in, have a heart attack, or ........................ Then you probably are unable to stand up. The canals are generally less than 3 feet deep, but, you can drown in 6" of water.

You forgot running a vehicle costs - but, still not bad for 15 minutes work ! Yes, but you only file once a year.

"Go Limited" - problem solved.

The subject appears to be "gas fitting" and LadyG says that the gas bods have to pay to issue a certificate. I think she is confusing it with the BSS certificate. Certainly we have to have a landlords certificate, for our caravans, - and - they are not cheap !

"No, I have no preference, please arrange to have it taken wherever you feel is best"

I take it that you are aware that the Bridgewater had a major breach and will be closed for transit until December 2026 at the earliest ? The Bridgewater Canal at Little Bollington suffered a major breach on New Year’s Day 2025, with full navigation expected to resume by December 20 Incident Overview The breach occurred at Little Bollington, near Dunham Massey, following significant rainfall and flooding, which caused a section of the canal to collapse. Emergency measures were immediately implemented, including stoplogs and temporary dams, to isolate the affected section and prevent further water loss. Approximately 1.9 miles (3 km) of the canal were drained, and floodwater spilled onto surrounding farmland, prompting temporary closures of public rights of way. Close to Lymm

This year I changed from Craftinsure to Haven Knox Johnson and paid some £150 extra to do so. The reason for the change was that Craftinsure wanted a survey ( at some £1000 inc lift out / in and the survey) whilst HKJ did not. Sometimes you need to look beyond the 'headlines' to get the best deal.

I don't know - it may depend on the LA rules / requirements. The only ones I have assisted in claiming have been 12 month, registered residential moorings.

Thje government will pay your mooring fees and boat licence fees, if you are entitled to get 'universal credit'. From C&RT ....................... A rise in the costs of the boat licence would increase the proportion of income liveaboard boaters spend on accommodation, this would impact most on those on lower or fixed income (see below). However, the boat licence increase would have to be very high before it impacted significantly on the affordability to live on a boat. Even if the average boat licence price were to double, therefore increasing the accommodation costs for living on a boat, the cost of living on a boat would still be well below that spent on accommodation costs by households on a median income in England and Wales, and less than a quarter of that spent by households on a median income in London. Boaters who continuously cruise do not pay a mooring fee, or for accessing water, Elsan, or refuse facilities provided by the Trust, so the cost of living on a boat would remain comparatively more affordable than median-priced rented homes on land. Increased licence fees will impact on ability to afford to continuously cruise. Impact 52% of continuous cruisers responding to the 2023 boat licence review consultation stated that finding a more affordable way to live is often a motivation to taking up their lifestyle. The introduction ofIncreased licence fees will impact on ability to afford to continuously cruise. a surcharge for CC boaters may impact on some, who could find it harder to afford to remain living on the water. However, above when compared with alternative land-based accommodation costs, living on the water would still be a much more affordable option. The added cost of an increase in the boat licence could be a contributing factor in their ability to continue to boat or to continue to live aboard their boat. The increase would have a greater impact on those boaters living aboard their boat; for those who could no longer afford to live aboard their boat, this could lead to homelessness and the need to seek housing provision from their local council. Mitigation The Trust, alongside organisations such as the Waterway Chaplains, can provide welfare support including signposting to financial support and help with benefits applications. We can also offer boaters the option to spread payments for licence fees across the year by direct debit, and for those facing extreme financial difficulties, can offer support with payment plans. Housing benefit/universal credit support is available for those who are on very low income. An increase in boat licence fees would be covered by housing benefit/universal credit. Assistance to claim benefits can be provided

C&RT seem to be under the impression they are for CC liveaboards, and are used to avoid having to comply with the movement requirements during (what can be) the difficult conditions of winter time and closures. (Basically you are paying 'protection money' so C&RT do not take enforcement action if you don't move about).

Many moons ago when we had a mooring (leisure) in Kings Marina at Newark. There were 12 residential moorings and BWML had applied for, and been granted, an additional 8 residential moorings. BWML were asked by the Council how they wanted to have the CT calculated. BWML approached the mooring committe and asked if they wanted to have a composite or individual CT, explaining that if they decided to have a composite rate of CT they would be required to move moorings every 6 months. UPROAR ! we are not moving those moorings are ours, we are not moving. BWML left it to the committe to come back with a decision. A week or two later the vote went for keeping 'individual' CT. I took the chairman and the secretary aside and asked if they understood the difference - anyway, they had no idea but said we want to keep our moorings. I explained that if they keep 'individual ratings' each individual boat will have to pay Band A council tax to the council. However, if they go for a composite they will pay 1/20th of the total rating. Band A was about £1200 The composite CT totalled £2500 so 1/20th meant each boat would pay £125 (instead of £1200) The penny dropped - Wow no one has explained that before, but what about the moving twice a year. Again, it took a simple explantion, and when they realised they could simply change places with their 'next door' neighbour and move the boat about 10 feet sideways, and 6 months later move 10 feet back again - they wouldn't even need to unplug the electric. Amazingly the vote did a 180 about turn with a unanimous vote for the composite CT.

Not many canal boats are fitted with a centre board so the replies maybe fewer than you hoped. Which country are you based in ?

It certainly is - I spent almost a year in legal arguments with my local planning authority, they not only told lies, they invented legislation. I ended up starting legal action and had the support of the Governments Rural Planning Advisor, and my local MP and a QC. I learned a lot, knew I was correct, and eventually they backed down and gave me monetary compensation for the "inconvenience and flawed advice", on the condition I never released the details of the problem or the resolution. It was a stressful time ! No, I'm OK on rural / agricultural planning laws but as far as the Waterways is concerned I only know what little I read, and believe it is something to do with the 28 day law, which also applies to things like car-boot sales and why they must move to a different 'field' after 28 days in any calender year