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10 March 2016 10 March 2016 UPDATE ON LICENSING PROCESS FOR BOATS WITHOUT HOME MOORINGS Further to its announcement on 13 February 2015, the Canal & River Trust has updated its process for licensing boats without a home mooring. From 1 May 2016, as originally planned, the Trust will no longer offer three month restricted licences to boaters who have not been meeting the terms of their ‘continuous cruiser’ licence. In May 2015 the Trust launched an information drive to provide greater clarity to boaters without a home mooring. This has included: getting in touch early to let boaters know when they haven’t been moving enough to meet the terms of their licence; sending out information packs when people take up a ‘continuous cruising’ licence; and sending text messages to overstaying boats to see if they need any help. Over 5,000 boats without a home mooring have had their movement patterns reviewed prior to licence renewal and, where there were concerns, licences for shorter durations (three or six months) were offered to enable the customer to establish a more acceptable range of movement. Mike Grimes, head of boating at the Canal & River Trust, said: “Our emphasis on better communication, alongside a defined period in which to resolve problem cruising patterns, seems to be having a positive effect. It has been encouraging to see that many boaters on short duration licences have been able to increase their range of movement, while a number have opted to take home moorings. Half of those issued with a three month licence, and nearly two-thirds of those issued a six month licence, improved their cruising pattern whilst on a restricted licence and were offered further licences on this basis. “It was always the intention that offering three month restricted licences would be a temporary measure whilst the approach bedded in during its first year. Six month restricted licences may still be offered to those boats that aren’t quite meeting the movement requirements to allow them a final opportunity to show an improvement. Boats without a home mooring that are not moving in line with our guidance, despite all the communication they have received, will no longer be offered a licence of any duration. We are continuing our programme of education and communication, which I believe is essential in meeting the needs of both boaters and the Trust, to ensure everyone can enjoy our canals and rivers. “Our enforcement team, supported by the Trust’s welfare officer Sean Williams, will always approach each case sympathetically. Since 1 May 2015 we’ve granted over 860 extended stays and equality adjustments for boaters without a home mooring. We’d urge any boater running into difficulties to talk to us about their situation as early as possible to explore what temporary solutions we can find.” A chart of the process and the latest statistics will be available here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/licensing-your-boat/enforcement/continuous-cruising-monitoring-process ENDS For further media requests please contact: Fran Read, national press officer, Canal & River Trust m 07796 610 427 e fran.read@canalrivertrust.org.uk The Canal & River Trust is a new charity entrusted with the care of 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales. Get involved, join us - Visit / Donate / Volunteer at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk - Sign up for our newsletter at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/newsletter Canal & River Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales with company number 7807276 and charity number 1146792. Registered office address First Floor North, Station House, 500 Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 1BB. Elusen newydd yw Glandŵr Cymru sy’n gofalu am 2,000 o filltiroedd o ddyfrffyrdd yng Nghymru a Lloegr. Cymerwch ran, ymunwch â ni - Ewch i Rhoddion a Gwirfoddoli yn www.glandwrcymru.org.uk Mae Glandŵr Cymru yn gwmni cyfyngedig drwy warant a gofrestrwyd yng Nghymru a Lloegr gyda rhif cwmni 7807276 a rhif elusen gofrestredig 1146792. Swyddfa gofrestredig: First Floor North, Station House, 500 Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 1BB.