Thames Moorings

[Tim Lewis]

FRom the EA today:

 

f you received a 2021 boat registration renewal reminder from us, you will be aware from the
accompanying newsletter that we appointed District Enforcement Ltd (DE) to help us manage vessels
moored in locations where we are the landowner, between our locks, along the non-tidal River Thames.
DE were to implement management arrangements on our behalf based on contract law and setting terms
and conditions of use designed to considerably reduce the number of boaters mooring for longer than we
gave them permission, and preventing other boaters from enjoying our facilities.
Due to Coronavirus, the introduction of those new arrangements was put on hold.
In the meantime, we have worked with DE to refine the arrangements in response to feedback from
boaters and colleagues, and have made some changes to those that previously outlined.
Those revised arrangements are being rolled out to sites from this week, week commencing Monday 26
April.
This briefing note provides more information on those arrangements, so that you are aware of what the
new rules are, and why we have introduced them.
We feel they strike a good balance between our twin goals of supporting all types of boating on the non-
tidal Thames, and preventing misuse of our facilities by an inconsiderate minority. We hope you agree.
Please note that existing arrangements for short stay moorings at our locks, which are managed by lock
and weir keepers, remain the same.
Thank you for your support.
River Thames Waterways Team
What has changed?
The main change is that we have decided to remove the requirement that boats register on arrival at any of our sites. Stays of up to 24 hours can be enjoyed at each location without any further action required.
What arrangements will now be in place?
The arrangements will be set out in full on signage at all the locations that DE will be managing on our
behalf. By mooring, boaters are agreeing to the conditions, and the associated fees and charges.
Our fundamental driver for introducing them is to ensure that all responsible boaters are able to use our
mooring sites in the way we intend them to be used, and the way responsible boaters themselves want to
use them – to stay for a short period of time at a particular location, to enjoy the attractions on offer locally,
before moving on to do the same at another location, freeing up the berth for someone else to use.
The arrangements differ slightly between designated short stay mooring sites, and wild mooring sites

[Mike Adams]

Here is t

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boater briefingManaging short stay moorings at Environment Agency-owned locations on the non-tidal River ThamesV1 April2021IntroductionIf you received a 2021 boat registration renewal reminderfrom us, you will be aware from the accompanying newsletter that we appointed District Enforcement Ltd (DE) to help us manage vessels moored in locations where we are the landowner, between our locks, along the non-tidal RiverThames.DE were to implement management arrangements on our behalf based on contract law and setting terms and conditions of use designed to considerably reduce the number of boaters mooringfor longer than we gave them permission, and preventing other boaters from enjoying our facilities.Due to Coronavirus, the introduction of those new arrangements was put on hold.In the meantime, we have worked with DE to refine the arrangementsin response to feedback from boaters and colleagues, and have made some changes to those that previously outlined.Those revised arrangements arebeingrolled out to sites from this week, week commencing Monday 26 April.This briefing note provides more information on those arrangements, so that you are aware of what the new rules are, and why we have introduced them.We feel they strike a good balance between our twin goals of supporting all types of boating on the non-tidal Thames, and preventing misuse of our facilities by an inconsiderate minority.We hope you agree.Please note that existing arrangements for short stay moorings at our locks, which are managed by lock and weir keepers, remain the same.Thank you for your support.River Thames Waterways TeamWhat has changed?The main change is that we have decided to remove the requirement that boats register on arrival at any of our sites.Stays of up to 24 hours can be enjoyed at each location without any further action required.What arrangements will now be in place?The arrangements will be set out in full on signage at all the locations that DE will be managing on our behalf. By mooring, boaters are agreeing to the conditions, and the associated fees and charges.Our fundamental driver for introducing themis to ensure that all responsible boaters are able to use our mooring sites in the way we intend them to be used, and the way responsible boaters themselves want to use them –to stay for a short period of time at a particular location, to enjoy the attractions on offer locally, before moving on to do the same at anotherlocation, freeing up the berth for someone else to use.The arrangements differ slightly between designated short stay mooring sites, and wild mooring sites.The key points are as follows.

 

Designated short stay mooring sitesBetween our locks, we maintain designated short stay mooring sites at 17 different locations, providing a combined total of more than 3km of safe mooring space. We encourage mooring in these locations, and provide some infrastructure to facilitate it. These sites are listed on GOV.UK.Here, mooring will be permitted for up to 24 hours without fee, and for up to 2 additional days for a fee of just £5 per day. Payments for stays of 2-3 days must be made in advance. By far the easiest way to do this will bevia DE’s dedicated moorings website: www.where2moor.co.uk. Payments can also be made by phone if it is not possible to access the website for any reason -the number to call is given on the on-site signage.Cash payment is not possible.No return will be permitted within 24 hours.Wildmooring sitesWe also own other sections of riverbank where we do not encourage mooring, butallow it for a limited period of time, as part of the public right of navigation.These 'wild mooring'sites are often areas of naturalised riverbank. We do not provide any infrastructure to facilitate mooring, and boaters moor in these locations entirely at their own risk.Mooring here will be permitted for up to 24 hours only, without fee. No return willbe permitted within 72 hours.Over time and where we consider it appropriate, we hope to develop some wild mooring sites and allow stays of up to 3 days –for a fee –at those locations tooMonitoring complianceTrained, uniformed DE employees will carryout regular checks at these sites, recording the presence of boats and evidence of any non-compliance using body-worn cameras to support the application and recovery of any appropriate charges. Users who are in breach of any of the conditions will be charged an additional £150 by DE. DE will send a Mooring Charge Notice (MCN), setting out the amount due and the reasons why. The MCN will also explain how the recipient can pay reduced charges (by paying promptly) or appeal against the notice should they choose to do so. Questions and answers?Q1How will we know whether any conditions of use apply when we moor in a particular location?A1At Environment Agency-owned locations signage will set out what conditions apply and must be complied with. We cannot comment on the arrangements in place at the many additional mooring sites provided by others.Q2What has prompted the changes to the arrangements?A2We’ve made the changes in response to some useful feedback from our own staff and from the boating community.Q3Are you allowed to appoint DE to manage moorings on your behalf in this way?A3Yes. We have the same rights under Land Lawas every other landowner to set conditions controlling use of our land, including the application of fees and charges, andto contract with third parties to act on our behalf or exercise certain of our rights.

   

Now I know why so many boats on the Thames don't have any visible identification on them. I don't like any of this but at least when you had to sign in as we recently did you had some proof of the time you arrived. I can see endless disputes over overstaying and confusion over which boat did it!

I am also concerned that by legally doing something you are entitled to do i.e. moor up for 24 hours in the course of navigation you are agreeing to DE terms and conditions.

 

[john6767]

I don’t like the idea of the car park company involvement, but I guess if it helps in keeping more moorings available for use when cruising, it is a good thing.  Not having to register on arrival is welcome too, but I presume that only applies to the EA moorings managed by DE, not the other land owner ones.