Boat Dwellers

What you need to do if you live on a boat and have a continuous cruising licence

You will need to follow these two rules:

Navigation requirement:

• You must be on a continuous journey around the network.
• Short trips in the same area do not count.

14-day rule:

• You cannot stay in the same place for more than 14 days.
• A "place" means a neighbourhood.
• In rural areas, this could be a village or hamlet.
• In urban areas, this could be a suburb or district.

As stated by the Canal River Trust:

• All boats need a licence to use canals and rivers. 

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Types of licenses

Here are the three main types of licenses you can apply for:

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Private licence

• For personal use.

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Business licence

• For boats used as floating cafes.
• Shops.
• Rented homes.

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Gold licence

•  Allows use on:
  • Canal & River Trust network.
  • Environment Agency waterways.

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Legal advice

• Contact the Kennet and Avon Boating Community.
• They can help you understand your rights.
• Including how to defend yourself in court if your boat is removed.

Different waterways have different licensing authorities

Here are the different authorities you can apply for a license with:

The Broads Authority

• Norfolk and Suffolk broads.

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Canal and River Trust

• Waterways across England and Wales

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The Environment Agency (EA)

• River Thames and River Medway.

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Scottish Canals

• Waterways in Scotland.

Organisations and Facebook groups to get advice and support from other boaters:

Canal Ministries

• Service: Christian evangelists living on waterways across the UK

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Canal River Trust

• Service: Looking after over 2000 miles of canals across England and Wales, with information and advice on their website.
• Website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/

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Kennet and Avon Canal Boaters Society

• Service: Offers advice to boaters on the Kennet and Avon
• Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/178384468913736/

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Liveaboard Boaters' Health and Wellbeing

• Service: Provides health and wellbeing advice
• Website: https://www.facebook.com/people/Liveaboard-Boaters-Health-Wellbeing/100069227206405/

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London Boaters

• Service: Fights for the rights of London's boat dwellers
• Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LondonBoaters

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National Association of Boat Owners

• Service: Represents all private boat owners in the UK
• Website: https://nabo.org.uk/

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National Bargee Travellers Association

• Service: Represents itinerant boaters
• Website: https://www.bargee-traveller.org.uk/

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Waterways Chaplaincy

• Service: Waterways Chaplains offer support to boaters and to all who live, work or just enjoy the canals and waterways in England and Wales. As volunteers, we regularly visit the waterways offering a listening ear or practical help to those we meet or contact us.
• Website: https://waterwayschaplaincy.org.uk/