Waterways set to trickle back into action as lockdown eases

IN A gradual easing of lockdown measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic, boaters can now visit their vessels provided the moorings or marinas have reopened.

At the time of going to press, the latest government guidance in England stated day trips to outdoor open spaces, in a private vehicle, are permitted while practising social distancing from other people outside your household. Separate rules applied elsewhere in the UK.

Giving its interpretation of the announcement, the Canal & River Trust advised: “You can now visit your boat, provided both you and your boat are in England. Clearly you will have to confirm that your mooring provider has opened the site where your boat is moored and that you can access it safely. Alternatively, your mooring provider may be able to carry out checks on your behalf if they are continuing to restrict access.

“Overnight stays are not permitted, so we advise against travelling long distances to visit your boat.”

Previously published guidance regarding the limited use of towpaths and need for social distancing remain in place.

Short-stay visitor moorings, which would usually have returned to their normal times on April 1, were extended, enabling boaters to stay for 14 days until May 23, when it was due to be reviewed.

According to the Government’s advice, all forms of watersports practised on open waterways, including sailing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, surfing and paddleboarding, were allowed to resume from May 13.

All of these activities must be done alone or with members of your household, and you must always follow social distancing guidelines when encountering others.

CRT stressed: “Watersport activity is permitted for exercise but should not be used for travelling long distances as navigation is still restricted.”

Waterways hire boat holidays are not set to resume before July 4. The Broads Authority announced that it was able to welcome boaters back, day visits only, because maintenance of its waterways had continued throughout the lockdown, see story on page 2.

Canal & River Trust announces three-phase approach to reopening navigations,

IN LINE with the latest government advice issued as we went to press, the Canal & River Trust has announced the phased reopening of navigation to private boating across its waterways in England.

From May 13, private boaters could undertake short boating trips – avoiding use of locks and any staff-operated structures if possible – providing they do not stay away from home overnight and return to their home mooring (where they have one).

From Saturday, May 23 mooring exemptions will come to an end and the trust’s guidance for continuous cruisers comes back into force. This doesn’t mean that every boat without a home mooring needs to move on this day, just that the trust expects it to move off its current mooring within 14 days (by June 6).

Boaters in a high-risk group who need to continue to shield or self-isolate can agree special arrangements with their licence support officer if they haven’t already done so.

From Monday, June 1 the trust anticipates that its navigations will reopen in full, subject to some local exceptions, making longer journeys on the water possible.

According to current government guidance, those who do not live aboard should not stay overnight. The trust is seeking further clarification as to whether overnight stays will be permissible once full navigation resumes.

Richard Parry, chief executive of the Canal & River Trust, said: “I am delighted that the Government has enabled us to announce plans to start to get boating back to normal across English waterways. We ask customers to make just short, local trips from today, with full navigation restored from June 1, as it will take time to get the entire network fully operational, and booking for some passages and services will be required.

“Some sections may be closed for a longer period and our website will be kept up to date with the latest information and advice. Please remember that social distancing continues to be maintained, with only members of your household able to go aboard your boat until further notice.”

Advice may be different for boats on canals elsewhere in the UK.