Major crackdown on 'continuous moorers'

THERE is a major crackdown on the Oxford Canal on 'continuous moorers'—the boaters who escape paying mooring fees by obtaining a continuous cruiser licence, but then refuse to abide by its rules.

These boaters, act illegally by staying in one place for long periods of time, way beyond the legal maximum allowed, usually at prime moorings, causing legal boaters to very often complain that visitor moorings — many limited to a few days, are taken up permanently by them.

Enforcement group

It was getting to such a pitch on the popular Oxford Canal, particularly towards the city, with so many boats overstaying, with such a mess, that Oxford City Council has paid £44,000 towards the Unlawfully Moored Boats Enforcement Group (UMBEG), to solve the problem.  (Photographs by Maffi.)

The group includes representatives from British Waterways, the Environment Agency and Thames Valley Police, and has launched the crackdown.

Growing problem

The money paid by Oxford City Council is to help pay for enforcement on the Oxford Canal and the Thames over the next two years, with a programme of enforcement to deal with the 'growing problem of illegal moorings'.

City Councillor Susanna Pressel believes that Oxford has been seen as a soft touch by boaters, some were mooring illegally, while others were leaving litter, fly-tipping and trashing green spaces.

Louisa Dean, speaking on behalf of the council explained:

"The UMBEG meetings were set up in 2010 by the enforcement agencies to tackle unlawfully moored boats along the navigable waterways."

Meetings arranged

We are told that meetings are arranged for boaters to make representations, and that the council is working with the other agencies 'to ensure that the banks are kept clear of unlawfully moored boats and those who have a lawful right to moor can do so'.

Other authorities are taking interest in these proceedings.

The phrase 'continuous moorers' was originally coined by Victor Swift, to describe those boaters with a continuous cruiser licence—having no permanent mooring—who not only upset boaters by hogging the best moorings for weeks on end, but give the many genuine continuous cruisers who prefer that way of life, and cruise according to the rules, such a bad name.