Vegetation 'control' and continuous cruisers

WE have just returned from 14 weeks out on our boat. I make the following comments about vegetation ‘control' and continuous cruisers, writes Bob Hallam.

The South East region seem to have a much better idea than any others we've seen on how vegetation control should be done.

Thank you South East

Certainly on the Grand Union Leicester Main Line from Watford Gap to Foxton until the boundary further North! In many places, the towpath side has been neatly trimmed for one, two or sometimes three boat lengths, well away from ‘official' moorings. In almost all places, there is a wonderful view, no overhanging trees and plenty of depth to get to the bank. Thank you South East boys and girls.

The Midlands region is a disaster! The Trent & Mersey, apart from the leaking lock gates and heavy paddles, has almost nowhere deep enough to get to the bank, and of course if you try to get there, the vegetation is indeed deep, and we have passed several times over a period of several weeks.

Continuous cruisers

They don't always moor on the official marked moorings, they often use the last bollard and moor ‘just off'—and that includes the water points in some places!

Now, in order to create a clear picture about whether they are ‘continuous cruisers' or otherwise, how do I tell whether they have a ‘home mooring?' The only boats with ‘known' moorings are those where the British Waterways 'M' mooring permit is displayed. Boats like ours (with a private marina berth) have no identification of having a mooring!

No difference

How do I know whether they are ‘continuous cruisers?' There is no difference as far as I can see in the displayed licence (other than the ‘Gold' licence)!

Is it possible (and maybe desirable) to have a disc supplied by the authority and filled in by the marina/berth holder?