Thames licence is so complicated compared to BW licence

I'm thinking of going up the Thames for Christmas and the New Year.

Why is it so hard to get a visitor licence and find the costs?  And the stoppages?

I thought it would be nice to spend the New Year in Oxford, but turns out that at least one lock (Cookham) is closed for most of the winter.   Oh dear.

Still, I can get up to the River Wey.  So even before I get to the Wey's individual visitor licensing, why can't I find the cost of a Thames licence for visiting boats on the Environment Agency website?

I went to You are in: Subjects > Navigation > Rivers > River Thames > Craft Registration & Licensing

No luck.  I learn that:

Visitor Registrations

There are three variations of visitor registrations available.

Option 1 Six one day certificates;
Option 2 two 15 consecutive day certificates;
Option 3 one 31 consecutive days certificate;

Since 1 January 2003, boaters visiting the Thames, have been able to 'mix and match' their visitor registration certificates. Boaters can choose from any of the visitor registrations, or from a combination of the three different registration certificates per year.

This will allow visitors to travel along the Thames for a total of 67 days by purchasing up to six one-day registrations, two 15-day registrations and one 31-day registration.

Use Form: Thames Visitor Registration Form

Yes, yes, but what's the cost?  The words 'Use form' suggests a link, but it's not a link.  After much browsing I found another link :

River Thames application for short-period registration of a visiting launch 2008 (PDF)

It starts:  "Applications should be made by post at least ten working days in advance to allow for receipt of the registration and licence before use."

This document is a wonder.  Not only does it test your mathematical skills to the limit in working out a temporary licence fee, but it warns you:

There is a definite legal requirement that every launch shall bear the registered name (as it will appear on the ‘Thames’ registration certificate) on each side of the bow and on the stern in plain letters and figures in the
following minimum sizes:

• 2" (5.1cm) for a launch not more than 20' (6.09m) long.
• 3" (7.6cm) for a launch between 20' (6.09m) and 30' (9.14m) long.
• 4" (10.2cm) for a launch between 30' (9.14m) and 50' (15.23m) long.
• 6" (15.2cm) for a launch exceeding 50' (15.23m).

And the cost?  "Please see table on page 6"

Jesus.  It's not actually the price.  It's the pettifogging complexity and detail.  Those who complain about BW don't know how lucky they are.

I think I'll just motor up Teddington Lock on the day and ask them if I qualify as a 'Thames launch'. 

If I don't like what I hear, I'll turn around and go back to Brentford, snug in my little British Waterways comfort blanket. 

I thought I might just get a Gold licence, but due to arcane Environment Agency rules, they are only available Jan-Dec.  They are also about 50% more expensive than a standard BW licence - a lot to pay for a week of hunting daily for a free mooring.

Comments

[peter mccormick]

Can a british waterways short term licence be used on the upper thames

[Ken Johnson]

Are MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT exempt from EA charges?they may live on a boat as their second home and claim expenses!!
I had the idea of bringing a 7 m cruiser from Liverpool for a few months/year on the Thames but all the regulations seem to be a
bit much.Any good cheap, safe moorings?Liverpool marina will be £1200 so someone tempt me "moonshadow" Skibsplast 700d
Ken Johnson Liverpool SC /YC

[Ray Oakhill]

I am in a similar position. I have had a Gold Licence for the last 2 years, but am not making the most of it as I go on the canal system for a maximum of about 10 weeks in the year.

My boat is on the River Wey, so an annual Thames licence is fairly essential, but I cannot find out how much a short term BW visitors licence will be.

Has anyone any ideas where to get tghis info?
Ray Oakhill

would like a Thames annual licence, but cannot find out how much a BW licence is for a short period

[Simon]

The prices are on the downloadable application form, aren't they? It's only length x beam, and as Sarah says the lockkeeper has to do the sums anyway. It's actually pretty fair considering the numbers of short fat boats around, (although the owners of short fat boats complain about narrowboats as they 'take up all the mooring' - not mine, of course).

Oh, and the name heights are irrelevant - when on a temporary Thames licence, the code number on the bit of paper is your 'name' on the Thames - it would only apply if you had a permanent Thames license, and presumably a unique name (which you probably do, at least).

The Thames is lovely.

[Brian]

I think the EA are doing a special offer at the moment, something like £10 for 3 days any size boat.
Brian

[Sarah]

Or whatever you want, just turn up and buy it from a lockkeeper. Then they do all the silly calculations for you.

[Neil Corbett]

Just roll up at Teddington lock and they'll sell you a one day licence which is plenty of time to reach the Wey, as you actually get the rest of the first day free and the "one day" covers the next full day.

It cost us about £25 as far as I recall, so you'll be a bit more, being longer than us.

The lock into the Wey closes at 6pm, but if you arrive after that there is a good safe mooring just below it where you can wait till they open next day.