TV licence purge on boaters

THE television licensing authority is taking great interest in residential boaters who do not have a television licence, with at the moment this being concentrated in the North.

By law, any residential boater who either watches or records television programmes on a boat, no matter by what device or how received, must have a current television licence.  It does not matter if the boat is permanently moored or is continuously cruising.

The Residential Boat Owners is involved with the interest of its members in this matter, and is giving advice to its boaters about the importance of having a television licence.

Law applies to them

Lucie Bird of the licensing authority explained:

"It is important they [boaters] understand how the law applies to them when it comes to watching or recording television programmes. If they are found watching live television on board without a valid licence, they might get a sinking feeling as they realise they are at risk of prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000."

Exceptions

The exceptions are if the boater has a permanent home on land that has a television licence or is over 75.  To obtain a television licence when afloat, either the mooring address, or a 'care of' address can be used.  The cost at present is £150.50 annually.

It has been pointed out to us that even if the 'care of' address is licenced for receiving television, this will not count as it will not be the boater's permanent home address.