Winter moorings on sale today

THE Canal & River Trust's winter moorings for 2015/16 go on sale today, (Thursday) offering boaters the chance to moor for the winter at a wide selection of sites on the waterways.

The Trust explains that it offers winter moorings to support the continuous cruising lifestyle. They offer boaters the chance to have a respite from cruising during the harshest months of the year from the start of November to the end of February.

A variety

There are a variety of winter moorings available with some situated near facilities on selected visitor moorings and some at quieter towpath spots for boaters who want a bit more solitude. The Trust also created sites where boaters moored last year, and has added further sites following feedback from boaters. Maps of the winter mooring locations can be seen here.

Mike Grimes, head of boating at the Trust, explained:

"We offer winter moorings as a way of supporting the continuous cruising lifestyle. In winter, cruising can be harder as weather conditions become more challenging, with the potential for freezing water, bitter winds and sleet, and ground like granite. We are offering a wide selection of winter moorings to give boaters across the country a chance to tie up for the season. Not every boater wants to stop moving so we've made sure that where we offer winter moorings on visitor mooring sites, at least half the space will be left free for cruising boats."

Both continuous cruisers and boaters with a home mooring will be able to take up a winter mooring. However the Trust states that boaters who are not meeting their licence requirements may not be eligible.