Sorting out the problem
It seems strange that CaRT has not been able or willing to issue data with regards to how prolific the problem of continuous moorers is (other than issuing 'surprising' figures relating to complaints totalling a big fat zero), writes Graham Phillips.
Firstly please let me say that I do not condone the practice of continuous mooring which is a problem I agree, but certainly not one which is out of control. CaRT have the authority to deal with problem boaters and specifically have 'enforcement officers' and data checkers who should by now have an extremely good idea of the boaters who do not abide by the rules.
Selfish few
Why then does CaRT feel it necessary to penalise every law abiding continuous cruiser and roving trader to achieve its goal of stamping out this practice by a selfish few?
Information has been provided via a Freedom of Information request that shows that 'The Trade' has been putting pressure on CaRT to sort out visitor moorings in general. I believe that over a period of time hire boaters, who have been travelling at the height of the cruising season, have been reporting that they are unable to moor close enough to their pub of choice because of rows of boats already moored.
Braunston
This is something that happens at Braunston (not one of the 22 designated prime mooring spots) on a near daily basis in mid summer. At 2pm the place can be deserted, busy in respect of boats on the move but not many actually stationary. However by 4pm the place is crammed full with no room for the late arrivals—undoubtedly hire boaters.
None of those moored boats are overstayers but the hire boats (who have an extremely large presence in the area) have no idea what the situation was like just two hours previously. They may have booked a table at one of the pubs by the canalside but are not able to moor, so angrily report back to their base when they return that because of queues of boats they were not able to stop and eat. The hire companies then immediately jump to the conclusion that all of the visitor moorings are full of continuous moorers and complain to CaRT. This distorts the facts and anecdotal evidence CaRT has admitted relying on for the basis of these unsubstantiated rule changes.
Have no effect
The proposals for 22 visitor mooring sites in the South region will have no effect whatsoever on reducing mooring congestion but will in effect increase traffic flow and congestion at locks especially at high season, as boats move more regularly between shorter stay visitor moorings. Legitimate continuous cruisers who have every right to spend several months cruising along the Grand Union or Oxford Canal to London and the Thames will no longer be able to without accruing large fines for 'overstaying'. And unless CaRT does actually enforce the rules I don't see they will make any difference to continuous moorers.
My suggestion, like so many others, is to properly assess the situation and determine how prolific the problem is and collect data on a daily basis before rushing headlong and blindly into changes which will have little positive effect on the problem. Target and enforce against those boaters who constantly flaunt the rules as they stand, using enforcement agencies such as the police if violence is indeed regarded as an issue and prosecute where necessary.
Extend moorings
If this was something British Waterways and now CaRT did as a matter of course, we would not be having this debate now. And, if it is found after a sensible amount of time, that congestion problems still exist in some areas look at extending moorings to reduce congestion. I don't think it is in CaRT's own interest to upset all continuous cruisers at a time when they should be building bridges and harmony between all (legitimate) boaters and themselves.