APCO welcomes business boat decison
THE Association of Pleasure Craft Operators (APCO) welcomes the news that there will now be no big increase in business boat fees for its members, and that the consultation has resulted in business boat licence costs remaining virtually unchanged.
The association invited Richard Parry, the new Chief Executive of Canal & River Trust (CaRT), to its AGM and Conference in Chester, by the Shropshire Union Canal and River Dee—celebrating the 60th anniversary of the birth of the Association—to speak on industry topics which affect the businesses and livelihood of its members, critically dependant upon the canals and rivers of England and Wales, Julie Arnold tells us.
Significant changes
Richard Parry reported the outcome of CaRT's consultation on business boat licences and announced significant changes to its proposals in the light of the responses received from companies that offer canal and river holidays and short cruises on Hire Boats, Day Boats, Hotel Boats and Passenger Trip Boats.
APCO Chairman Tim Parker welcomed the news that the current structure of Holiday Hire Boat licences will be largely retained for 2014 with increases kept in line with those for other waterway users, whilst proposed skippered passenger boat licence changes will be phased in over a number of years and the proposed increases for day hire boat licences will instead be set at a rate just above that for a private boat, with Tim remarking:
Modified proposals
"I am pleased with how CaRT has modified its proposals, especially as a short trip boat cruise or day afloat is often the first experience of boating on our canals and rivers that feeds customers into the rest of the boating industry.
"APCO is delighted that CaRT has listened to the comments and suggestions put forward by pleasure boat operators and made significant changes to the proposals put out for consultation. This demonstrates the value of the boating industry and navigation authorities working together more closely, especially in these challenging economic times.
"APCO members have a wealth of waterways knowledge and business experience that we can contribute and many members are actively involved in Waterways Partnerships. We look forward to the next 60 years of working with CaRT to help manage our canals and rivers, and to continued championing of boating on the whole inland waterways network.
"Our product is unique and we must develop every opportunity to capture people's imagination and continue to entice them to enjoy Britain aboard a boat, on the water."