UK BOATERS COULD BE PRICED OUT AS ABOVE INFLATION LICENCE FEES BITE
Above inflation price increases to the licence fees will risk pricing boaters off the system or result in them being unable to pay. That’s the warning from the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) regarding the Canal & River Trust’s (CRT) proposals to its boat licence fee.
The IWA says that bearing in mind the CRT is dependent on a government grant that is not inflation linked for a good part of its income and needs to raise more from other sources to compensate, increasing the licence fee beyond inflation could result in a net loss.
Proposals have been made to raise licence fees for continuous cruisers above those with home moorings, however the IWA says it is impossible to define continuous cruisers and the proposal to charge more for continuous cruisers would be an administrative nightmare, open to abuse and highly divisive within the boating community. But the IWA says the proposal to charge by area would bring it in line with Environment Agency registration fees.
The IWA would like to see CRT achieving a considerable increase in the non-boating income from all those who currently enjoy the waterways and whose benefits will suffer if they deteriorate.
In addition, the IWA says it will continue to campaign for local and national government to recognise the many benefits including health and wellbeing that the inland waterways provide to a large part of the population and fund them accordingly.
ANTIFOUL POLLUTION IS ADDRESSED
The negative environmental impact of antifoul chemicals used in boat maintenance are being addressed by Eyemouth Marine.
The company has installed a new pollution prevention system (PPS) supplied by FiltaBund that will process toxic antifoul water mixture and pump out fresh, clean water, minimising harm to local wildlife and ecosystems.
“We welcome this significant investment from Eyemouth Marine who are taking the lead in keeping our waters clean,” said Andy Ashcroft, executive director, Berwickshire Marine Reserve in Scotland.
“These positive steps will contribute to our collective efforts to protect the reserve and marine life in the area.”
DUTCH BARGE IS ABLE TO CRUISE IN VIRTUAL SILENCE
Staffordshire, UK boatbuilder Piper Boats has chosen Hoppecke batteries for its latest Dutch-style barge. The new model is purpose-designed for the UK market with the installed energy system allowing the boat to cruise in virtual silence.
“We know of Hoppecke and its excellent reputation in the motive power sector so opted to partner with them because we needed a reliable energy source that would power a parallel hybrid drive,” said Simon Piper, MD of the family run business.
“Hoppecke batteries were the best choice for a safe and trouble- free solution, and everyone is delighted with the end result.”
Hoppecke supplied a custom-built battery bank which integrates with the boat’s 48v DC hybrid system designed and manufactured by A R Peachment of Norfolk. The hybrid system is combined with a Nanni engine, which delivers extra range and power during river flood conditions.
“Our first project with Piper Boats posed an interesting challenge as a Dutch-style barge is wider and shorter than the narrowboats we’re familiar with,” said Hoppecke’s general manager, Stuart Browne. “Since the layout is quite different, we created a bespoke energy system that fits into a special container housed in the mid-deck area.”
16 | The Report • June 2023 • Issue 104
UK Marine News
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