Marinas and boatyards re-open after lockdown
Many narrowboat owners have not been able to visit their boats for a while now due to the COVID-19 lockdown. We are beginning to see a change in the UK to the restrictions, meaning boatyards and marinas will begin to re-open. Before visiting your marina, make sure that you call ahead to check they are open for business.
Whilst the current Government guidance allows you to travel to collect or even visit your boat you should be aware that you are not permitted to stay overnight on board. It has proven very difficult for many to carry out essential maintenance in order to keep the boat in a ‘seaworthy condition’, which is an important condition on many insurance policies - so see our recent blog on general boat maintenance for advice.
If you have any questions about your canal boat insurance cover, contact the team at Collidge & Partners – we’d be happy to have a chat about your policy or provide a narrowboat insurance quote.
UK canals and rivers
Those who were moored on short stay moorings before the lockdown will need to continue to cruise regularly from the 1st June. If you are unable to move your vessel due to self-isolation, we advise you get in touch with your local waterways team to ensure they are aware.
For those who need to renew their licences, the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) have extended the temporary extension to safety certificates that were due an examination to 31st July 2020. The BSS examinations will be begin again for many boat owners but under a ‘new normal’ structure – for further insight into their ‘new normal’ visit their website here.
For the latest update on waterways information please view here.