{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFS120617\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E(Published November 2024, replacing\u0026nbsp;January 2022)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3 class=\u0022ScoutSubHead\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAccess\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EMost inland waters in England and Wales are privately owned and permission must be gained from the owner before carrying out any activities on these waters. There are some places where permission is not required:- the sea, most stretches of tidal water and some public and common law navigations. There are also waters which require licences in order for them to be used. This page gives details of these waters and the licensing authorities who manage them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIdentification of craft\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAll boats operated owned or operated by members on behalf of the Scouts must have a unique identifier. This could be in the form of a sticker, clearly marked number, or simply be part of a small fleet made up of different coloured boats. Some craft such as dinghies already have unique numbers which could be used for this purpose. The unique identifier will enable groups to monitor the checking, maintenance and use of each boat. This will also assist with the long term planning for renewal and the budget implications associated with such renewals.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ELicensing\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003EAuthorities\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe Scouts purchase an annual bulk licence to cover all members operating on Canal and River Trust waters in non-motorized craft. \u003C/span\u003EThis applies to the use of waters which fall within their \u003Ca href=\u0022https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/buy-your-boat-licence\u0022\u003Estandard licensing scheme\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFor powered craft both long and short term licences are available directly from the\u00A0\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/buy-your-boat-licence\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Canal river trust\u0022\u003ECanal and River Trust\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Canal and River Trust"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIn addition members who also hold membership with the PaddleUK can benefit from their member river licensing benefits, this applies to the same Canal and River Trust waters but also to those managed by the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities. To benefit from this \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://paddleuk.org.uk/waterways-licences/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Waterways Licences (Paddle UK)\u0022\u003Echeck out full details on their website\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"PaddleUK Waterways Licences"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAll craft using water above Teddington must be registered or exempted by the Environment Agency - Thames Region.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EScout Groups should apply to the Environment Agency for exemption or licence of craft which are owned by the Group and are used solely for training purposes, different rates apply for single use, annual use and motorized boats.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/river-thames-boat-registration-and-application-forms\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Gov website\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFind out more information.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","label":"River Thames"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ELicences for the Wey and Godalming Navigations are available direct from\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/river-wey-and-godalming-navigations-and-dapdune-wharf\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022River Wey and Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf\u0022\u003ENational Trust Navigation Office\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Wey and Godalming Navigations"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ELicences for both the Medway and the Royal Military Canal are available from the\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EEnvironment Agency\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, Scout Groups should apply to the Environment Agency for exemption or licence of craft which are owned by the Group and are used solely for training purposes, different rates apply for single use, annual use and motorised\u0026nbsp;boats.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/river-thames-boat-registration-and-application-forms\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Gov website\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFind out more information.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENote:\u003C/strong\u003E The Royal Military Canal permits access to non-powered craft only.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","label":"River Medway, Navigation, and the Royal Military Canal"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThere is a public right of passage from Welshpool to Gloucester. Craft owned or operated by The Scout Association (and identified by a member carrying some evidence of membership) are covered by the BWA Act 1971 concession.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"River Severn"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThis is a statutory navigation. The exact status of the River above Hey is disputed and local advice should be taken.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"River Wye"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022http://www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk/boating/licensing\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Find out more about licensees\u0022\u003EClick to find out more about licences.\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ECraft in possession of a Canal and River Trust licence are covered under a reciprocal arrangement, therefore scouts operating in non-powered craft are exempt from the requirement for a separate licence, evidence of current membership must be carried by the group.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Bridgewater Canal"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EGreat Ouse, Nene, Ancholme, Stour, Welland and Glen require a licence via the Environment Agency. Licences are available from\u00A0\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/anglian-waterways-boat-registration-and-application-forms\u0022\u003EThe Environment Agency \u2013 Anglia Region\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Anglian Rivers"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAll craft using the Norfolk boards are subject to licencing, licences are available from the\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/owning-a-boat/tolls/annual-toll\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Broads authority website\u0022\u003EBroads Authority.\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Norfolk Broads and Rivers"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIt should not be assumed that because a waterway does not come under any of the above authorities then no permission is required. Only local sources and enquiries will enable you to ascertain if permission can be granted, whether a licence is required and if any charge is made.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EEnquiries should be made through the County or District Programme Team of the area you wish to visit.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"All Other Waters"}]}]},{"items":[{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk/media/16569/fs120157-boat-log-jan-2022.xlsx\u0022\u003EExample boat log\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/boat-checking/\u0022 title=\u0022Boat Checking\u0022\u003EBoat Checking\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/class-c-waters/\u0022 title=\u0022Class C Waters\u0022\u003EClass C waters\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/water-safety-buoyancy-aids-and-lifejackets/\u0022 title=\u0022Water safety (buoyancy aids and lifejackets)\u0022\u003EWater Safety (incorporating buoyancy aids and life jackets)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/water-safety-waterborne-diseases-and-immersion/\u0022 title=\u0022Water safety (waterborne diseases and immersion)\u0022\u003EWater Safety (Waterborne diseases and immersion)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Additional information","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Read our guidance on canal and river licences.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"14 July 2023","reviewDate":"16/12/2020","redirectUrl":"","id":45538,"nodeName":"Canal and River Licences","title":"Canal and River Licences","type":"contentPage","image":{"url":"/media/12609/scouts-and-explorers-rowing-with-steve-backshall-jpg.jpg?cc=0,0.08655846858094049,0,0.07074490220557636\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dae7eb33b03e10","caption":"Scouts and Explorers rowing with Steve Backshall","type":"jpg","size":3241119,"width":4000,"height":2670,"altText":"A group of young people in red life jackets and white helmets row in a boat with Steve Backshall."},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Canal and River Licences","headerSubTitle":"","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"ffe627","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"subHeader":"Read our guidance on canal and river licences.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NTUzOCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/canal-and-river-licences/"}