Mooring

Whether you’re a boat owner or are using someone else’s boat, there are some important things you need to understand about mooring.

It's important, before venturing out on to canals and rivers, to understand the different types of mooring allowed. So, first, let's be clear on definitions.

Home mooring, permanent mooring, long term mooring

These terms are interchangeable and refer to the place where the boat lives when it’s not being used for cruising. A boat must have a home mooring unless it’s used to navigate continuously.  There will be an agreement in place between the boat owner and the landowner or moorings operator for which a fee is normally payable. ‘Land’ in this context means both the ‘wet’ (i.e. beneath the boat) and the ‘dry’ (alongside the boat) parts of the mooring. So, if you want to moor along the waterway itself, you’ll need the Canal & River Trust's agreement as well as that of the adjacent landowner. Most agreements are for at least 12 months.

Within this category, you will see reference to particular types of long term mooring. 

Leisure mooring

A long-term mooring where the boat is used for leisure / recreational purposes. 

Residential mooring

A long-term mooring which has the local authority’s permission for it to be used as the occupant’s sole or primary residence. The residential mooring may or may not have facilities and services.

Trade mooring

Moorings assigned to specially licensed operators of commercial boats. They may be for short periods or long term, depending on the nature of the agreement. Their purpose is to provide a service to waterway visitors, adding life and value to the local waterway environment.

Short term mooring

This is any lawful mooring which is not designated as a long term site. The default maximum period that you can stay in the same place along the towpath is 14 days. Look out for signs that give more information, particularly at popular places. 

Check out our Q&As about rules for mooring along the towpath

Types of short term mooring that you will come across are:

Short term mooring permits

Marina and moorings operators may offer short term agreements, usually by the month for people wanting the security of a mooring for just a few weeks at a time.  Winter mooring permits are popular with continuous cruisers who may prefer not to move so much during bad weather, or may be prevented from moving because of waterway repair works. 

Visitor mooring

A length of bank that has been designated for (usually) periods of less than 14 days. They tend to be at popular locations and time limits are designed to enable as many different boaters as possible to enjoy the use of the mooring during a cruise.  Please respect the time limits and any other rules displayed or communicated to you when boating. 

Service mooring

Locations adjacent to water, sewage and refuse disposal points. These are for use only while you are using the facilities and time limits are signed.  

You may also see temporary or permanent British Waterways or Canal & River Trust signs restricting use of a location for a specific purpose, such as a trip boat stop.  

Casual mooring

This means mooring up along the towpath during the course of a journey. It may be at a visitor mooring (subject to time limits displayed at the site) or anywhere else along the towpath which is unsigned and where the maximum stay time is 14 days.