In a blend of demonstration and festivity, boaters from various corners of the UK have assembled in London to voice their opposition to what they perceive as unjust price escalations that pose

a threat to their lifestyle.

The Canal and Rivers Trust (CRT) has announced intentions to elevate the expenses linked with residing on watercraft. Proposed increments in boat licenses alongside the imposition of an additional fee on continuous cruisers have ignited the ire of the boating community.

Continuous cruisers, individuals who dwell on boats without a fixed mooring, find themselves particularly affected by the forthcoming changes.

Set to be enforced from April 1st, the new regulations have prompted members of the National Bargee Travelers Association (NBTA) to gather in Little Venice, west London, not only to showcase their solidarity but also to voice their dissent against the CRT's policies.

While the trust argues the necessity for funding to maintain the vitality of waterways, Marcus Trower, NBTA secretary and a continuous cruiser himself, expresses apprehension over the substantial rise in fees. He highlights that the proposed surcharge could inflate license costs by 25% within a span of four years, causing considerable financial strain for boat dwellers like himself.

"We believe it is the trust's aim to reduce the number of boats without home moorings. We are being singled out and they don't want us to exist," Trower asserts, pointing to what he perceives as discriminatory treatment.

The protest, billed as an Easter regatta, unfolded at the canal-side exit of Paddington Station, drawing participants both on foot and on watercraft. Banners adorned boats while handmade placards were brandished by those on foot, as the gathering served as a platform for speeches, performances, and expressions of dissent against the CRT's policies.

Pamela Smith, chairwoman of the NBTA, denounces the CRT's fee hikes as "discriminatory, unpopular, financially illiterate and quite possibly unlawful," reflecting the deep-seated discontent within the boating community towards what they perceive as unjust policies. Photo by Tim Green from Bradford, Wikimedia commons.