BW must review Continuous Cruising Guidelines following K&A court case

Live-aboard boaters’ homes at risk following court judgement

by Nick Brown
National Bargee Travellers Association Legal Officer

The judgement in British Waterways v Paul Davies handed down on 31st March 2011 in Bristol County Court could have serious consequences for all continuously cruising live-aboard boaters. However, the outcome also means that British Waterways (BW) is to redraft the Mooring Guidance for Continuous Cruisers. In particular BW is likely to drop the requirement to make a progressive journey and to travel around a significant part of the canal network.

The judgement was sealed in the County Court and therefore only refers to Mr Davies. It does not create a formal legal precedent, but it is clear that BW will try to rely on it in future cases.

The judgement ruled that Mr Davies, who works, socialises and navigates in the 10 mile stretch between Bathand Bradford on Avon, was not using his boat bona fide for navigation. This aspect of the judgement did not consider the right to respect for his home, family and private life conferred by Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. As a consequence of this judgement, many live-aboard boaters may be rendered homeless by BW.

The judgement on the meaning of “bona fide for navigation” appears to suggest that a live-aboard boater without a home mooring must genuinely intend to navigate the canal system and not move simply to comply with the law.

Nick Brown, the Legal Officer of the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA), said “This really does pave the way for social cleansing. The judgement defined ‘bona fide for navigation’ as the intention to navigate in good faith. According to this logic, if you drove at 30 miles per hour in a 30 MPH zone you would be prosecuted for speeding if you were simply observing the speed limit in order to comply with the law, rather than because you believed that 30 MPH was the appropriate speed to drive at. This would make BW the ‘Thought Police’ “.

On the positive side, any live-aboards subjected to Section 8 action by BW must be given the opportunity to defend themselves in court.

What BW is glossing over is that although the court found that Mr Davies was not using his boat bona fide for navigation, the judgement envisaged a use of the boat that falls short of the Mooring Guidance for Continuous Cruisers but would still comply with the legislation. In consequence, BW has now accepted that it does not have the power to enforce the continuous cruising guidelines in their present form.

The NBTA is taking legal advice.

More on this story: Court finds in favour of BW in K&A Continuous Cruising case

FACT FILE

The National Bargee Travellers Association was established in 2009 and represents and advises Bargee Travellers (itinerants who live on boats) in particular in relation to their housing needs and in defence of their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. 

It is a networking organisation that helps vulnerable boat dwelling communities protect themselves.

The NBTA also liaises with the settled community and works with public sector bodies such as British Waterways and the Environment Agency in formulating policy and legislation.

For more information about the NBTA contact:

WWW                 www.bargee-traveller.org.uk

E-mail:                press@bargee-traveller.org.uk

Tel:                      +44 (0) 7867 75 70 95

Fax:                     +44 (0) 870 288 9520