Improving the recreational boat ownership proposition to prevent a decline in the operating fleet

Median boat ownership age has increased from 45 to 55 in the last 10 years, meaning that young people are not buying boats, the youth prefer to charter. This trend will damage the income of infrastructure operators if the appeal of ownership is not improved.

1. Improving the recrea0onal boat owning proposi0on to prevent a decline in the opera0ng fleet. John Booker Commercial Director Dutch Barge Associa0on
3. Yet signs are emerging that the ownership of a boat is not as appealing to the younger generations as will be necessary to maintain and grow the recreational boating fleet. Whilst the older generation may have been happy to start with a small basic boat, be it powered or sail, in their youth, today’s youth want something powered and larger, offering better accommodation – a home from home.
4. As a result there is a marked decline in sail boat demand in the UK. There are roughly 6 million recreational boats in Europe, 2 million of which are in Scandinavia & the Baltic states.
5. n  Powered boats need less training to operate than sail n  and therefore appeal to a wider population n  36 Million Europeans regularly go boating n  Average age of boaters in last 10 years increased from 45 to 55 n  NO NEW BOATERS ENTERED THE POPULATION n  Owners are spending less time on their boats n  Chartering boats is gaining popularity especially among the younger population n  If continued this trend means a major decline in boat ownership will occur in favour of smaller charter-boat fleet n  Negative impact on marina operators and licence income for navigation owners will result
6. n  EBA against compulsory boat registration on cost grounds n  EBA policy based on anti-terrorist objective only but typical of laissez faire attitude prevalent since days of canal mania 250 years ago n  Bringing structure to boat ownership with national and supra-national standards would be a step forwards n  WHY? n  Chaos in EU leisure market for boats n  Licence evasion n  Unlicensed Residential use n  Unauthorised mooring especially in big cities n  Insufficient incentives to recycle end of life craft n  Weak structures to ensure emissions compliance
7. Chaos in the Inland Waterway boat market has parallels with the motor car. Mooring like parking has to be regulated. Parking meters came to London in 1958.
8. Once proof of ownership of any boat is available to the authorities, making sure that boats comply with safety regulations, mooring requirements and licensing becomes much easier, because they can serve notices on owners efficiently. If an Authority also operated a mandatory boat registry it would be possible to tie up the loose ends which allow chaos in the boat market.
9. Residen0al boats legally moored in London
10. 50% increase in London boats since 2012 400 new Unlicensed Boats in 2016
11. This unnamed boat for sale as CRT moves to seize.
12. People who live on boats in the centre of London who pay high marina/mooring charges need to be treated differently to people who casually moor without permission wherever they can.
13. Proposed Licence Fee: £1000 per metre waterline length 15m x1000= £15000 / 10 Progressive discount is applied to max 90% for compliance
14. RFID technology using scanners like this may become a common sight along 21 st century waterways.
15. Boat Registry Safety Insurance Licensing Emissions Competence
16. Associa0on of Inland Naviga0on Authori0es (AINA) Members
17. Working together on a na0onal programme and removing barriers has brought success. Par0cipants up 50% from 1 million in 2006 to 1.5 million in 2016.
18. Summary We need to a^ract younger owners by improving the boat buying experience. l  Na)onal Boat Registry to issue 0tle document l  Removes risk on purchase l  Penalises vendors who fail to pay fees l  We need to improve the boat ownership experience l  Na)onal Boat Licensing to issue one licence for all navigable waters l  Will remove unlicensed boats which spoil enjoyment for licensed owners l  Will improve revenue and reduce cost to naviga0on owners releasing more funds for maintenance