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 It occurred to me the other day what a crazy situation we are in with regards to moorings in the UK, especially residential ones. The whole country is surrounded by water and we have a large canal network but can you find a residential mooring? Well, they can be found but it is getting harder and harder with more people now opting for a liveaboard life competition for residential moorings is high.
Many local councils still do not welcome residential boaters into there communities and have strict guidelines on residential moorings. Until local councils and other waterways authorities relax the rules and realize the advantages of residential boaters, finding moorings is going to be difficult.
Why is it the authorities and the establishment do not warm to residential boaters? I think they do not understand some of the reasons why we choose our lifestyle and fight us with burocusey to make us conform to what is expected of us. What is expected of us is to conform to how they think we should live our lives, and that is to follow others like little sheep. Well I like to think that we should all have choices about living our lives and where and how we will them without the establishment continually trying to make us conform.
Having the freedom to chose where and how you live is one of the things I think is so special about living on a boat but I guess the powers that be do not like those that do not conform.
Liveaboard boaters are just as important to local communities as anyone else, we pay the same taxes and come from all walks of live. The sooner this is recognized by authorities the better, we don't all want to conform and those that don't make the world a more interesting place.
Considering we are part of europe we do not follow similar strategies to them when it comes to residential boats.
Liveaboard boaters are common place in many european countries and governments see them as part of communities get like anyone else. Projects to establish houseboat communities are being developed to encourage people to enjoy there living space and surrounding with support from there government.
Maybe we need to take note and inform our authorities that the Rivers, Canals and coastal waters around the UK are meant to be used and not just looked at as a piece of scenery. Being more liveaboard friendly and providing more suitable moorings would be a real step in the right direction.
Have you experienced any difficulties with local authorities as a liveaboard boater? Feel free to comment as I would like to hear your views.
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