Broads Authority Proposes Stricter Measures Against Neglected Vessels

Boat owners who neglect their vessels may face more stringent actions following a substantial increase in wrecked boats on waterways over the past four years. The Broads Authority has put forward new regulations to facilitate the removal of “unserviceable vessels” from the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads. Previously, boats with a legal owner were not classified as abandoned, even if they were in a dangerous state of disrepair. The Broads Authority indicated that this situation was costing it thousands of pounds and stated that, if the new rules are approved, vessels could be removed if owners fail to make them shipshape within 28 days. These proposals, which are scheduled for approval at a Broads Authority meeting on 29 November, come after a rise in the number of wrecks cleared, increasing from four in 2020 to 28 this year. A report presented to its navigation committee noted that while the Broads Authority already possesses powers to remove unsafe vessels, these were limited and did not fully address issues with non-compliant vessels. The report also suggested that an increase in people residing in houseboats following the Covid pandemic is believed to have contributed to the problem. At a recent navigation committee meeting, Rob Rogers, director of operations at the Broads Authority, stated: “This is a growing problem. We have had to build a special compound to break vessels up to make them small enough to dispose of. It is an expensive operation, which costs on average £4,000 per vessel. These changes will help us remove unserviceable vessels from the network.” According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, vessels lacking a mast, boats with holes or decaying hulls, and even craft ridden with mould could be removed and disposed of if owners do not rectify their vessels within the specified notice period. The authority, which is responsible for managing the Broads waterways, expressed its hope that these measures would lead to a reduction in the number of neglected boats, thereby cutting costs and enhancing the safety of the waterways.