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Boat Removal Protocol

The Middle Level Commissioners are responsible for the regulation on the Middle Level navigable waterways as outlined in Schedule One of the Middle Level Act (2018). This includes within marinas connected to our navigable waterways.

Regulation and enforcement are a necessary part of our role as a navigation authority and this includes for the power to remove vessels from our waterways which are unregistered, sunk, stranded, abandoned or left/moored without lawful authority.

We see removal as a last resort when dealing with unregistered vessels. Whenever possible we will work with the owners of vessels to bring them into compliance, ensuring they meet the requirements for registration which, to help ensure the safety of all who use the waterways, includes boat safety certification and insurance.

Registration income is essential for the maintenance and improvements of the navigation services we provide on our waterways. Not paying a licence fee or defaulting on payments directly affects the service we are able to provide, impacting fellow vessel owners.

The cost of removing vessels is considerable and in our experience so far rarely recoverable from absent and/or unknown owners. This is a financial burden within our navigation account that reduces our ability to deliver other navigation services and improvements.

The first version of our boat removal protocol was published on 16th October 2020 and the second version is an update based on experience and learning.

The updated protocol is available here. We would value any comments and feedback on the updated protocol before we finalise it. Please provide feedback within an email titled ‘MLC Boat removal protocol version 2; Feedback’ to admin@middlelevel.gov.uk by 24th May 2024.

2023/24 Broke Records for Pumping at St Germans

St Germans is the largest land drainage pumping station in the UK, working in combination with over 70 smaller stations, hundreds of km of drains and raised embankments, to keep our Fens relatively dry and protect local communities and the economy from flooding. We are hoping for a drier 2024/25 but need to plan for this being the new normal.

Our system operates in conjunction with over 20 smaller Internal Drainage Boards. We are each small, locally funded public authorities, governed by volunteers who also operate the majority of the smaller IDB pumps.

New water point installed at MLC Office mooring in March

We are delighted to let our boaters know that we have now installed a water point at our office mooring.

Whilst our mooring remains a private mooring the section closest to our neighbour Fox Narrowboats is now available primarily for visitors to our office to use. This is where the water point is located.

If you wish to use the visitor space on our mooring, please pre-agree this by ringing Kevin Russell our Navigation Officer on 07725 134170 during working hours Monday – Friday. If Kevin is unavailable, please ring the office on 01354 653232.

A 30min water stop if there is space is fine. Please give us a call and we’ll meet you at the gate to say hello.

Our operational requirements take priority so we may need to temporarily close the space. Any use of the visitor space without being pre-agreed will be considered as unauthorised.