Before coming on to the canal
In order to bring your boat on to the Scottish Canals network you will need to make sure that we have a suitable mooring for you and that your vessel is in good shape both mechanically and aesthetically.
If you are buying a boat which is already on the canal, you are not able to purchase the mooring with the boat. Moorings are allocated via our waiting lists and if no moorings are available, you can join our waiting lists. We will then let you know when a suitable mooring becomes available.
Mooring allocation
You have 14 days to accept a mooring offer. We will then send you an application form to be completed, signed and returned to the local moorings team member. Boats must have adequate insurance and a safety certificate and we will ask for the following documents;
Boat Safety Certificate
We have an obligation to ensure that all boats are safe to travel on the canals. The Boat Safety Scheme, or BSS, is a public safety initiative owned by Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency. Its purpose is to help minimise the risk of boat fires, explosions or pollution harming visitors, staff or any user of the inland waterways.
It is mandatory that all craft on the Scottish Canals have either a current BSS Certificate, an MCA certificate or a signed declaration whilst on the network. We are also able to accept a Declaration of Conformity for craft that are less than 4 years old.
In order to ensure that your boat is safe we ask that a BSS Certificate is carried out and the paperwork is sent to us prior to your entry to the canal. Details of the BSS Certificate and examiners can be found on the Boat Safety Scheme Website (BSS | Boat Safety Scheme | Go Boating - Stay Safe). Unless you make any changes to your boat that would affect the certification it is only required every 4 years.
Please note that your insurance can be null and void if your BSS Certificate has expired.
Please refer to the diagram below to see if your boat requires a BSS Certificate.
Insurance
It is a requirement of our terms and conditions that you must have current insurance cover prior entering the canal. We require a copy of your Policy Schedule that shows the expiry date. This is normally an annual policy and has to cover public liability for at least £2 Million and include recovery in the case of submersion. A copy of the annual renewal has to be sent into the mooring team to be verified and certified compliant.
Invasive species Declaration
Scottish Canals are a great location for spotting wildlife and are home to some interesting species of birds, fish and mammals. In order for us to preserve this natural environment we require all of vessels to be hot pressure washed to ensure that the hull of their vessels are suitably clear of all species, mussels etc.
This needs to be carried out in line with our Interim Guidance for Biosecurity for Submerged Structures. We will require confirmation from the contractor or boat yard that this has been carried out in line with this guidance before entry to the canal and we will require you to provide a signed declaration to be returned with your application.
Recent photographs of boat
To ensure that all moorings remain a pleasure to visit Scottish Canals require that all boats compliment the local environment, are safe and of good quality and kept in excellent order. This includes the overall aesthetics of any varnish and outside paintwork and external fittings and fixtures. Recent photographs will have to be submitted with your application form, which will be vetted to ensure that the Boat Standards are met before the offer of the mooring is confirmed.
Mooring fees
Fees differ from location to location, the type of berth you are considering, whether it be residential, leisure or commercial and the type of boat you are buying. Your local moorings team will be able to give you an accurate breakdown of the fees for your berth and location.
Navigation Licence fees
Your Navigation Licence is charged as an annual fee. This allows you to navigate any of the Scottish Canals network for the term of your mooring. This will be sent to you in the form of a paper disc that you need to display on both sides of your boat. This will stipulate the name of your boat, size of your boat, your mooring location and expiry date of the licence.
When your licence is renewed, a new disc will be automatically sent to you. Regular boat checks will be undertaken throughout the year so please ensure your licence is prominently displayed on both sides of your boat so that it can be easily seen. If you do not receive your discs within 6 weeks of arriving on to the canal, please get in touch.