Licences - Annual - Avon Navigation Trust

Annual Licences

The Annual licence covers the River Avon from Alveston Weir to the confluence with the Severn at Tewkesbury. There are two licence start periods available, January and July for a period of 12 months.

ALL CRAFT moored on, or using for any purpose whatsoever, or for whatever period, any part of the waters of the Avon, including that part upstream of it’s confluence with the Severn, all marinas, basins and backwaters, must display a current Avon Navigation Trust Licence.

Boat Licences are not transferable from one craft to another. No refunds are given for boats sold, the annual licence remains with the craft.

All craft MUST have a permanent mooring, continuous cruising is not permitted throughout the year without a ‘home’ mooring. Boaters visiting from other navigations are most welcome to navigate using a short term licence. The short term licence cannot be used for extended stays of more than 30 days.

Please remember that your licence fee goes to help pay for the upkeep of the river and the locks and ensure that boating on the Avon safe and enjoyable.

The Gateway Magazine provides more information about the engineering works and projects ANT have recently undertaken.

Insurance, documentation and payment

All craft (powered and unpowered) must be insured and safe. ANT recommends at least £3m third party insurance cover including salvage cover. You will need to provide evidence of your current insurance cover and your current Boat Safety Scheme pass certificate (see below) together with payment. Applications for craft afloat without a current Boat Safety Scheme certificate (BSSC) are charged at FULL FEE including during the discounted prompt payment period. The prompt discount will be refunded to you if the BSSC is provided within 2 months following application or launch. Website applications can only be processed if all documentation is available, otherwise a postal application will be required. Payment can be by debit or credit card, PayPal, bank transfer or cheque.

Boat Safety Scheme Certificate

All boats afloat on the Avon Navigation are required to have a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate (BSS) or a Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) for brand new boats (unless exempt from testing) This is like a boat MOT – your insurance and river licence will be invalid if you do not have a current BSS. Evidence of your current certificate must be provided. We can accept certificate number and expiry date as evidence.

Only boats without a closed cabin, fixed fuel or gas cooking facilities such as a canoe or very basic open motor boats are exempt.

More information is available at www.boatsafetyscheme.org or contact the ANT office on 01386 552517 or licensing 0300 111 2010

How much will my boat licence cost?

The price of an annual licence will depend on the length of your boat and if it is powered or un-powered. The online licence system below will automatically work this out for you. If you would like to see the grid of prices, to check what it will cost, this can be found on the appropriate Licence Information leaflets on the Documents Page

How / Where to get your Licence

Option 1 – (PREFERRED OPTION) Use the online system below to purchase your licence This option can be used for all private annual licences including residential. There are two annual licence periods available, January to December and July to June. The summer start period is for boats joining or launching in the summer months. All annual licences will expire either 31st December or 30th June. If you plan to launch one or two months before the annual start date you may purchase a short term licence to cover the period leading up to the annual start.

Option 2 – A PDF version of the application form is available to download on the Documents Page, along with the information leaflet needed to fill it in. This can then be returned by email or post. Payment can be made over the phone by card, or by BACS. There is space on the form to fill in your insurance and BSS certificate numbers and expiry dates.

We have a dedicated telephone number for licensing enquiries 0300 111 2010

The offices at Wyre Piddle are closed to visitors, therefore we cannot process cash payments.