Frequently Asked Questions

Boat Registration / Navigation & Mooring / The Halingway (Towpath) /
Environmental Problems / Other /

Why should I register my boat?

It is a statutory requirement (i.e. the law) to register any boat within the Cam Conservancy Area from Bottisham Lock up to Bishop’s Mill Sluice in the City Centre. Boat licensing is common to most inland waterways in England & Wales. The revenue raised from licensing of boats on the River Cam is returned directly to funding management of the Conservancy Area. If you are the owner of a motorised vessel, you have the option of taking up a licence with the Environment Agency. This allows you to navigate on the River Cam as well as other recreational waterways in the Anglian Region.

How do I register my boat?

The registration year commences 1st April and ends 31st March. A registration application form is available from the Conservators’ office at Baits Bite Lock, telephone 01223 863785. Complete this registration form and submit this, together with your cheque payment (payable to ‘Conservators of the River Camâ€™), by post. Owners who have already registered their vessels with us in the previous year should receive a registration renewal notice automatically in February. We regret that neither online registration nor credit card payments can be accepted at this time.

I’ve bought a new boat. What steps do I need to take?

Boats with a cabin (or enclosed space) must have a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate (equivalent to a MOT certificate) or a manufacturerâ€™s certificate. If it does not have either of these, you will need to arrange a Boat Safety examination with an authorised BSS Examiner. The BSS office in Watford can provide you with a list of examiners and offers guidance on making your boat comply, telephone 01923 201278. In addition to the BSSC we require a Personal Certificate of Compliance to be completed when a motorised boat is registered with the Conservators. If your boat is unpowered you simply need to arrange the annual registration. Hire craft must have Public Liability Insurance and proof of this must be submitted to the Conservators when you register your boat. Every houseboat on the River Cam must be registered with the Conservators.

I’ve bought a boat onto the River Cam from another waterway. Do I need to arrange registration with the Conservators?

For unpowered vessels, you will have to pay the full annual registration, but if you bring your boat into the Conservancy Area after the 1st January you may be allowed a 50 % discount on the set registration fee. For motorised craft, an End of Season registration can be obtained for newly-built boats only after the 1st October.

Why should I put an identification number on my boat?

This is a statutory requirement (see ‘Why should I register my boat?â€™ above). When you first apply for registration, the Conservators will issue you with a unique identification number for your vessel (E.g. CC506), unless it has already been given a number by the Environment Agency or British Waterways. The identification number should be displayed on both sides of the hull and the text should be clearly visible from a distance of 15 metres (text height of around 8 cm or 3 inches). This can be in any colour or font type providing that it can be read clearly. If your boat is displaying its numbers, it gives us a much better chance of ensuring that it can be returned to you if it is stolen or if it breaks its moorings. It is an option, not an alternative, for you to mark the hull with your boat’s name as well. In the case of rowing craft, we recommend that the ARA-designated club codes should be used but you must provide us with these details when you register your boat(s) with us each year.

I havenâ€™t received my vessel registration renewal notice. What shall I do?

It is your responsibility to make sure that your boat is properly registered when the new licensing year commences on 1st April. If you do not receive a registration renewal form from us then you should contact the office at Baits Bite Lock and ask for a form to be sent to you.

I have received a ‘Bâ€™ notice on my vessel (i.e. unregistered vessel). What should I do?

Your vessel does not appear to have a current registration with the Conservators or with the Environment Agency. Contact the office at Baits Bite Lock immediately to discuss this with us, telephone 01223 863785.

I have received a ‘C’ notice on my vessel (i.e. unregistered vessel, final warning). What should I do?

This is your final warning before we commence Abandoned Vessel procedures to remove your vessel from the waterway. Please contact the office at Baits Bite Lock immediately, telephone 01223 863785. If the Conservators are unable to locate the owner of a boat that has been issued with a ‘C’ notice it may then be deemed to have been abandoned and an ‘A’ notice will be issued (Abandoned, useless or derelict vessel, Byelaw 11). The Conservators have powers to sell any boat that is not reclaimed by its owner if they have had to remove it from the navigation after issuing an A notice.

I have received a ‘G’ notice on my vessel (i.e. moored in a prohibited area). What should I do?

Please move your boat within 24 hours of receiving this notice.

I have received an ‘H’ notice on my vessel. Why, and what should I do?

It is an offence to moor your vessel along The Halingway towpath, i.e. anywhere along the left riverbank from the Penny Ferry Public House at Chesterton to Clayhithe Bridge, Horningsea. The only exception is approximately 100 metres of the riverbank identified as a 48 hour mooring immediately upstream of Clayhithe Bridge.

I want to hire-out my punt for business. What do I need to do?

Every hire punt on the river needs to be registered annually. Registration forms are available from Baits Bite office (telephone 01223 863785). In addition to this, every hire punt operator must have Public Liability insurance in place and a declaration of insurance cover must signed upon registration. Each hire punt must also display notices regarding loading limits; these are available from the River Bailiff (telephone 07710 005277). The maximum passenger limit for a self-hire punt of 1 metre beam is 6 persons. For hire-punts, loading must not exceed 5 passengers plus one competent punt operator/chauffeur. The maximum passenger limit for a wide-beam 'ferry' punt (greater than 1 metre beam, up to a maximum of 1.95 metres beam) is 12 persons plus one competent punt operator/chauffeur. For further information, refer to the Code of Practice for Commercial Punt Operators (pdf).

I have sold my boat. How do I notify the Conservators of the change of vessel ownership?

Please complete the ‘Change of Ownership form’ (download pdf) and return to the Conservators’ offices at Baits Bite Lock.

I have an inflatable boat (canoe, kayak or dinghy) and I want to use it on the River. Does it need to be registered?

Yes. All craft using the navigation between King’s Mill Weir and Bottisham Lock must be registered annually with the Conservators. The licensing year runs from 1st April to 31st March. Members of Canoe England can produce their membership cards in lieu of registration.

I want to hold a regatta or race on the river. Who should I contact?

All events on the navigation or along the towpath, e.g. regattas, raft races, duck races, processions, sponsored walks etc., must have the approval of the Conservators. Please contact the River Manager at Baits Bite Lock, telephone 01223 863785, e-mail river.manager@camconservators.org.uk. A licence fee may be charged. You must contact us at least 28 days in advance of your event so that we can obtain the consent of the Conservators and give notice to the public.

I want to navigate at night. What lights does my vessel require?

Power driven vessels under way (navigating) between the hours of sunset and sunrise must exhibit the following lights in accordance with the Conservators’ byelaws:

A bright white light on or before the foremast. If there is no foremast, then this should be mounted on the vessel’s funnel or on a staff at the bow. The light must be mounted not less than 1.2 metres above the hull
A green starboard side light; and,
A red port side light.

Height above the hull means height above the uppermost continuous deck. Each light shall be sufficiently bright to be visible on a dark night in clear atmospheric conditions at a distance of at least 1.5 kilometres.

Note, it is an offence for any power driven vessel to navigate at night without lights.

Double-moored vessels (i.e. vessels moored two abreast). The outside vessel adjacent to the navigation fairway must carry a riding light between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

Groups of double-moored vessels. Two riding lights are required; one to be carried by each respective vessel at the head and tail end of the moorings.

Manually-propelled and sail-craft must observe and obey the lighting rules prescribed in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) published by the International Maritime Organization. British Rowing requires that craft must be fitted with white lights showing fore and aft and visible through 360 degrees. Punts and canoes must carry a white lantern or electric torch which must be shown in sufficient time to prevent a collision.

When can I motor above Jesus Lock?

Motorised vessels are restricted from navigating upstream of Jesus Lock from 1st April to 31st October inclusive each year. This is to ensure safety for the large number of people using small craft such as punts on the ‘middle’ river (the Backs) during the summer months. Between 1st November and 31st March motorised vessels may navigate upstream above Jesus Lock. The gates are Jesus Lock are operated manually and a windlass is secured to the slacker. Please contact the River Bailiff if you require assistance or experience problems locking through. Headroom clearance along the Backs is restricted and the minimum headroom is 2.08 m or 6 feet 9 inches under Kitchen Bridge, St John’s College).

The guillotine gate at Baits Bite Lock is not working. Why?

The slackers on the downstream v-doors must be shut fully in order for the guillotine gate to work. This safety cut-out ensures that both sets of gates cannot be opened at the same time and prevents the river from being drained accidentally. Check that the ‘slackers shut’ light is illuminated. The guillotine gate also has a time delay when being raised. It will open for approximately 4 seconds and then the motor will cut out even if you continue pressing the gate raise button. The time delay light will be illuminated for approximately 3 minutes to allow the lock to fill at a safe and constant rate. When this light goes off, you may recommence the lifting procedure by pressing the gate raise button. Ensure that your vessel is secured and fend it off the lock walls and other vessels as there will be some turbulence when the gate is raised.

Why are there mooring restrictions?

Both Cambridge City Council and the Conservators place restrictions in certain areas. Look out for the no mooring signs along the river (see Registration ‘I have received a ‘G’ notice on my vessel’ above).

I want a Mooring Permit. How do I get one?

Cambridge City Council Active Communities Department issues Mooring Permits for the riverbanks from Stourbridge Common up to Jubilee Gardens. This Department is based at Hobson House on St Andrew’s Street, telephone 01223 457000. The number of permits is limited to 70 and there is a queue for applicants.

I am a riparian landowner. Can I moor my boat alongside the river bank?

In some areas the river is too narrow for boats to moor safely without obstructing the navigation. There are signs indicating areas where mooring is restricted. Where mooring is not restricted, you may moor your boat alongside your property. If you intend to make a cut, you must apply to the Conservators for a licence to undertake these works and you must seek the Consent of the Environment Agency. The cut would become a backwater of the navigation and the statutes and Byelaws would apply to it and any vessel moored there (i.e. it must be registered). If you intend to build a pier or landing stage, you must seek the permission of both the Conservators and the Environment Agency. For further information on Flood Defence Consent and works within 9 metres of any watercourse contact the Environment Agency, telephone 08708 506506 or e-mail enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

I need to fill my water tank. Where can I get water?

Cambridge City Council provides free water at Jesus Green pump-out station. You will need an Environment Agency navigation key to access the cabinet. These are available from the EA Licensing Department in Peterborough (telephone 01733 464909, enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk) or River Inspector at the Ely office (telephone 08708 506506). Each key costs £4.00. The City Council intends to install another water point between Midsummer and Stourbridge Commons in 2007.

I need to pump-out. Where can I do this?

Cambridge City Council operates a pump-out station at Jesus Green. You will need an Environment Agency navigation key to open the cabinet. If the unit fails to operate, please contact Cambridge City Council, Telephone 01223 457000 (out of hours 01223 457457).

I want to hire a punt to tour ‘the Backs’. Where can I go to do this?

There are six officially recognised punt stations along the middle river (‘College Backs’) between the head of navigation and Jesus Lock. These stations can be found at:

Granta Mill Pond (Granta Boat and Punt Company)
Mill Pond, Silver Street (Cambridge Chauffeur Punts)
Mill Pond, Granta Place (Scudamore’s Punting Company)
Trinity College staithe (operators licensed by Trinity College)
Quayside (Scudamore’s Punting Company)
La Mimosa, Jesus Green (operators licensed by Cambridge City Council)

For more information about chauffeured tours and self-hire punts, contact either the operators listed above or the Tourist Information Centre at Peas Hill.

There is a vehicle on the towpath. Should it be there?

Under our Byelaws, only authorised or emergency vehicles are allowed to drive along the towpath from Chesterton to Clayhithe Bridge. This is why there are bollards preventing vehicles from driving along the towpath. There are times when our staff or contractors require access for tree or bank maintenance. Certain tenants have access rights at Baits Bite Lock as well. If you suspect a vehicle is on the towpath without permission, please contact the Police. They are a danger to pedestrians and cyclists. Organisers of rowing regattas may access the towpath by vehicles for emergency reasons and the combination for the padlocks will be given to the organisers before the event.
Please contact the River Manager, Telephone: 01223 863785, Email: river.manager@camconservators.org.uk or River Foreman, Telephone: 01223 860484.

A tree has fallen onto the towpath. Who should I contact?

Please contact the River Foreman, telephone 01223 860484.

A hole has developed in the cyclepath. Who will repair it?

The cycleway surface is maintained by Cambridgeshire County Council, telephone 0845 045 5200.

There are a number of dead fish floating on the surface of the river. What has happened?

There may have been a pollution incident. Please contact the Environment Agency, telephone 08708 506506, telling them where you are and what you have seen.

There appears to be an oil slick on the surface of the river. Who should I contact?

Please contact the Environment Agency, telephone 08708 506506, telling them where you are and describe the extent of the oil spill to them.

The river level appears to be falling or below normal? What is happening?

An object may be trapped in one of the automatic sluice gates so that they can’t close properly. An alarm is triggered when the water falls below a certain level and the Environment Agency contacts the Conservators’ staff to investigate the cause of the alarm. We clear debris routinely from the safety booms which are designed to prevent larger objects from becoming trapped in the gates. There are certain times each winter when the Conservators reserve the right to suspend navigation and drain the river, especially along the Backs, so that maintenance inspections and operations can take place. These are advertised at least 14 days in advance in the Cambridge Evening News and in the Conservators’ noticeboards. If you want to arrange for the river to be lowered, please contact the River Manager:
Telephone: 01223 863785,
Email: river.manager@camconservators.org.uk

There’s a cow in the river. What should I do?

Contact the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Services (999 Fire) or Cambridge City Council.

There’s a wheelie bin in the river. Who should I contact to remove it?

Please contact the River Foreman, telephone 01223 860484.

I want to report an incident involving wildlife on the River. How can I do this?

Incidents can be reported using the address CamWildlife@gmail.com. Animals in immediate distress, with an obvious injury, should be reported to the RSPCA using their 24-hr hotline number 0300 1234 999 .

I have been involved in an incident – who should I report this to, and how?

Incidents on the river or towpath should be reported to the River Manager using this printable PDF.

There are large clumps of bright green weed on the river. What is this weed?

This is a plant called floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides).

Floating pennywort is an invasive species from North America. It was introduced as an ornamental pond plant but it has escaped into the wild. It is now established in many parts of the British Isles. The species was first recognised on the River Cam in 2007 but it may have been present in the main river or its tributaries before then.

Floating pennywort can spread very quickly, out-competing native plant species and choking watercourses and ditches. It prefers nutrient-rich, slow-flowing ditches, lakes, ponds and canals. It has the potential for compromising flood control and navigation. The Centre For Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) has published an information fact sheet on their web pages at :

http://www.ceh.ac.uk

The weed can be eradicated using a combination of mechanical and chemical methods. Please report any sightings to the River Manager so that action can be taken to remove it. There are other non-native invasive species (‘pond pests’) which have escaped into the wild, posing a threat to England’s natural environment. For further information on these species visit these web sites:

Environment Agency>>
The Wildlife Trusts>>

I’m concerned about flooding on the River Cam. How can I get more information?

Riverside residents and vessel owners are strongly advised to register with the Environment Agency’s free messaging service ‘Floodline Warnings Direct’. Information on flood status can be relayed to a given telephone number. More information on this service can be found by telephoning the Floodline number 0845 988 1188 or by viewing the EA’s website at:
https://fwd.environment-agency.gov.uk/app/olr/register.
Applicants will need to provide a Cambridge postcode in order to receive messages for the River Cam (Cambridge to Upware).

Where can I buy fishing bait and tackle?

F J & F J Farrington, 2-4 Ferry Lane , Chesterton, Cambridge , CB4 1NT. Telephone: 01223 461361?

I’m new to boating. Is there a basic guide to get me started?

The Boaters Handbook can be viewed here >>

I want to find out about water safety for children. Is there any information available about water safety?

The web version of the EA water safety DVD can be viewed here >>

I want to swim in the Cam? Is this permitted and where can I go to swim?

The Conservators prohibit swimming in the River Cam between the Cambridge and Bottisham Lock. It is a criminal offence to jump off any bridge or from the highway into the River or to cause a nuisance, obstruction, annoyance or risk of danger to other people using the River or to anyone’s property. Swimming in a lock pen or within 36 metres of any lock, sluice or weir is also prohibited. The ‘upper river’ (between King’s Mill Weir, Granta Place, and Byron’s Pool) has been designated as an ‘authorised bathing place’ by the Conservators. River swimmers may bathe in these reaches at their own risk. Swimmers are advised never to swim alone. Newnham Riverbank Club offers facilities to members for river swimming. Wild Swimming offers advice on safe practice at this weblink:
www.wildswimming.co.uk/safety.html

Do the Cam Conservators trade in other countries?

No. The Conservators of the River Cam are a single entity in England. Their office address is at Baits Bite Lock, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6AF, UK. The authority does not offer or promote tourist excursions or bookings. There is only one official website for the navigation authority: www.camconservators.co.uk Other websites using ‘camconservators’ in the domain name are not linked to the Cam Conservators in any way (e.g. domain names ‘camconservators.cn’, ‘camconservators.com.cn’, ‘camconservators.net.cn’, ‘camconservators.org.cn’ etc. are not supported by the Conservators of the River Cam).

Is there a canoe trail for the River Cam?

Yes. There is a canoe trail for the River Cam on the Go Canoeing! website which can be viewed at this link.