Register a boat on the River Great Ouse System, River Nene, River Stour, River Ancholme, Black Sluice, River Welland and River Glen.
If you keep or use any boat on our Anglian waterways, you need to buy a registration from us and display a registration plate.
Registrations run from 1 April to 31 March for boats kept on any part of our Anglian waterways including backwaters and marinas. This includes motor cruisers, sailing cruisers, narrowboats, houseboats and open boats such as canoes or rowing boats.
Boat registration requirements
To read about our boat registration requirements in more detail please download:
Private houseboats
We have updated the definition and requirements for private houseboats in response to our customers’ requests for clear guidance.
We have been working with user groups, Environment Agency colleagues and the Boat Safety Scheme over the last 18 months to agree a number of changes. The definition and requirements for our Anglian customers have been produced to be as consistent as possible with all other Environment Agency waterways; within the constraints of the different legislation still in place.
What do I need to do if I sell my boat?
If you sell your boat or change your address, you need to let us know in writing (and provide us with the details of the new owner if applicable). Download this form and send it to us:
Please note: If you do not tell us you have sold your boat, you remain the registered owner and will still be responsible for registering and paying any charges due.
Refunds
Refunds on boat registration fees are only made in certain cases.
Changes to River Cam boat registration
The Conservators of the River Cam and the Environment Agency have recently updated the Interchange Agreement regarding registration for powered boats:
- Powered boats based** on the River Cam above Bottisham Lock must now be registered with Conservators.
- Powered boats based** on Environment Agency waters downstream of Bottisham Lock will continue to register with the Environment Agency and now have the option to pay an additional ten per cent premium at the time of registration to give access to Conservancy waters.
- Commercial boats (including hire boat operators) will have no increase in their registration charges and will be able to use both navigations as they currently do.
**Under the new Agreement, we consider a vessel to be 'based' on Conservancy waters if it is moored/present in the Conservancy Area for a period or periods exceeding ninety days.
External links
You can find out more about Anglian waterways at these external websites:
Contact us
If you have any questions about these new requirements please contact us by phone on 03708 506 506 or by email at boatreg@environment-agency.gov.uk
