Living on a boat is vastly different to living in a house and, as every boat is different, will require a certain amount of adapation when learning to live aboard. Your relationship with both your boat neighbours and those living in houses near to the canal will be unique, here’s a few tips to help you become a good boat neighbour.
Keep the towpath Clear
Boats are small spaces and that means storage is limited. There may be a temptation to use the towpath for storage once you have moored up. We’ve even seen motorcyles parked right next to boats on some towpaths. Pedestrains have priority on towpaths (except when boats are mooring up), so you should ensure that if you put something on the towpath, it does not obstruct and a wheelchair should be able to pass at all times. You can read more about the towpath code here
The 8 til 8 rule
You’ll undoubtedly need to run your engine or generator to charge your batteries, certainly during the winter months. The general rule is that you shouldn’t run your engine or generator after 8pm or before 8am. There is an arguement that this only applies to built up areas, but sound can travel. Even if you’ve moored in the middle of the countryside, you risk the chance of disturbing your other boat neighbours. However, there are times, when you may need to run an engine due to an emergency. If this happens it is good practice to give your neighbours a knock and explain why and for how long you’ll need to run it. Good communication in the key on these cases.
Leave it how you found it….
…and if how you found it isn’t acceptable, improve it. The LCBA works to help maintain the beauty on the Lancaster Canal and therefore it is unacceptable for any boater to leave behind rubbish on the towpath. When you leave a mooring you should leave it as you found it, taking all your rubbish away and, if you can, have a tidy around and remove any other rubbish that may have been left by others. We know that it may not be your responsibility to tidy up after others, but we can all work together to kept the canal tidy, while also, politely educating others on why leaving a mess behind is unacceptable.