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The National Association of Boat Owners (NABO) was formed in 1991 and is dedicated to promoting the interests of private boaters on Britain's canals, rivers and lakes, so that their voice can be heard when decisions are being made which might affect their boating. NABO will always challenge injustice where necessary at the highest level.

• ABOUT NABO: NABO's prime aim is making things better for boaters. Learn more about NABO and it's aims and achievements, the benefits of becoming a member of NABO, or to contact council members or to join.
• CURRENT ISSUES: Keep in the know with NABO - NABO takes a very active interest in current issues concerning the inland waterways and their influence on boaters activities.
• WATERWAYS REPORTS:. Boaters discovering a problem on the waterway system can report them here in the public waterways reporting forum.
• BOATERS REFERENCE: Providing a source of relevant information for boaters through 'Members Bulletins' and special publications.
• MEMBER'S ZONE. This password protected area provides members with a variety of information that members have requested including electronic versions of NABO NEWS and other NABO publications, supplements, etc.
• JOIN NABO: If you are not already a member of NABO have a look at how easy and cheap it is to join NABO and add your voice to our cause.

FROM THE CHAIRMAN:

BW DIRECTORS' ROAD-SHOWS:

The 2009 programme of road-shows runs from 24th May to 6th September with shows being organised around the system. Details are available in NABO News 3 of 2009.
The Chairman urges members to make every effort to attend as there is a lot going on at the moment and what members contribute at these meetings is important.

CHAIRMAN ATTENDS BWAF

The Chairman attended the BWAF meeting of 15 June 2009 at which topics included the BW 20/20 plans,. the BW reorganisation, asset management, dredging and te condition of the canals. The Chairman's Report is in the members area.

THE NABO SURVEY OF BOATING COSTS:

The NABO Survey of Boating Costs is now closed. John Slee is working on it and we will publish the results when they become available.

NABO RESPONDS TO CONSULTATION ON DRINK BOATING
From time to time NABO are consulted on issues of legislation. This is a privilege and we try and give it attention and thought.
One such request just received is the consultation on draft regulations which cover “drink driving” by non professional boaters. These are to come into place anyway, and the consultation is specifically about whether boats less than 7 meters and designed for not more than 7 knots should be exempt.
Full details on this link: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/exceptionfromalcohol/
The issue was covered in March on Radio 2 at lunchtime by Jeremy Vine. There was some amusing discussion with a few solid boaters giving good commentary and few laymen talking nonsense. There has also been comment in Waterways World. Historians may remember that we have been here before, in 2004, when there were similar issues and discussion.
NABO has consulted with members and undertaken a simple straw pole. The comments have formed the basis of the submission to the Department of Transport which is available in the members area.

BW CONSULTATION ON MOORINGS AND NAVIGATION ISSUES
NABO have now made a submission to BW on pre-consultation and will be meeting with BW and other user groups on 8th June to review the next draft. NABO Initial reaction.

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