Relief is rippling through the Clyde boating community after Peel Ports Clydeport confirmed it will not move forward — for now — with plans to introduce a new conservancy fee for leisure vessels. The proposal, first floated last year, sparked anger, anxiety and fierce opposition from small boat owners who feared it would make sailing on the Clyde unaffordable and drive people away from the water.
“I’m a bit sceptical to be honest, I think they are just biding their time,” says Ian Clark, a small boat owner from the Clyde area. He’s reacting to the news that – a year on from its initial announcement – Peel Ports Clydeport has announced it will not be going ahead with its ‘conservancy fee’ proposal.
The fee idea caused anger and upset with boat owners last December.
The plan was that a ‘leisure vehicle conservancy fee’ for boats between 6m (20ft) and 24m (79ft) in length would be levied to help cover the cost of managing leisure activity and dealing with accidents. Conservancy fees are sometimes charged to cover the cost of services and upkeep – but mainly in the case of larger commercial vessels.
Fee proposal sparked anger among Clyde boaters
Local small boat owners (and politicans) reacted strongly against the proposal, claiming a fee would be detrimental to boating, fishing and tourism.
According to local media the consultation document suggested levying a £100 + VAT annual fee for boats regularly sailing in the Clydeport area, a £75 fee for summer-only use and a daily charge for visiting craft.
Clark told BBC Scotland News, his anger is less about the money but more the principle. When club fees and insurance are taken into account the extra fee could make boating unaffordable.
“They are just trying to make money out of a natural resource,” he says.
The statutory harbour authority for the Clyde says that the idea ‘will not be taken forward at this time’.
Questions over enforcement and collection
Colin MacDonald, captain of the Gourock-based Clyde Etchells boat fleet, which has 20 moorings at the Royal Gourock Yacht Club, believes that one of the problems with the port’s plan was that it had no way of collecting the money – especially if marinas in the area weren’t willing to participate. The charging zone would have stretched from Albert Bridge in Glasgow as far as the island of Arran, and include sea lochs such as Loch Fyne and Gare Loch.
He told local media: “If Peel Ports had introduced these charges it would have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. This was going to have an impact on everyone, including people with rowing boats. On top of insurance and moorings it would just be unaffordable for people who sail on the Clyde. One of the big problems was they had no way of figuring out how to actually collect the money.”
Clydeport: plans paused but review continues
In an update shared with river users, Alex McIntosh, head of marine at Clydeport, confirmed the fees plan was not going ahead – for now.
“Currently, Clydeport does not intend to progress consultation with the wider community regarding conservancy fees for individual vessel owners, as the introduction of such fees will not be taken forward at this time.
“A comprehensive review is still under way to assess how the waterways are being used and by whom, to ensure Clydeport can manage them effectively and efficiently for the benefit of all port users.
“Positive engagement with industry bodies has taken place throughout the year, and this collaborative approach will continue.”
Political pressure and sector-wide concerns
MSP Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde), says there was widespread concern that a conservancy fee would discourage people from visiting, and sailing on, the Clyde.
McMillan chairs a cross-party group on recreational boating and marine tourism at the Scottish Parliament.
“This is great news for leisure boaters up and down the Clyde, but also to those who sail to the area from other parts of the UK and beyond.
“I’m therefore pleased that Clydeport engaged with the CPG and its members to listen to the concerns of boaters.
“Following this dialogue, Clydeport have confirmed they are not pursuing conservancy fees at this time.
“I’m hopeful that this opens the door for greater dialogue with the sector, as I am conscious Clydeport haven’t ruled out considering such fees in the future.”
Clark, a member of the Port Glasgow Boating Club who has a 21ft (6.4m) boat, says he remains fearful the plan might be revived.
For many other boaters as well, the decision feels like a stay of execution rather than a full reprieve. While the fee has been shelved, Clydeport has not ruled out revisiting the idea in the future, leaving some wary that the issue may resurface once attention fades.
The post Clyde boaters breathe easy as controversial fee dropped — for now appeared first on Marine Industry News.
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