The Association of Pleasure Craft Operators

The APCO Guide to Inland Waterway Boating Holidays

APCO Links page

The below are a series of useful links to other websites
APCO is not responsible for their content.

ACE - The Association of Canal Enterprise ACE was founded in 1982 by a small group of newly-formed businesses in the Bath area seeking to develop services on the Kennet & Avon Canal.
Inland Waterways Map 2006 The Association of Inland Navigation Authorities: UK Waterways Map 2006 large scale pdf
Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs  
The Green Blue  
The Waterways Code  

The Boaters Handbook

A pdf version of a 48 page book full of practical advice for safe boating available to download. Essential reading for both novices and experienced boaters.

The Boat Safety Scheme The Boat Safety Scheme Home Page full of useful information about the boat “mot”.
British Marine Federation The British Marine Federation (BMF) is the trade association for the UK's boating industry. APCO is a member part of BMF, representing the inland waterways. Its primary role is to promote and protect the industry but is the source of much useful information and links.
Broads Authority The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads is a unique area of water, grazing marshes, fen and woodland, and home to some of the rarest plants and creatures in the UK. It is Britain's largest protected wetland, having similar status to a national park
Canal and Riverboat The website of Canal and Riverboat magazine.
Canal Boat Magazine The online version of the monthly magazine.
Canal Junction A large commercial site with lots of general information on the waterways
Environment Agency The navigation authority for the Thames and Nene. Also news, information, research and data about the environment of England and Wales, and links to flood warnings.
http://riverconditions.visitthames.co.uk/ In addition to the Floodline telephone number, you can now also get Thames river conditions.
Inland Waterways Association The main waterways charity, a good site with links to dozens of other charity websites. The IWA gives its support to canal societies throughout the country, co-operating and advising on projects which are restoring hundreds of miles of waterways
Port of London Authority The PLA has statutory responsibility for the conservation safe navigation of 150 km (95 miles) of the tidal River Thames from Teddington to the sea
Ramblers' Association The Ramblers' Association is an environmental organisation campaigning to encourage walking, open up public footpaths, protect the countryside and secure the freedom to roam on mountains, moors, heaths, downs and common land in England and Wales.
Royal Yachting Association Large site with useful sections on practical training courses including the Inland Helmsman Certificate.
The Boat Safety Scheme The “mot” certificate for inland waterway boats. All the latest information and guidance on keeping your boat safe and certified, available online 24 hours a day.
The Waterways Trust Major waterways charity, which runs several canal museums
The Considerate Boater Dedicated to considerate boating on UK inland waterways.

The Virtual Waterways Archive

The Waterways Archive collects, preserves and makes publicly available rich and diverse records in many forms, including plans, drawings, accounts, photographs and audio-visual recordings. At its core are the archives of British Waterways and the early canal companies, which trace the history of Britain‘s inland waterways back to its very roots.
Visit Britain The official travel guide to Britain. The four national tourist board links are below, from which regional and local information can be found
Enjoy England  
Visit Scotland  
Visit Wales  
Discover Northern Ireland  
Waterscape A large commercial waterways website, owned by BW, with some useful local information
Maritime and Coastguard Agency The Maritime and Coast Guard Agency is the main government body for water
safety.
Multi Map A site allowing you to print out local maps, very useful for finding your boat yard. And you can use their directions section to plan a car journey within the UK.

Babel Fish Translator

Use this link to reach an online text translator. This may help if English is not your first language.
National Rail Enquires Route Planner If you want to reach your hire base by train, this site allows you to check timetables and prices.
The Southampton Boat Show One of the two big international boat shows held in England each year, in September.
The London Boat Show One of the two big international boat shows held in England each year. In January at EXCEL in London Docklands.
Design your own Concept Boat  
Boating Stoppages on UK Canals and Rivers A useful site for route planning on your holiday
Canal Boat-builders Association - CBA The Trade body for narrowboat builders.
http://www.warwick-holidaycottage.co.uk/ Self Catering Holiday Cottage in Warwick "Lammas View"
 

Boating Holidays
What to expect on a UK boating holiday, different types of holiday and much more.
About APCO
Explaining the purpose and background of the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators.
APCO Members
Listing all APCO member, with their full contact details.
Handover Scheme
When hiring a boat you need to be sure you will be given suitable tuition.
Boat Grading Scheme
Explaining the Boat Grading Scheme from VisitBritain for Hire Boats and Hotelboats.
Boaters Code
British Waterways guide to how all canal users should behave. PDF download.
Boaters Handbook
The BW handbook, available here as a PDF to download, covers everything from Boat Handling, Safety and Rules of the Road.
Kid's pages
Things for the children to do, including a waterways game courtesy of British Waterways.
Joining APCO
Benefits and membership information for companies considering joining APCO.
Members Section
Information for APCO members, password needed to enter.
 
Association of Pleasure Craft Operators (APCO), Marine House, Thorpe Lea Road, Egham, Surrey, TW20 8BF
Tel:  0844 8009575 Email info@apco.org.uk