Guidance: Medway Navigation: boat registration and other charges

The Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order 2010.

Southern Water Authority Act 1982 (sections 35, 42 and 46).

The National navigation boat charging scheme 2025 sets out the charges for all boats, kept or used on the Medway Navigation from 1 April 2025. It is made under the powers of the Environment Agency to fix charges in sections 35, 42 and 46 of Southern Water Authority Act 1982 and under article 23 of The Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order 2010.

All charges under the Scheme shall increase from 1 April 2026 for the Medway navigation and annually on those dates thereafter by a sum not exceeding any increase in the Consumer Price Index published by the Office for National Statistics on 30 September in the immediately preceding year.

This requirement extends to every part of the Medway Navigation between Allington Lock and the Leigh Barrier at Tonbridge, including backwaters and marinas.

All boats have to register and pay the appropriate charge unless they are exempt from charge (go to section 10).

Annual charges are due on 1 April of each year, and they expire on 31 March each year.

If a powered or unpowered enclosed boat is registered for the first time part way through a registration year, then a pro rata (reduced) charge may apply in certain circumstances (go to section 14).

Visitor charges (monthly, weekly and daily) are due when coming onto the waterway and they expire after the defined period of the registration. They are valid from the date and time set when registering for the period. Boats kept on Environment Agency waterways are not eligible for visitor registrations.

Monthly registration charges allow a boat to be on the waterway for 31 consecutive days.

Weekly registration charges allow a boat to be on the waterway for 7 consecutive days.