In October 2006, an alliance of waterway user groups was formed and issued a joint press release under the title United Campaign Against Waterway Funding Cuts.
The newly formed "Save Our Waterways" campaign group took part in the united campaign, along with the ten national organisations listed below:
IWA, a registered charity founded in 1946, advocates the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the inland waterways for public benefit. IWA has over 17,500 individual members whose interests include boating, towing path walking, industrial archaeology, nature conservation and many other activities associated with the inland waterways, plus 188 corporate members representing around 60,000 members. IWA works closely with navigation authorities, other waterway bodies, a wide range of national and local authorities, voluntary, private and public sector organisations to raise funds, lobby for support and encourage public participation. Its subsidiary, Waterway Recovery Group provides voluntary labour that helps to restore derelict inland waterways. [Website]
AWCC is the UK's voice for over 100 boating clubs countrywide representing the interests of 6,000 inland waterways boat owners, and up to 20,000 family members. It campaigns vigorously in all aspects of the inland waterways and has been active in expressing the views of our individual members in all matters affecting boaters and cruising. [Website]
BCU is the UK recognised governing body for the sport and recreation of canoeing. It represents some 57,000 canoeists both as individual members and through over 500 affiliated clubs and 145 approved centres. [Website]
BMF is the national trade association for the UK leisure marine industry. Its 1,500 member companies are predominantly small businesses. These companies provide the boats, equipment, facilities and services that enable a great many people to enjoy boating and watersports on our inland waterways and coast. [Website]
The Barge Association brings together people interested in barges and barging, representing their interests and maintaining contact with navigation authorities, organisations and associations. The 1600 members, owning both historic ex-commercial barges and new builds, benefit from a broad base of experience and knowledge both in UK and across Europe. [Website]
The aims of HNBOC include: to encourage the preservation, restoration and use of working boats and ex-working narrow boats and to promote the maintenance of the waterways system to a standard suitable to facilitate the navigation of such boats throughout the year. [Website]
The history of horsedrawn transport on inland waterways spans centuries. Horses towed from river banks supplementing sail power. The canal network evolved with horsepower as the prime mover. The Horseboating Society is open to membership by all and preserves and promotes horseboating by short or long distance journeys encouraging the continuation of the required skills by crew and horses. Currently the HBS is on a 3 year programme, funded by The Heritage Lottery. BW and EA are very supportive of the Society's efforts. [Website]
NABO is seen as the consumer group representing the full range of individual craft licence and registration holders of the main inland navigation authorities. However its activities are aimed to work with the authorities to benefit all boaters where possible. [Website]
RBOA was formed in 1963. It is the only organisation which exclusively represents liveaboard boaters on the canals, rivers and coastal estuaries in England and Wales. RBOA encourages a high standard of residential boat ownership and works with Navigation Authorities and Local Authorities to safeguard existing residential moorings and to increase the number of well planned and well managed mooring sites. Through their lifestyle, members of RBOA have a commitment to all aspects of the inland waterways and a reduction in funding from Defra might put their homes and way of life at risk. [Website]
RYA is Britain's national body for all forms of boating, It has 103,000 personal members, 1,500 affiliated clubs and classes, and 2,250 RYA-accredited Training Centres worldwide. RYA training is internationally renowned and used by the Royal Navy, RNLI, Coastguard, MoD, Police and Fire Service, as well as tens of thousands of recreational boaters. In competition, sailing was Britain's most successful sport at the last two Olympics and Britain is currently the World's No 1 sailing nation. [Website]
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