Later this year, a new act is coming into force that will mean that anyone found to be over the legal drink driving limit of 80mg per 100 millilitres of blood, who is at the tiller of a narrow boat will be subject to a fine of up to £5,000 at a magistrates court.

It had been thought that with the slower average speed of 3 mph on the canals of Great Britain, the narrowboater would find a more relaxed approach than the larger sea going boats, but it seems they’re all tarred with the same brush.

So, the next time you see a narrowboat tied up outside a country pub, whilst the owners enjoy a leisurely lunch, bear in mind that once they cast off, a couple of pints could make them drunk in charge of a tiller.

The British Marine Federation are not entirely happy about the new rule and their executive director Mark Pridding said “We didn’t want blanket legislation. We don’t believe that there is a widespread problem of alcohol afloat and were worried how this would impact on people taking boating holidays, where a glass of wine with a meal is one of the things you do.”

Explain that to the foreign visitors we’re hoping will visit our waterways this summer!