Lake warden scheme faces crisis

The registration fee applies to small boat users

A lake warden scheme at Windermere in Cumbria faces a cash crisis due to a change in the way boats are registered.

The warden scheme is partly funded by small boat users registering with the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) for an average of £48 per year.

But it has now emerged that vessels registered under a cheaper Maritime and Coastguard Agency scheme are exempt.

The LDNP has said it may not be able to afford the £145,000 a year needed to fund the warden service.

Lost revenue

That coastguard scheme costs £25 for five years, and many boat users are now expected to opt for this option.

The LDNPA's registration scheme helps finance the warden scheme, which enforces laws and assisting boat users in distress.

The authority is to discuss the situation at a meeting on 5 December, at which cutbacks may be recommended.

The LDNPA is also looking at how the lost revenue will impact on its cash reserves.