Boats that require a mooring are charged a mooring fee which is inclusive of the licence fee to boat the Navigation. There are separate licences for boats that don’t require moorings or the use of locks, including for canoes and paddleboards. 

Long term mooring rates apply to moorings of a minimum of three months. Boats are charged per metre in length per month, depending on the level of facilities available:

• Basic – £14.97
• Intermediate – £16.48
• Standard – £17.76
• Premium – £19.81
• Premium Plus – £22.05

Long term moorings are at Heybridge Basin, Paper Mill, Springfield, Hoe Mill and Sandford.  Rates with effect from 1st January 2026.

Find out more about the moorings available  and visitor moorings in Heybridge Basin.

Craft that don’t require moorings or use of locks still need to buy a licence.

Prices quoted are for a maximum length 12 foot for powered craft.  Annual licences for non-powered craft used for a business purpose (e.g. canoe and paddleboard schools) cost £55.

Non-Powered Craft includes all canoes, dinghies, inflatables and paddleboards, other than tenders to vessels that are already paying for a mooring (maximum one tender per vessel, with name on tender, and moored alongside or kept on board that vessel) .

Fees are collected by the lockkeeper at Heybridge Basin on arrival.

Stays of longer than one month will be charged long term mooring rates up to a maximum of three months.  A long term mooring agreement is required for stays over three months.

Most visitor moorings fees are in respect of visitors to Heybridge Basin, but the same pricing structure also applies to trail boats, and boats venturing upstream of Heybridge Basin.  Where visitors intend using locks, other than Heybridge Sea Lock, and therefore require lock training, a minimum fee of £100.00 now applies.

All bookings are subject to berth availability and terms and conditions.

Crane Charges for Lifting and Storing Boats at Heybridge

Lift out £24.00 per metre – Launch £24.00 per metre
Maximum crane fee, per lift out or launch, for any boat length: £350 per lift
Vessels on hard standing for more than six months will be charged £10 per week after the first six months for the remaining duration of the time on hard standing.

Special Rates:
Lift and hold in slings for survey or scrub off (own labour), includes use of pressure washer:
Up to 10 metres: £150
Between 10.1 and 15 metres: £210
Over 15 metres: £270
Availability of this service is for a maximum of 24 hours and is subject to weather conditions and no other demands on the crane.

For all crane lifts, the above rates plus the visitor mooring rates will apply for any vessels not currently berthed on the Navigation,.

Pressure washing a vessel (by Essex Waterways Ltd staff)

Minimum charge (in addition to crane charges) is £90, which allows for up to 2 hours, which should clean a moderately fouled boat of 10 metres. Over 2 hours will be charged at £45 per hour. For vessels not currently berthed on the Navigation, the above rates plus the visitor mooring rates will apply.

Un-step and Re-step Mast

For all vessels
£175 per hour, includes services of two members of staff and use of the crane.

For vessels not currently berthed on the Navigation, the above rates plus the visitor mooring rates will apply.

Wharfage fee for vessels craned out on the quayside: £150

By agreement with the proprietor of the Old Stables Tea Room.  Use of the slipway should be booked through the Paper Mill Lock office, telephone 01245 226245. 

The hire cost is a minimum of £70 per week (plus £10 per day thereafter) with a pull out and re-launch charge of £45 each way.