Professional Inland
Waterway Services
RiverWays specialises in professional vessel delivery, relocation and skipper services across the United Kingdom — for private owners, marinas, brokers and commercial operators.
Professional maritime experience, handled with care.
RiverWays provides dependable inland waterway services built upon commercial maritime experience and operational excellence. Our personnel come from professional maritime backgrounds including the Merchant Navy and Royal Navy.
Two service levels. One standard of care.
Whether you need a straightforward relocation or a complete white-glove experience, every journey is carried out with professionalism and precision.
RiverWays Move
Simple. Reliable. Affordable. For owners who need their vessel moved safely from one location to another — no unnecessary extras.
RiverWays Signature
A premium experience for owners who expect more. Every vessel is prepared, delivered and presented ready for immediate enjoyment.
Professional boat delivery. Simple. Reliable.
RiverWays Move is designed for owners who simply need their vessel moved safely from one location to another — professional boat delivery carried out by experienced maritime personnel.
- —Narrowboats
- —Widebeams
- —River Cruisers
- —Dutch Barges
- —Motor Cruisers
- —Commercial Inland Craft
- —Point-to-point delivery
- —Marina transfers
- —Mooring relocations
- —Brokerage collections
- —Brokerage deliveries
- —Passage planning
- —Lock operation
- —Fuel & water monitoring
- —Safe handover
Water or road? The smarter choice.
Road transport is rarely the best option for inland boats. Hauling a narrowboat or widebeam onto a lorry involves cranes, permits, strict routes and far more handling. RiverWays keeps your vessel in the water, where it belongs.
RiverWays Waterway Delivery
Recommended- ✓Boat stays in the water — no haul-out stress
- ✓No crane hire, lorry permits or low-bridge routes
- ✓Far less handling and lifting risk
- ✓Single professional skipper from start to finish
- ✓Flexible collection and delivery timing
- ✓Live progress updates and photographic reports
- ✓Fully insured, RYA-qualified crew
- ✓Nationwide coverage across the UK canal network
Road Transport
The alternative- —Requires specialist flatbed lorry and crane at both ends
- —Height, width and weight road restrictions to manage
- —Multiple contractors create more moving parts
- —Significantly higher lifting and damage risk
- —Permits, escort vehicles and access challenges
- —Often more expensive once crane hire is included
- —Tight scheduling and weather-dependent crane work
For most inland vessels, moving by water is safer, simpler and more cost-effective. Your boat is designed for the canals — we deliver it that way.
Request a Waterway Delivery Quote
White glove delivery & concierge.
RiverWays Signature is designed for owners who expect more than simply moving their boat. Every vessel is professionally prepared, delivered and presented ready for immediate enjoyment.
Choose how you'd like to arrive.
Essentials
- ·Milk, tea, coffee, sugar
- ·Bread & butter
- ·Sandwich fillings
- ·Bottled water
- ·Fresh towels
- ·Toilet & kitchen roll
- ·Washing-up liquid, bin bags
- ·Basic toiletries
- ·Boat aired before arrival
- ·Heating on (where fitted)
- ·Water tank checked
Premium Arrival
- ·Everything in Essentials
- ·Chilled bottle of Prosecco
- ·Luxury chocolates
- ·Fresh flowers
- ·Fresh orange juice
- ·Breakfast items
- ·Boat cleaned
- ·Fuel checked
- ·Water topped up
- ·Gas bottles checked
- ·Exterior wash-down
White Glove Concierge
- ·Personal shopping to your list
- ·Fresh groceries, bakery, fruit
- ·Wine & champagne
- ·Steaks & soft drinks
- ·Luxury hamper
- ·Children's snacks & pet supplies
- ·Heating prepared
- ·Lighting switched on
- ·Boat professionally presented
- ·Everything ready before arrival
Relax at the bow.
We'll take the helm.
Our fully uniformed professional skippers allow you to relax while we safely navigate your vessel.
Four considered steps.
Request a Quote
Share your vessel, route and preferred dates. We'll respond promptly with a tailored quotation.
Delivery Planning
Comprehensive passage planning, tide & lock scheduling, and route confirmation.
Professional Delivery
Your vessel handled by qualified maritime personnel with progress updates throughout.
Safe Handover
Personal handover with a detailed condition report — the boat ready for immediate enjoyment.
What we need from you.
A short checklist to make your delivery smooth, safe and compliant with UK inland waterway regulations.
Valid River Licence
Current Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency, Broads Authority or equivalent navigation licence covering every waterway on the planned route.
Boat Safety Scheme (BSS)
A current BSS certificate must be in place — this is required by all UK navigation authorities before we can take charge of your vessel.
Marine Insurance
Comprehensive marine insurance with minimum £3m third-party liability, with a policy that permits delivery by a professional third-party skipper.
Keys & Access
A full set of working keys and safe, arranged access to the vessel at the collection mooring on the agreed date.
Fuel, Water & Gas
Ideally a full fuel tank, full water tank and full gas bottles. Any refuelling en route is provided at cost with receipts.
Seaworthy Condition
Functioning engine, steering, lights, horn, mooring lines, fenders and life ring. We complete a photographic pre-departure condition report.
Unsure about licences or paperwork? Mention it in your enquiry — we'll help you get everything in order before departure.
An indicative estimate, in seconds.
Enter your route length and service level to see a guide price. Every final quotation is tailored to your vessel, waterway, locks and dates — request one below for the precise figure.
Estimate is based on ~22 cruising miles per day and does not include fuel, licences or crew accommodation where applicable.
Questions, answered.
Everything owners, brokers and marinas most often ask before booking a RiverWays delivery.
Begin your journey.
Share a few details and our team will respond with a tailored quotation for your vessel and route.