What right has looe harbour commission to charge small boats a fee for passing through the harbour to get to the sea?
surely it is a tidal river,belonging to the crown,therefore passage is a free right of way.the harbour commission may hold the land above high tide marks,but not the tidal waters of the river.i am sure what they are doing is illegal.
i urge all owners of boats moored above looe bridge to refuse to pay any fees to the harbour commission and i wish someone with balls would sue them and claim a refund for all previous years,looe small boat owners club?????come on dont let them bully you.

I agree with you. Small boat owners should stand up to these bullies!

I agree totally.i think looe harbour commissioners are acting illegally and until they confirm that what they are doing is legal i think everyone should refuse to pay them.where is my refund for the last 10 years

A first fundamental distinction is between tidal and non-tidal waters. In tidal waters there is a public right of navigation just as there is a public right of fishery. In non-tidal waters the situation is completely different

As a boat owner in Looe I have always refused to pay for such passage, you expect somali pirates off africa but not in Looe. None of the day trippers or canoeist pay to travel from the bridge to sea and I doubt whether the Gig club do either. Having spoken to others there is I believe a right of safe passage in navigation. I have also spoke to an ex commissioner of Looe Harbour who has told me the fee was never intended for those who use the river to go to sea, only for those using the harbours facility's. Any how I would advise all to refuse to pay, it is Theft and Misrepresentation. And yes someone does need to sue them where is Looe small boat owners club when it needs to stand up and be counted. I would sue but as I have always refused to Pay there is no point.