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To make using the canals of Britain safe and enjoyable we advice you to follow the guidance that we have for you in this section.

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To keep your boat secure, you need to tie it to the bank with a rope from both the front and the back (and middle if required). On rivers, you should fix your upstream rope first. Many mooring sites have bollards or rings to tie up to - choose ones a short distance beyond the front and the back of your boat.

Run your ropes at about 45º from your boat, loop them back onto the boat and tie securely, but not too tightly. To stop your boat moving backwards and forwards in flowing water, you can use 'springs' - see below right.

If there aren't any bollards or rings, use your mooring stakes, but check the stability of the bank and watch out for signs of underground pipes or cables before you start hammering. Knock them in to about half their length and make sure they're firm. Mark them with a piece of light-coloured cloth or a white carrier bag so that walkers can see them clearly, and don't tie your ropes across the towpath.

Leave a little slack in your ropes - that's especially important on tidal waterways or rivers. If the ropes are too tight and the water level drops, your boat could be left hanging from the bank. Remember that your anchor should be used if you need added security or extra help in a strong stream or tide - and you should still use mooring ropes.

Safety tips:

.Three useful knots

Locking hitch

Round turn and two half hitches

Quick release clove hitch

Where you can moor: Use signposted visitor moorings wherever possible, and always moor to the towpath if you can. Double-check that you’re not a hazard to other boats or to people using the bank. Leave room for other boats to tie up too. On rivers, only use authorised sites - most riverbanks are private property.

Don’t moor: In lock entrances or in lock flights, Near swing or lift bridges, Near weirs, Near sharp bends, By blind spots, In or opposite turning points, At junctions, To the bank on a tidal river - you might find yourself hanging from the ropes when the tide goes out!, In stretches marked out for an angling match, Stay 50 feet (15m) away from established angling spots