and not rely on the goodwill and charity of the RNLI and other volunteer services
Dude not thinking of you but the poor bastard that has to pick up the pieces when you mess up and he has to do it for free.

actually the majority of boats are insured boats. cannot tie up at any port or lauch from any port unless they prove they have insurance. no boat is allowed on the waterways without insurance on the canals it is a condition of use.
pleasue boats cannot be launched in any harbour without first showing a insurance certificate and a certificate of seaworthiness. the problem is not there and even if it is the problem is very small and really not to be worried too much about. the system already in place works very well at the moment

Chap, please Sod off!

Do you know how much car, snowmobile, renters, business, personal liability, etc etc etc. costs.

What a load of bullocks. We don't need to pay for all that Rubbish.

The Happy Murthia(Ithink) has it right about the inland waterways.
I live near Holy Island which is accessed by a causeway at low tide. The safe crossing times are posted at each end and the number of drivers that have to be rescued by the RNLI
and the Airsea Rescue due to ignoring these times is unbelievable.
The cost of their rescue, which can be around £10,000, should be paid by their insurance companies.
I know I have strayed from the boat side of the question, but in our area it is a real bone of contention.