Welcome to DBA The Barge Association

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DBA the Barge Association is a 'not-for-profit' limited company run by volunteers and open to everybody, with or without a boat or barge, who is or would like to be living in, cruising in, converting, or just relaxing aboard.

• Our aims are to bring together people interested in barges and barging.
• To establish and maintain contact with other relevant societies and clubs, navigation authorities and trade associations.
• To represent the interests of barge owners in areas such as moorings rights, navigation permits and charges, provision and maintenance of barge navigations and navigation safety regulations.

DBA the Barge Association, previously known as the Dutch Barge Association, is generally but by no means exclusively concerned with Big Old Boats from any origin converted for living afloat and pleasure cruising in Europe. Typically these are ex-commercial cargo vessels, often from the Netherlands or UK because those are the best sources of craft of a suitable size. Most barges are flat bottomed, and therefore best suited to river, canal, and estuary cruising, although they can make sea voyages (such as across the English Channel) in calm weather.

• DBA was launched in 1992 and has over 1600 members from all over the world.
• We invite everyone who is interested in barges or other broad beam inland craft to .
• Our colour magazine Blue Flag is sent to members every two months and has received a number of awards within the boating press. If you would like to advertise in Blue Flag our current rates are
• We also run several active Email Discussion Lists.
• We have negotiated discounts for members with several suppliers.
• An Insurance scheme for members of the DBA has been devised, further details can be found here

You are very welcome here. Please look around our site using the left hand menu and contact us if you have any questions or suggestions.