About DMBC
Established in 1938
Derby Motor Boat Club
Situated on the River Trent at Sawley Cut close to the junctions of the River Trent with the River Soar, the Erewash Canal and the Trent-&-Mersey Canal making it ideal for excursions in all directions.
Even though technically on the Trent we are actually on a small section of canal known as Sawley Cut, which bypasses the weir at Sawley. We have lock gates above and below our moorings and so the level of water is controlled to a considerable degree. There is still some rise and fall depending on the water levels but nowhere near the variation that would occur if we were on the river.
Everything you need
Our Facilities
The club has 132 Moorings occupied by a variety of craft up to a maximum length of 40ft, however members are limited to a max length of 32.8ft for the first 2 years.
Providing excellent facilities to our members within our secure gated compound including:
Clubhouse
Slipway
Paint Bay
Water & Electric
Toilets & Shower
Childrens Playground
Policy Statement
Our Statement Of General Policy
- To provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from this club’s activities;
- To communicate with all relevant parties on matters which may affect their health and safety;
- To provide and maintain safe plant and equipment;
- To ensure safe use of substances;
- To provide information on safe working practices / procedures;
- To ensure all relevant parties are competent to carry out the tasks they are required to undertake via adequate training;
- To maintain safe and healthy working conditions; and
- To review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals.
In July 2014 the Club implemented a Health & Safety Policy, the updated 2024 version can be downloaded below:
More information
Frequently Asked Questions
In 1963 the Club registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee and Without Shareholders in order to purchase our freehold and create a permanent legal basis to protect its future affairs. Funds were raised through debentures while each member’s liability was and remains, limited to £1 by guarantee and the freehold is protected against commercial exploitation.
As a ‘not for profit’ private members club, a volunteer Council of Management and proposed leader ‘The Commodore’ are elected at each AGM to manage the affairs of the club in the best interests of the wider membership.
A retained Secretary/Treasurer provides professional support to the Council and the financial affairs of the Club are independently examined in accordance with The Companies Act.
In summary, DMBC Ltd is a boating club incorporated at Companies House, limited by guarantee, run for its members by its members.
The Club has 132 moorings and with each Full member entitled to a mooring suitable to the boat, membership is limited to this number.
Some of our moorings take craft to a maximum of 40ft (12.2m) but these are at a premium so new joining membership is restricted to those with boats of maximum 33ft (10m) for at least the 2 years.
Joint owners of a boat must nominate, at application, which is to hold membership of the club.
The Council of Management comprises a maximum of 16 volunteer Full Members under the guidance of an established serving member elected to Office for a two year term and titled ‘Commodore’.
To gain experience, each commodore elect will have assisted previous commodores initially titled as Rear Commodore and then as Vice Commodore.
The Commodore will invite other members of the Council to accept specific managerial responsibility for key roles such as Moorings allocation and maintenance, Slipway booking and operation, Grounds and General maintenance, Social and Communications. Additionally, the Commodore chairs the Project Committee which promotes and controls capital Expenditure projects for new/upgraded facilities.
You will have noticed our adoption of naval terms for our management structure which is not simply to reflect our common interests in boating but to emphasise being a Members Club, not a commercial company with shareholders and profit objectives.
Finally, our definition of a Volunteer ranges from ‘enthusiastic participant through to ‘one too slow to have seen the Commodore approaching!!’
Are you interested in becoming a DMBC member?
We would love to have you on board, simply click the ‘Apply to join’ button to find out about our great membership benefits, membership fees and