The Magazine of the National Association of Boat Owners Issue 1 February 2021

BSS FINANCES A VIEW OVER TIME OF THE RIVER NENE NABO’S RESPONSE TO CRT ON LICENCE T&CS 23

The NABO Council 2021 Regional Representatives:

Chair, Legal Affairs and BSS Rep. Anglian Waterways The magazine of the National Association of Boat Owners Mike Rodd Mark Tizard Issue 1 February 2021 07831 860199 [email protected] 07818 757676 [email protected] Vice Chair East Midlands Waterways Mark Tizard Peter Braley Contents Next NABO News copy date 07818 757676 [email protected] 07940 269771 [email protected] 4 Editorial Articles, letters, cartoons and photos are most wel­come. Images in JPEG format please. Treasurer London Waterways 5 In the Chair Please email your contributions to Helen Hutt David Williams 7 Fly on the wall 07831 682092 [email protected] 07813 496208 [email protected] [email protected] or post to the Editor by 8 Peter Brayley: New Council member March 20th 2021. NABO News Editor Middle Level 9 Vaccinations and lockdown Peter Fellows Mark Tizard 10 Around the Regions Cover photo 19 High Street, Bonsall, Derbyshire, DE4 2AS 07818 757676 [email protected] 12 The waterways and ‘building back better’ 01629 825267 [email protected] North East, Yorkshire and Humber, 13 2021 Census, Waterways Ombudsman This month's photo is by Simon Godfrey from Webmaster, NAG (Operations) and BSS Rep. Shared Ownership Rep. Unsplash. 14 NABO’s response to CRT's consultation David Fletcher Howard Anguish Win a year’s free membership by having your on licence terms and conditions photo selected for the front cover of NABO 07719 276659 [email protected] 01482 669876 [email protected], 18 Does it make sense? Publicity and Communications Officer [email protected] News. Please email photos as JPEG attachments, 21 CRT news Anne Husar North West Waterways ideally portrait format with a file size of 2MB or Matt Thompson 22 BSS finances larger. 07796 868482 [email protected] 24 Sustainable propulsion, Solid fuel stoves Continuous Cruising Rep, Moorings Rep. 07973 849466 [email protected] 25 Old Bore’s Almanac 2021 Phil Goulding River Severn Phil Goulding 26 Boating: Time and the River Nene 01271 865340 [email protected] 28 Waterways chaplaincy Recruitment and Welfare Officer Details left 29 Alternative materials for lock gates Ken Hylins River Thames 20 Rewind: Issue No 5, 2005 07852 911539 [email protected] Graham Paterson 31 Letters Technical Officer 0118 986 3959 [email protected] John Devonald River Trent 07899 898115 [email protected] Peter Braley Members 07940 269771 [email protected] Peter Braybrook South East Waterways John Devonald 07865 086082 [email protected] Matt Thompson 07899 898115 [email protected] Southern Waterways, Welsh Waterways 07973 849466 [email protected] Peter Braley Mike Rodd

07940 269771 [email protected] Details left West Midlands Waterways Minutes Secretary Peter Braybrook NABO News is published by the Vacant 07865 086082 [email protected] National Association of Boat Owners General Sec. (External Relations) 20 Oak Grove, Hertford, SG13 8AT Mark Tizard NABO Online Editor: Peter Fellows Production: Chris Pink 07818 757676 [email protected] Mark Tizard Whilst every care is taken to ensure that the contents of this newsletter are factually correct, we accept no liability for any direct or consequential facebook.com/master.nabo loss arising from any action taken by anyone as a result of reading anything contained in this publication. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the Association. The products and services advertised in this publication are not necessarily endorsed by the Association. David Fletcher Twitter @NABO_Official

NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 4 5 The Editor’s Column In the Chair

espite it being midwinter that boating isn’t? If any of the senior ell, at least we did have pears to be towards making this part with a national lockdown managers who make such decisions some time, pre-Christ- of the EA far more financially inde- in place – or on reflection, had tried to ascend flights of locks mas, to get out on our pendent of government funding and D perhaps because of this on the Rochdale or Huddersfield W boats before the next hence more attractive, in order to fa- – I’ve received a bountiful crop of Narrow – or, for that matter, bat- full lockdown took over. cilitate an eventual move into CRT. contributions for this issue. tled stiff paddles and unyielding Ours being down in South One particular aspect of the EA’s Clearly, people are thinking about gates across the system – they would Wales means that we are continu- changes that deeply concerns us is boating even though they are unable know that boating certainly is exer- ally caught by the infuriating Cardiff its decision to retain an external pri- to do so. Which raises the question cise. Instead, liveaboards are forced Assembly trying to prove its man- vate operator to manage and—where of why has boating been suspended, to moor up, alongside crowded hood by doing something slightly necessary—enforce all their time- when being on a moving boat is one towpaths in some areas, as visitors different from Westminster—with limited moorings on the non-tidal of the safest places to be in a pan- respond to CRT’s exhortations to really silly results for us who live in Thames. Awarding this contract to demic? And if navigation authorities exercise by the waterways. one area but boat in the other! Of a car parking organisation (whose consider fishing to be a legitimate Staying with liveaboards, there’s course, we all know how serious all form of exercise, why do they think some advice in the news section this is, so we just hope that the vac- on how to get a Covid jab and how cine will mean that we will soon see A time of change to prepare for the upcoming cen- a sensible way ahead for all of us. From navigation authorities to electric boating, Mike sus. NABO’s response to the CRT I would like to start by say- Lockdown blues consultation on terms and condi- ing how wonderful it is to see the Rodd sees a busy year ahead for NABO Editor Peter Fellows has spotted inconsistencies in tions is included in full, together many new faces on your Council— with Councillors’ comments on the not just the people who are new to income will be largely dependent on the way that boaters are being treated readability of CRT’s documentation. NABO’s Council, but also those who the funding that it generates from These are detailed and technical, but are already very active within the ’fines’ for overstaying) is very worry- worth reading in full to see how CRT organisation. This allows us to do ing—especially as CRT has already is again attempting to seek powers even more as a prime representa- made some small moves in the same to which it is not entitled under the tive for all boaters. And that is so direction. One can see that if the Waterways Acts. important right at this moment— EA’s approach to this outsourcing To balance things up a little, Paul with CRT currently undertaking two of one of its fundamental respon- Monahan consults the Old Bore’s important ’so-called’ consultations. sibilities is found to be effective (at Almanac to see what’s in store for ’So-called’ because so often they least from the EA’s financial point of us this coming year. David Fletcher seem to be mere formalities, with view) then the approach could well lifts the lid on BSS finances and CRT having pretty well decided the be adopted elsewhere. From a boat- Anne Husar describes the changes way ahead, but needing to be seen er’s perspective, the consequences that she saw to the River Nene after to take user suggestions on board. In are horrendous. On the non-tidal five years away. Waterway organi- this issue, you will see details regard- Thames, when you arrive at any of sations continue to meet by Zoom ing the extensive work in preparing the EA’s time-limited moorings and and Helen Hutt reports on meet- our submissions, outlining our ma- intend to stay, even for less than ing of CRT Council and the All jor concerns about many aspects of the allowable 24 hours, you have to Party Parliamentary Group for the recent consultations. They will have email or phone in your arrival time, Waterways. New Council member, impacts on all of us, so please do plus information about you and Peter Braley, introduces himself and read our submissions, as well as our your boat. If you overstay, a charge has also sent us his first regional comments on readability. of £150 is demanded—and if this report. There are also regional re- Also at this time, we are fully is not paid, you are threatened that ports from Howard Anguish and aware of the massive changes tak- your boat will be taken away and Mike Rodd, and Peter Braybrook ing place within the sector of the EA sold! Much of this is not only con- describes the sterling work of the that is responsible for managing its trary to the relevant Waterways Acts Waterways Chaplaincy. Hopefully, navigational responsibilities—start- but is also probably illegal. Together by the next issue in April, there may ing with the people involved being with other boating organisations, be better news to report about lifted moved into different areas of the EA and with legal advice from the Royal restrictions, so that we can all enjoy itself. Many of the personnel have Yachting Association, NABO has some Spring boating. changed and the whole thrust ap- expressed its deep concerns—but up Photo: Darren Venables NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 6 7 Chairman’s Column NABO Council meeting January 16th 2021

until now we are all being totally ig- introduced for road vehicles, and nored by the EA. we will be forced to move towards What is particularly notable electric-based boats. But such a Fly on the wall about both the CRT consultations change would be even more chal- Observes proceedings at the January Council meeting and the recent action by the EA, is lenging than with cars—especially how we, like most boater representa- as we use diesel not just for power- tive organisations (with one notable ing the engine but also for charging exception?), are being ignored by the our batteries and keeping us warm he first meeting of the year residents in some of boating authorities—despite con- and fed. Additionally, the essential kicked off with the newly the posher areas tinually asking to be involved at the batteries needed for such a change expanded Council attending are complaining earliest stages. In the case of the work are not yet available, and neither T by teleconference. NABO’s that they don’t on CRT’s Terms and Conditions, solar nor wind power is ever going response to CRT’s proposals to re- like to look out we are actually supportive of some to be a major contributor. It is thus vise its terms and conditions was on ’scruffy boats of the proposed changes; had CRT essential that NABO keeps on top first on the agenda. with smoky spoken quietly to us before going of these developments and remains NABO’s stance has generated stoves’. out publicly, we could have helped in a position to provide professional positive comments by boaters on Council mem- to make the changes both more ac- guidance to both its members and all social media—all good PR for the bers think that ceptable and also, quite frankly, far interested (and in many cases, highly Association and even prompt- the huge reorganisation at better written! The work we have ill-informed) organisations. ing some to become members. But the EA is in preparation to hand done on the readability of the T&Cs many boaters think that T&Cs are over its waters to CRT - but not is very revealing—in that the docu- BSS and the increase in electric boring—even more so with NABO’s for a few years yet. The contract ments produced by CRT are highly consumption comments on GDPR. Most boaters for mooring management on the unreadable (in terms of applying Alongside this, it is also vital for either don’t think they’re important Thames continues to attract severe Council meetings are various well-recognised readability NABO to ensure that the valuable or don’t know what they are. criticism. If boaters don’t let District normally held at boat tools) and generally poorly written. and successful Boat Safety Scheme is Then onto a discussion of NABO’s Enforcement (DE) know when they clubs in the Midlands submission to CRT’s consultation arrive at a mooring, they will be as- area. However, with Also, sections have evidently been fit to meet the challenge of increas- COVID-19 they will be written by folk who have never been ing exploitation of electrical systems on congestion in London: it seems sumed to have overstayed and will held by teleconference near a canal or a boat! on our boats. that the consultation meetings be fined £150 per day. There are also until the Council is able In an era when both CRT and One of the serious issues here is were poorly attended by boaters, questions about how DE stores boat- to meet again face-to- the EA will necessarily be looking that, as these systems become more with only a handful taking part in ers’ details. Legal advice is that this is face. for continuing government fund- complex and high-powered, the in- each telephone meeting. Not much all probably against the law, but the Members are ing, surely they need supportive and spection regimes will necessarily seems to have resulted so far and it EA is taking no notice. welcome to join in the committed friends like never before? have to change. However, ensuring all seemed very wishy-washy. Maybe The latest Covid lockdown is teleconferences; please I am so pleased that one of our that this is possible without incur- boaters will see mooring zones and causing problems for some boaters. just let the Secretary or council newbies, John Devonald, ring large costs for boat owners is different (chargeable) stay times? CRT claims to have attracted people Chair know in advance has agreed to take on a particular going to be very tricky. An electrical The promised outcomes from to exercise on the towpaths, with (contact details inside new role for us: looking in detail at inspection on a house has to be done the 2018 London strategy have not a 300% increase in visitors. CRT cover). the possible future introduction of by someone with the appropriate materialised, held up by lack of cash thinks this is a success, but it is al- The dates for Council non-diesel-based boats. It is clear electrical qualifications; will our BSS and difficulties with planning per- ienating some liveaboards. Visitors meetings in 2021 are: that governments around the world inspectors soon have to be, likewise, missions. Hire companies do not are ignoring CRT signs saying don’t March 13th, April 24th, allow hirers to go into London be- get close to moored boats, and some June 19th, September are, rightly, increasingly committed fully qualified electrically? And, 4th, October 9th and to the reduction in the use of fossil indeed, are the present BSS require- cause there’s nowhere for them to boaters have put quarantine tape November 13th (includes fuels, and inland waterways boats ments themselves fit for purpose? moor – and even Tim and Pru had across the towpath to make visitors AGM). are a nice, easy target—especially if So, we face a very full few years to travel late into the evening with use an alternative route past their you live near a canal and have to put ahead for NABO, in a rapidly chang- their film crew before they could boats. Councillors wondered what up with nasty smelly boats. We see ing world—even though all we (and find somewhere not very nice to CRT’s response will be when boat- this in parts of London, for example, indeed most boaters) want to do moor. Council members recognised ers have to wait in an area for three where the Mayor has made it clear is just to get out on our boats and that CRT has a problem, but there months between their first and sec- that he is going to “sort out” this (al- quietly cruise along our wonderful are no obvious solutions. It’s not just ond Covid jabs. leged) problem! So we are likely to waterways. I hope this will soon be problems for boaters who have to Byeee from the bleak midwinter see demands similar to those being possible, for all our sakes. moor up three or four abreast, but until hopefully a better Spring .... NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 8 9 News Membership Matters New Council member Peter Braley

I’m living aboard my nar- well versed in the reality that this is rowboat, with my long suffering not necessarily a cheap option. partner Tracey, at Nottingham My first boat ’Pheobe’ was a Castle Marina. I work as an HGV Liverpool Boats 45ft cruiser-stern Vaccinations and driver, driving a car transporter, de- narrowboat - clean and very well medical support livering cars all around the country, presented and, after a full survey, as which unfortunately entails me be- sound as she looked. She also came If you are a continuous cruiser and concerned ing away Monday to Friday/Saturday with the possibility of a mooring at about accessing a Covid vaccination, contact a Anyone can register with a GP surgery. most weeks of the year. Tracey Nottingham Castle Marina, so I de- doctor’s surgery and ask for advice. Covid testing You do not need proof of address or works as a specialised nursing care cided to stay. That was in October and vaccinations are free with no restrictions. If immigration status. practitioner at the local hospital. 2014 and I have been here since. a surgery doesn’t want to register you as a tem- You might be able to register with a GP My first introduction to inland Most of my boating is on the Trent porary patient for general medical support, show waterway life was when I bought a and Soar, venturing as far as Lincoln surgery that’s not in the area where you them this card. live. There is further information at www. house that backed onto the Erewash and Market Harborough, and also We will shortly have a supply of these cards, Canal at Sandiacre, Derbyshire. A the full length of the Erewash to nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/registering- so if you would like one to carry with you and with-a-gp-outside-your-area. number of summers were spent Langley Mill. you have access to the post, please email gensec@ waving at narrowboats crews as they The recent refit of our current nabo.org.uk and we will send one to you. passed the bottom of our garden. boat, ’Jack O’Legs’, (a CNM-built Then, on a chance visit to Sawley 58ft semi-trad) at Kingswinford Marina, my then wife spotted a 23 ft last winter, meant a round trip that Lockdown guidance tended until the end of March so that they can Springer for sale. She fell in love with took us onto the River Severn and remain open. At sites that are not included in the boat and decided to buy it. My through Birmingham, when floods Following the Government’s announcement on the contract, the toilets will remain closed.

interests were sports cars, motor- and Covid restrictions allowed. 4th January of a national lockdown for England, There will be no cash handling at any EA sites. cycles and motor racing, but I was I became a member of NABO in the EA issued the following updated guidance for Updated information is available at www.gov.uk/ willing to go along with the idea as 2015, as a means of finding out a bit boaters: government/organisations/environment-agency. CRT reported: the rules and the impact on long as it didn’t cost too much mon- more about life on the waterways, All navigation on EA waterways should be ey or time. and because NABO appeared to be limited to essential travel only. boating are largely the same as for the first lock- down last year. All navigation in England and Oh how little I knew! We were the only organisation dedicated to Travel on waterways and overnight stays are totally naive and bought it without representing the interests of all pri- only permitted where the boat is your per- Wales should be limited to essential use only. a survey. I refitted the galley and vate boat owners and their right to manent residence or it is necessary for work, If you are not occupying your boat you should shower room, and serviced a rather navigate unhindered - and to hold to education or similar reasons. Those who live not take overnight stays on it during this period. temperamental outboard. When it account the navigation authorities in aboard should limit their travel to access es- Those living aboard are advised to move only a came to selling, we realised from their duty to uphold those rights. sential services and facilities. Some activities minimal amount to access essential facilities or a prospective buyer’s survey that I was also impressed by the rec- using unpowered boats are permitted as part services. CRT will keep all its facilities open, we’d spent the previous three years ognition NABO has gained with the of daily exercise, limited to once a day and but there might be closer private facilities that blithely motoring up and down the major navigation authorities by be- within the Government guidance for exercise. will reduce the distance you need to travel. If an essential journey requires passage through a Trent and Soar in what turned out to ing a constructive but independent There will be no assisted passage on the River be a potential colander! critic of their work. Having attended Thames and all locks will remain on public staffed structure you will need to book well in Having parted company with my a number of AGMs, I was asked to power. Teddington Lock has special arrange- advance to ensure CRT can facilitate passage. wife and having rather enjoyed my become the representative for the ments in place. The requirement to move every 14 days is sus- pended until the restrictions come to an end. If introduction to boating life, I decid- East Midlands and River Trent area, There will be no charge or time limit at any ed to have a look at boat ownership to act as eyes and ears for the NABO EA moorings. you are self-isolating and don’t have any support networks, contact your local boat licence sup- myself. This time with the aim of liv- Council and to report back any local There will be no charge for pump-outs. port team. ing aboard, although by now I was issues affecting boaters in this area. The cleaning contract for public toilets is ex- NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 10 11 Around the Regions East million spend across the waterways this winter. we were also delighted to receive an additional I also read that the Derby & Sandiacre Canal and completely unexpected grant from one of the Around the regions Midlands Trust has received £350,000 from Network Rail initial project funders, The Wolfson Foundation, Peter Brayley to go towards work on the Draycott section of specifically aimed at helping Crofton cope with with NABO’s the canal. This will help reduce flooding on the the reduction in visitor numbers due to the railway as well as helping the Trust to reopen the Covid crisis. With Government’s in- canal from Sandiacre to Derby. I haven’t seen an regional reps structions on daily exercise announcement of this on the Trust’s excellent and CRT’s desire that that Yorkshire and website but no doubt there will be an update to exercise should take place in the area with around 200-plus boats mooring this effect soon. The North East on the towpaths, they cer- in the Dock at two marinas. Ironically, the breach Should you have any boating or navigational tainly appear to be very busy with runners and Howard Anguish is in the same area that suffered major flooding issues or news from the East Midlands area that 12 months ago, so it is an extremely sensitive cyclists, as well as the usual walkers, at least in I took part in a Zoom forum you wish to bring to NABO’s attention, please do subject. It is fortunate that CRT has managed my Nottingham area of the canal. in January, which is the first not hesitate to contact me. to avoid flooding by their actions so far, using In this lockdown, there does appear to be a that the Y&NE have held. It helicopters to plug a major leak with hundreds of little more tolerance between local canal moor- was well attended with 42 Wales and the tons of stones and sand. But this has been at the ers and the general public, but it is a pity that the participants, including a expense of local boating, which cannot use the signs CRT has put up, reminding people to keep South West number of CRT managers. These managers were canal, and this situation may continue for some their distance from moored boats, aren’t larger a mix of local and national, and included: Sean Mike Rodd months depending on what is discovered when and more frequently placed. The same could also McGinley, Regional Director Yorks and North the canal is dewatered in the area of the breach. be said of the signs reminding cyclists of their With most boaters self- East; Jon Horsfall, Head of Customer Services Sean also briefed the meeting on issues at duty to slow down. isolating, there is little Support; Mathew Symonds, National Boating Harthill Reservoir, which supplies water to the There are plenty of paddle boarders and ca- movement on the canals Manager, Leisure Boating; and a number of local Chesterfield Canal, and which will need a £5 mil- noeists about, especially at weekends; mainly – but like elsewhere, the Y&NE managers. lion upgrade to bring it up to national standard. students I believe, wanting to relieve the bore- towpaths are very busy. In the past, I have attended many such Work will commence in 2022 and be completed dom of their lockdown. Fortunately the scourge This continues to be an issue for the liveaboards meetings and last night’s was probably the best by early 2023. We were briefed about the major of the eScooter appears not to have descended who are naturally deeply concerned about the attended for a number of years. In my opinion floods caused by storms Ciara and Dennis over on the local towpaths, despite the eScooter com- large number of folk walking right next to their it was a success. It followed the usual pattern of Christmas 2019/2020, which has resulted in the pany, Wind, operating in both Nottingham and boats on narrow towpaths. Of course, in places individual presentations, mainly concerning lo- need for major work – especially at Figure of 3 Derby since October. I believe each scooter has on the K&A the towpaths are the main com- cal issues, with a sprinkling of national subjects Locks – which is ongoing. a tracking device that prevents it being operated munication routes for folks walking or riding to as well. The Zoom format allowed questions to During the national lockdown, CRT has expe- in an area deemed unlawful, which thankfully work. There are also other places where canal- be debated throughout the meeting using the rienced a huge increase in towpath users – up to appears to include canal towpaths. There also ap- side homes have their main entry doors opening chat facility and in that regard it was, if anything, 300% – which has at times caused concern about pears to be little increase in angling hereabouts, directly onto the towpaths. No easy solution, but more productive than the traditional meetings. the safety of CRT staff working in the proxim- despite the Government’s declaration that fish- maybe there should be an extensive information I think the relative success of the meeting may ity of so many people. During the first lockdown, ing is an official form of exercise. campaign to educate towpath users? well lead to more Zoom meetings throughout it was also unfortunate (for water resources) River levels are high but that’s par for the CRT (well actually their contractors) have the year, which may allow for local issues to be that this coincided with good weather, and the course at this time of year. So even if we were been undertaking extensive work on both the addressed more quickly. Time will tell. resumption of busy boating activity led to pres- allowed to move, we wouldn’t get very far. CRT K&A and the Mon & Brec with many signifi- Although primarily a local issue, the Aire & sure on water resource management. There was a has been regularly announcing closures of all the cant lock gate replacements. On the Mon & Brec Calder breach is a significant event and Sean brief discussion of a recent ruling by Government usual suspects, such as the Alrewas river section, some planned remedial work had to be resched- took time to update the meeting on present work that angling can be regarded as exercise, together Derwent Mouth, Cranfleet, between Kings and uled due to a major problem found beneath a and future intentions, which may lead to a full with the use of unpowered craft falling into the Redhill lock, but I believe that’s due to damage. bridge hole that required urgent action. I have repair later in the year. Because there is a connec- same category. Once lockdown rules are relaxed, The Newark office is still closed until further no- to also acknowledge the quick reaction of CRT tion with Goole Docks (operated by Associated there will be a great opportunity for volunteers tice, Cromwell Lock passage needs to be booked to user reports of problems at the Hungerford British Ports) care has to be taken with water in areas such as rangers, water control and res- and Torksey onto the Fossdyke is currently wharf – much appreciated, and shows the im- levels to allow shipping to continue operations as ervoir monitoring, and CRT engineers will work closed. I believe there is also still a sunken boat portance of good communications! much as possible. This has to be commensurate on a ’Waterways First’ principle, with many lock up from Trent Lock on the Erewash canal. The work of CRT volunteers clearing the with maintaining a safe level in the canal to pre- gate failures being caused by degradation and I see in January’s ’Towpath Talk’ that CRT is Crofton leat is also of great value. And the K&A vent any flooding to a large area of farmland and misuse. Finally, there was time for an exchange spending £4 million on waterway repairs in the Canal Trust’s HLF project at Crofton has been local housing in Snaith and East Cowick. There of views about a number of really local matters. East Midland region - apparently part of a £45 completed and signed off by the funders. There is a significant amount of leisure boating activity NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 12 13 Byline The waterways and ‘building back better’ Make sure you are counted Helen Hutt reports on a Zoom meeting of The All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways in Ahead of the census in March, the Office of December. National Statistics explains how liveaboard boaters can take part. it was generally agreed that getting more people his was my first experience of the to use and love the waterways (initiatives like APPWG and it was more interesting ‘Let’s Fish’) was helping to combat this. In March, every household in England and Wales than anticipated! Lord Bradshaw said that with new housing in will be expected to complete their census ques- Chaired by Michael Fabricant the Thames Valley there would be water short- tionnaire, which, of course, includes people T living on boats. MP, there were three good presentations ages; the proposal is to install a Severn-Thames from Richard Parry, CRT; Adrian Main, Avon pipeline, but he asked whether the Cotswold Everyone, including visitors from overseas, Navigation Trust; and John Packham, Broads Canal could be completed and used instead, with must take part on 21st March 2021. For the Authority, all focussing very much on widening many additional benefits. Michael Fabricant first time, the census will be primarily online. the appeal of the waterways and all emphasising thought this should be the topic of another meet- However, paper questionnaires will be available how much more money is required to keep them ing. for those who need them. Local census support in good shape! Canal blogger, Andrew Denny, asked what centres will help with completing paper forms or March, even if people are away cruising on their I didn’t get to ask any questions, not surpris- was happening with shortage of water on the getting online. boat, they still have to take part; the advice from ingly, but this seems to be a good forum if you Rochdale Canal and the potential opening of the Liveaboard boaters will receive a letter, either ONS is to complete the questionnaire before you can get to the right person. Here’s a short selec- Rochdale Town Arm. Richard Parry explained by hand from a census officer or in the post, with go. tion: the challenges and hoped the canal would re- details of how to take part (the method depends The man in charge of delivering the census is Lord Dolar Popat asked, on behalf of a con- open before next summer; he and Tony Lloyd on whether the mooring is registered with Royal the ONS’s deputy national statistician, Iain Bell, stituent, why Cumberland Basin on the Regent’s agreed to discuss the Arm project separately. Mail or not). For those registered with Royal who is himself a boater, spending part of his time Canal had not been dredged despite numerous Roger Stocker of British Cycling commented Mail, the ONS letter will contain a unique access living on the Mon & Brec. He said: “My advice promises. Richard Parry gave no real answer in on the lack of diversity on the waterways (ironic code to allow a boater to complete their form on- for liveaboards is to make sure you have a post- my view, but he was definitely put on the spot. considering all those at the meeting except me line. If a boater is not registered with Royal Mail al point if you have a mooring. For continuous Tony Lloyd MP raised the issue of vandalism; were men, mostly white and of a certain age!). and lives in a marina, a census officer will deliver cruisers, registration with a GP will cover you as the letter. If people live on a permanent moor- well.” ing or other location, census officers will deliver More information census.gov.uk. Census helpline forms to the households they can find. During UK 0800 141 2021 Wales, 0800 169 2021. Photo: CRT Waterway roles for Waterways Ombudsman Annual report New Committee chair young people The Annual Report for 2019/20 includes summaries of all CRT has secured funding by the Department for Karen McArthur is completed investigations. Work and Pensions to create opportunities in the new Chair of the This is the first an- heritage repair and construction, and waterways Committee. Her term nual report of the current management, for young people. of office started in Ombudsman, Sarah Daniel, The six-month positions are part of the January, when Kevin who took up the post on 29th ‘Kickstart’ initiative; a programme for young Fitzgerald stood down July 2019. During the year, the people aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal at the end of his three- Ombudsman received 41 enquiries about CRT, Credit and are at risk of long-term unemploy- year term. Karen has a similar number to the previous year. Seven ment. The programme aims to support them to Another 31 positions are with the Trust’s con- been a Committee new investigations were opened, significantly build their experience and help them move into struction teams, where participants will learn member since 2019. fewer than the 15 in the previous year, and ten sustained employment. The Trust is offering 69 heritage skills, from masonry, bricklaying and Her background is complaints were resolved. Of these, three were placements, at an estimated value of c. £500,000. carpentry to canal bank protection and towpath in corporate leader- upheld in part, one was settled and six were not In Burnley, Leicester and Walsall, up to 36 people resurfacing. ship and she has experience in non-executive upheld. will gain experience in waterway management Two further roles are being created in the positions, with a portfolio of roles balancing The report is at www.waterways-ombudsman. and customer service, including canal and tow- Trust’s digital marketing team. The placements consumer protection and advocacy with a com- org/media/1169/waterways-ombudsman-annual- path care and a range of environmental projects. will begin from February 2021. mercial outlook. report-2019-20.pdf. NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 14 15 Byline NABO’s Response to CRT

conditions pending these changes. tionality. CRT has been unable to NABO’s response to CRT We have highlighted an example of quantify the size of the problem it our findings at the bottom of our re- is trying to address, or to provide a This response was sent to CRT in December, titled ’NABO’s sponse and a more detailed review definition of ’genuine cruise’ or ’min- comments arising from CRT’s consultation on proposed of both Readability and GDPR has imal’ or ’repetitive’ in this context. changes to licence terms and conditions’ been sent to Tom Deards, Head of The reasoning given is: “to ensure all Governance. Moving on to the spe- boaters get fair access to the whole cific areas in the consultation that of their network, as presently some n September 2015 when CRT ited the consultation and their views cause us concern: boaters with a home mooring re- last changed its Terms and have not been recorded. Details of main in a small area, not returning Conditions. NABO made the the consultation were not even on Section A. Home Mooring to their home mooring, preventing I following comment: ’As an un- CRT’s website nearly two months af- Requirement to Cruise others access to mooring space.” This derlying principle, whilst existing ter it was launched and three weeks CRT is proposing that the following could best be addressed by the pro- legislation gives CRT some standing before it closed. is added to the end of clause 3.1 of vision of mooring spaces of varied it does not follow that the likes of In 2015 we drew the Trust’s at- the existing Terms and Conditions: durations in popular areas and the Section 43 of the 1962 Act can act as tention to the readability of the “The cruise must be a genuine cruise. enforcement thereof, which is avail- a catch-all to simply allow the CRT Terms and Conditions. We said: The Minimal or repetitive movement able under the existing legislation. to proceed as it sees fit. actual Terms and Conditions should along a short part of the Waterway or To obtain a licence, a boater has no The legislation is there to be fol- be written in words that users can Waterways without use of the Home choice but to agree to CRT’s Terms lowed, not adapted by CRT. We felt understand, otherwise it is an unfair Mooring (nominal use of which shall and Conditions. NABO strongly that the changes made warranted contract and self-defeating. Since be disregarded for these purposes) believes that boaters should not be further investigation and have con- 2015 time has moved on and pub- will not be accepted as a genuine sulted further with our legal advisors lic opinion is now only too aware cruise.” who have commented that some of of organisations that create a fog of This change appears to be an at- We believe that CRT is again the changes introduced are of ques- complicated contract documents tempt by CRT to extend its powers tionable legality.’ Now in 2020 we written by lawyers in a way that beyond the 1995 Act. There is no au- seeking powers to which it is not find ourselves writing to you again most customers cannot understand. thority in the 1995 Act for CRT to and detailing our concerns on sev- The existing and revised Terms and decide how a boat must travel in or- eral areas of the proposed changes. Conditions have much higher Flesch der to comply with the requirement entitled under the 1995 Act. We observe that CRT now re- Ease of Reading and Understanding to be used for proper navigation. gards the issue of licences as solely scores than is recommended. This The requirement is simply as per required to agree to terms that are a contractual matter rather than a could invariably lead to many of s17 (3) (c) (ii) of the 1995 Act – the not enforceable in law. duty to issue relevant consent to those at risk of enforcement action boat must not have remained con- Since 2015 when the Terms and perpetuate the right of navigation as a result of non-compliance being tinuously in one place for more than Conditions were revised for boats with the Conditions of s17 of the unable to understand the terms that 14 days, unless reasonable in the with a home mooring not one en- 1995 BW Act alone. CRT is unilat- they have been required to sign. particular circumstances. A boat forcement case has been made as erally imposing these T&Cs. Further We also have concerns that CRT remaining in a small area or not a result of this change in the sub- that CRT is moving enforcement of may be acting outside the terms of travelling a certain distance does not sequent 5 years. We would refer Byelaws from criminal law to civil the General Data Protection Act thus contravene the 1995 Act, which CRT to two legal cases that high- law by asserting contractual struc- (GDPR). We believe that the current appears to be what CRT is driving light the difficulties they will have ture to licencing. We believe that documents and the changes pro- at with the reasoning given for this in enforcing this further change: CRT is again seeking powers to posed are currently non-compliant change. NABO, supported by our Attorney-General v. Great Eastern which it is not entitled under the with GDPR as well as containing legal advisers, believes that CRT Railway Co. (1880) 5 App. Cas. 1995 Act. a mix of bad presentation and lack should be required to act in accord- 473, Lord Blackburn said, at p. 481: Taking the consultation as a of clarity. Lack of clarity is in itself ance with current legislation and not ’where there is an Act of Parliament whole we find it extremely user non-compliance. In our view CRT require boaters to agree to Terms creating a corporation for a particu- unfriendly. It is estimated to take should take immediate steps to and Conditions that exceed those lar purpose, and giving it powers for 40 minutes but there is no capac- ensure all its licensing documenta- required under the 1995 British that particular purpose, what it does ity to save your comments once you tion is GDPR compliant. It may be Waterways Act. not expressly or impliedly authorise have started, so many prospective sensible to halt the current consul- Quite apart from the legal aspect, is to be taken to be prohibited; ...’ respondents will have no doubt ex- tation on the proposed terms and there is the question of propor- This was cited with approval by the NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 16 17 NABO’s Response to CRT NABO’s Response to CRT

same House in the 1991 judgment in quirement....’ Navigation was originally said to be McCarthy & Stone v Richmond LBC, the most important aspect of CRT’s Boaters should not be required with all five Law Lords in unanimous Section B. Insurance obligations as confirmed in Clause agreement on the point. The com- We support the general requirement 2.1.1 in your Articles of Association. to agree to terms that are not ments of Judge Halbert in Canal and to declare insurance. We suggest The existing first sentence at 9.1 River Trust v Mayers: 6.3 ’However, there should be an option to submit should be reinstated. The proposed enforceable in law. neither the statutory regime in sub- documents by email. change seeks to widen the refund section 17(3) nor the guidelines can Confirmation that CRT main- policy in CRT’s favour. There are is- the angle of tumblehome perhaps deal with this problem. tain confidentiality of information sues with the existing wording that needs to be specified. A boat which has a home moor- passed to them and will maintain is carried through with the proposed F3 It should be made clear that ing is not required to be “bona fide” standards as required by the General changes – what for instance is an navigational dimensions will not used for navigation throughout the Data Protection Regulations should ’unforeseen event’ or a circumstance change but required craft dimen- period of the licence, but neither be explicitly set out with any chang- beyond their ’reasonable control’? sions may do from time to time. is it required to ever use its home es. In a similar way explicit provision An example of both would be use- F4 This clause needs to be rewrit- mooring. The Act requires that the that CRT will not sell or disclose ful for clarity. What happens for ten to the effect that all wide beam mooring is available; it does not say any information held to commer- instance if a particular area of the boats should have bow and stern cial parties should also be included. waterways becomes blocked off? fenders. In addition fenders should Appropriate security provisions for There is no right of challenge to be available to be deployed where There is no authority in the data should be clear in this and oth- refund as it stands or with the pro- there is a risk of collision with any er sections which ask for boaters’ posed revision. boat or canal infrastructure. Boats data. We suggest that change is needed should not cruise with fenders down. 1995 Act for CRT to decide to the existing wording to lay some Section C. Termination further definition down againstSection G. Change of Ownership how a boat must travel At C2 a proposed change of 28 days closures and emergencies and how Boaters should be able to submit for removal has been introduced these are to be dealt with. This would confirmation of the requested de- and we consider that this is poten- provide some balance of fairness to tails by email. it must be used. The guidelines also tially unduly onerous. licence holders. We further suggest have this effect. Perhaps ’28 days or within such that the D3 proposal should be: “save Section H. False Declarations The boat is still subject to the re- time as may be reasonable’ might for any damages arising from per- If a boater knowingly makes a false striction that it must not stay in the better cover all circumstances. sonal injury or death caused by our declaration then the usual route is same place for more than 14 days Any termination must take into ac- negligence, or any other damages litigation which if successful would but there is nothing whatever to stop count the licensing provisions of arising from statute that are prohib- normally lead to the licence being it being shuffled between two loca- the British Waterways 1995 Act. A ited from exclusion.” declared invalid. tions quite close together provided licence holder might not be in CRT’s Section E. Boat Safety Scheme We are concerned that CRT will they are far enough apart to consti- view observing ’genuine cruising’ use any ambiguity to its advantage. tute different places. however the termination could po- CRT should state the authority by Any ambiguity should in fact be in- If those who are causing the tentially be challenged as the boater which they can enter a boat with- terpreted in favour of the party that overcrowding at popular spots have might be cruising in line with the out a police warrant or court order. would suffer from it. We believe that home moorings anywhere in the provisions of the 1995 Act. There needs to be evidence of im- this proposed inclusion might ulti- country the present regime cannot mediate safety concern to warrant mately lead CRT to say it has rights control their overuse of the popular Section D. Obligation of entering a boat. Any inspection Refunds under the licence terms to act as it spots. Such an owner could cruise needs to be undertaken by a quali- sees fit where a false declaration has to and fro along the Kennet & Avon The proposed first two sentences fied Boat Safety Examiner. been determined. This action would canal near Bristol and the home at D1 are not acceptable or boater bypass some provisions in the Acts mooring could be in Birmingham friendly. We do not buy a licence to Section F. Wider or larger dimensioned boats (see for instance our concerns re- and totally unused. And 6.4 ’....It was moor in a pond. garding point A1 above). conceded on behalf of CRT in the “The Licence fee grants permission F2 More and more widebeams are In fact false representations can course of argument that if GDM ac- for the licensed boat to be present on being built with straight sides and be quite properly dealt with under quired a home mooring for Pearl, he Trust owned or managed Waterways. damage is being caused to bridge general civil procedure rules via would be left undisturbed provided The licence is not a guarantee of ac- arches. Maximum widths have to be standard litigation practice. There is he did not infringe the 14 day re- cess or availability of the Waterway.” reduced to take this into account or NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 18 19 NABO’s Response to CRT NABO’s Response to CRT

also no distinction as to seriousness as well as CRT. We suspect this may NABO believes that these principles must apply to all of them. We ex- of false representation (i.e. a ’minor’ be motivated by the desire to bring in amined three current documents and the new Terms text proposed by CRT, error or a flagrant safety disregard the ability to perform ’spot-checks’ using a proofing tool in the Microsoft Word programme. This tool pro- are potentially very different). If where there may be safety concerns vides common indices, such as sentence counts, Flesch Ease of Reading and CRT introduces such provision we with certain boats. We would ques- Flesch-Kincaid Grade scores. Our findings are summarised as follows: feel it would be better put in a guide- tion why this addition is necessary. Sentences Words per Flesch Reading Flesch-Kincaid line or separate paper as to how they Genuine abuse whether by a boater Sentence Ease Grade would expect to deal with any false to a Trust colleague or vice versa is Target below 20 Target above 60 Target below 9 declarations found, rather than in- properly a matter for the police. It is Current Terms 102 25.9 50.8 12.6 corporating this into the Terms & also covered under the current exist- Conditions of the licence itself. ing byelaws. We are concerned there Proposed new 70 24.1 50.0 12.1 is no right of appeal or indeed appeal Terms, 2020 Section I. Behaviour towards process which should be independ- Privacy Policy, 43 24.8 37.3 14.2 Trust colleagues ent of CRT. This clause regrettably is 2020 Judging by the issue explained by one sided and gives scope for it to be Schedule for 36 27.2 28.9 15.9 CRT, the motivation here is to give used for CRT’s own ends. Customers, another route to licence termination undated. as that is specifically mentioned in Conclusion the issue section. We are keen for the Trust to see the As can be seen, none of the three original documents scores a readabil- We do not believe the potential comments above as constructive ity level that can be understood by the general public. The proposed new loss of a licence is an appropriate criticism of the proposed changes to wording for the 2020 Terms shows no improvement in readability. This is penalty for accusations of this na- the current licence terms and con- very disappointing, given the number of times that the Trust has been made ture. If the situation was reversed ditions. We hope to hear from you the boater would expect it to be dealt shortly on the action that you pro- with by the appropriate authorities pose to take. Sentence word count. Target below 20. Sentence length affects the quality of understanding. More shorter sentences are better than a few long, complex sentences. A count of 15 to 20 words is effective for most technical communications. Does it make sense? CRT frequently uses sentences with word counts in the 20s and 30s, a significant barrier to readability.

Whilst considering CRT’s proposals things, the Act requires, under the Flesch Reading Ease. for amending its terms and condi- ’right to be informed’, that informa- The best text contains short words and sentences. The higher the Flesch tions, we realised just how wordy tion which the Trust provides must score, the more readable the document; between 60 and 70 is considered most of the licensing documenta- be concise, transparent, intelligible acceptable. tion is. and easily accessible. It must use Scores are commonly interpreted as: In fact, we believe that none of the clear and plain language. current documents, nor the changes There are five primary Trust doc- 70-80 easy to read proposed, meet a simple test for ease uments that make up the licensing 60-70 easily understood by 13-15 year old students of reading. documentation, namely: 30-50 difficult to read, best understood by A-level students We have drawn the Trust’s atten- Boat licence application form, 0-30 very difficult to read, best understood by university graduates tion to the readability of the Terms dated May 2018 The Trust’s recorded scores imply that users need a tertiary education to document before. The last time, in General Terms and Conditions understand the text. 2015, we said: ’The actual Terms for Boat Licences, dated February and Conditions should be written 2020 Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. in words that users can understand, Your Boat Licence Terms & This is equivalent to the US grade level of education. It shows the required otherwise it is an unfair contract and Conditions, issued in 2020 and level of education to be able to understand a text. A lower number is self-defeating.’ The Trust took no ac- containing the proposed changes more readable, the target being below 9. Text intended for general public tion over our complaint. Privacy Policy, dated September readership should aim for a grade level of around 8, schooling age 13 to 14. Since the 2015 Terms were draft- 2020 All of the Trust’s clauses have a level higher than this, with most in the 11 ed, the Data Protection Act 2018 Privacy Schedule for Customers, to 14 range. This is a barrier to readability. has come into force. Among other undated NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 20 21 CRT Terms and Conditions News aware of this problem. NABO therefore considers the documents are not fit CRT Council Boaters’ CRT online licensing for purpose and are not compliant with the Data Protection Act. Consequently, we considered some parts of the text in the documents reps try to get to grips problems and came up with alternative wording for four items. Here is just one exam- writes Helen Hutt ple, taken from the Privacy Policy. CRT’s wording is on the left, NABO’s on CRT has had to return a boat that had been the right, with the readability scores below: At our December meeting with CRT, we were seized by its subcontractors, Commercial Boat told that some amendments will be made to the Services, for not having a licence, because of an International transfers of personal data Transferring personal data overseas Terms and Conditions proposals, taking into ac- error made by its online licensing system. From time to time, the people or organisations We may be asked by partner organisations to count comments made by respondents—mostly The owner applied online for a 12-month with whom we share personal data may request share personal information with their operations regarding sections on home moorings and craft Rivers Only licence, paid for it, and was provided that we transfer personal data to their operations outside the UK. dimensions. Final proposals will be presented in with a correct receipt for the licence. However, outside the UK. On a case-by-case basis, we may We may do so if: January and T&Cs will be issued in April. CRT feels the CRT licensing system recorded this as a agree to such transfer of personal data to opera- The country is in EU. the response rate of 10%, 3000 people, was good 6-month Standard Canal and River Licence, tions in other EU countries and/or to countries The country has data protection laws accept- considering the topic, don’t accept that readability which happened to be the same price. This oc- which have data protection laws deemed accept- able to the EU. was an issue, but did take on board the difficulties curred twice. The discrepancy was central to able by the EU. For other countries, we will only We are satisfied, in the case of other coun- with the consultation process. Most other criti- CRT’s decision to seize the boat, as its computer agree to such transfers of personal data where tries, that the personal data will be protected. cisms and comments were batted away. system had wrongly flagged the boat as un- we are satisfied that the personal data will be An example of this would be by EU approved We also reviewed the London Management licensed when in fact the licence had six more sufficiently protected through measures such as standard contractual clauses. These clauses survey: a dozen Zoom sessions, involving 150+ months to run. This appears to be a systemic the EU approved standard contractual clauses in will be provided on request. people, mostly boaters,and 400 survey respons- problem with the CRT online licensing system. place between the data exporter and the data im- es. Issues raised were: lack of mooring space in The live-aboard owner’s solicitor commenced porter. Any standard contractual clauses which quieter areas; facilities; validity of data; more Judicial Review proceedings against CRT be- we put in place of export of the personal data will boats means greater security; and the growth in cause the boat was seized without obtaining a be available from us on request. widebeam numbers. Suggestions include charg- court order, which is unlawful if a boat is used ing for some services, bookable moorings, fixed as a home. The Human Rights Act 1998 entitles charges, more short-stay moorings and banning people to have the proportionality of removing Sentences Words per Flesch Reading Flesch-Kincaid triple mooring. Findings from this survey will be their home assessed by an independent court Sentence Ease Grade presented to Boaters’ reps on 27th January. and to defend themselves in a fair trial. CRT had Target below 20 Target above 60 Target below 9 claimed that the boat was not the owner’s home CRT Privacy 4 31.7 35.3 16.2 and that there was no evidence that he lived in Policy 2020 Anglian pass coming it. However, he lives in a pair of boats of which the motor boat is his only means of complying NABO 2020 6 11.1 57.8 7.9 The EA, the Conservators of the River Cam and with boat movement requirements. The solici- the Middle Level Commissioners are working to- tor argued that the boat had a valid licence and gether to develop an ’Anglian Pass’ that will allow In December 2020, NABO wrote to CRT about this ongoing problem, was an essential part of his home, and that it had annual unrestricted navigation across the River highlighting several areas that need urgent action. We emphasised that sig- moved in accordance with CRT’s requirements. Nene, the Great Ouse system, the Middle Level nificant improvements in readability can be made with very limited effort, A claim form should have been issued, giving the Navigation and the River Cam. Available from and without impact on legal meaning. In our view, CRT should take im- owner the opportunity to defend himself in court 1st April each year. Boaters will still be able to mediate steps to ensure that all its licensing documentation is presented in against the removal of the boat. purchase short-term visitor registrations to ac- a way that the general public can understand. We even offered to assist in CRT returned the boat to the owner on the cess the EA and Middle Level waters. reviewing the new documents and suggested it may be sensible to halt the River Lea free of charge, paying for craning and current consultation on the proposed terms and conditions pending these road haulage from Chester. The National Bargee changes. We await a proper response! CRT licence fee increase Travellers Association was involved in support- ing the boat owner and NABO recommends that all boaters, upon purchase, check their licence Private and business boat licence fees will rise confirmation against their online account re- by 2% from 1st April 2021. The Trust will then cord. If in any doubt, under the Data Protection continue the phased introduction of additional Act you can request copies of all the information pricing bands for boats over 2.16m (7ft 1in) wide, that CRT currently holds on you. which will be subject to an additional 5%, on top bargee-traveller.org.uk/crt-returns-seized-boat- of the 2% annual rise. after-threat-of-legal-action

NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 22 23 News BSS finances David Fletcher looks into the numbers

uring 2020, the manager are training programmes from time It can be seen that the income is of the Trust. NABO is active on all the BSS committees: of the Boat Safety Scheme to time and these attract a fee to about £620,000 and this is equiva- So the big control- Mike Rodd is the (BSS) proposed to increase cover the costs. lent to examinations of about 16,000 lable elements are representative on the D the fee payable for an ex- In the various BSS committees, boats and registration fees from 150 the number of staff Technical Committee. amination. there was some discussion around examiners. The annual income goes and what is spent Alison Tuck has sat on The fees had previously been held members feeling unable to endorse up and down due to the number of on external support. the Advisory Committee for eight years. As boaters, we pay these new figures when they had no boats changing each year. This is be- Decisions on these for a number of years and the examiner every four years, about sight of the accounts, which have cause there are historic peaks when issues are a large part will be replaced by Peter £200, depending on the boat and previously been open only to the the scheme started and when new of the work of the BSS Braybrook in 2021. David how much travel is involved. Part of scheme owners, CRT and the EA. areas, such as the Broads, joined the manager. The scheme Fletcher is chairman of the Technical this goes to the BSS to pay to register So it was agreed that the accounts scheme. has to operate to pro- Committee and attends the certificate. This is the main in- would be made public. They can be There are two main cost centres vide the day-to-day Advisory Committee and come for BSS to operate the scheme. found on the BSS website at www. that cover the expenditure - staff services for examin- Management Committee This amount was proposed to go up boatsafetyscheme.org/about-us/ cost and professional fees. Staff ers, boaters and the meetings. in 2020 from £36 to £43 (plus VAT). governing-the-bss/bss-finances. are employed through the CRT navigation authorities Examiners also pay an annual regis- What have we learnt? The figures staff systems and treated in the in completing around 16,000 ex- tration fee, which went up this year below are for the year ended 31 same way. Staff are generally long- aminations. And then it has to look from £115 to £169 (plus VAT). There March 2019. term and the costs are predictable. ahead at the ever-changing safety Professional fees cover the addition- and technical aspects of engineering Published results for 2018/19 al work carried out for the scheme standards and boat safety. Executive Profit and loss accounts Plan Actual by contractors, consultants, training control of all this is with the BSS, but bodies, research bodies and the like the committees provide guidance on Payroll Costs 261,972.11 260,065.95 - in fact anything routine or special- priorities both short-term and long- Staff Related Costs 12,854.44 13,472.43 ised that is not carried out by staff. term. It is by control of this work area that So, this year where is the money People Costs 1,509.38 1,619.58 the budget is adjusted year by year. being spent? First, there is a big Materials & Contract 2,730.26 2,906.77 The BSS operates in the CRT fi- push to increase the number of ex- Other Utilities 3,000.00 2,289.17 nancial system, and has to close out aminers. About 10% retire each year the budget at the year end, and can- and a new induction scheme will be Mobile Phones 840.09 928.62 not carry over profit or loss year to run in 2021 to increase the number Meeting Costs 3,128.66 3,457.46 year. The final number is balanced in available. All existing examiners will Stationery & Printing 14,000.00 9,762.13 the CRT finances. You can see that get the same re-training; this is to the scheme underspent by some ensure that examiner behaviour is Postage 5,500.00 3,640.10 £9,800 in the year shown and this is consistent and that the best prac- Subscriptions 1,926.26 2,111.57 the usual situation, a small under- tice is available to all. Then there is IT Costs 14,000.00 11,706.00 spend, it being impossible to meet a need to review the requirements the budget to a pound. There is no for commercial boats, workboats, Professional Fees 278,500.00 297,427.90 evidence that the scheme is arranged hotel boats, trading boats and ten- Non-Operational Costs 1,090.71 695.81 to provide funding to CRT. But CRT anted boats. These have slipped and the EA expects BSS to be fund- behind other categories and are still Other Costs 68.39 263.89 ed from examination fees recovered operating on requirements for 2005. External Income 601,000.00 620,147.62 from users. There are lots of small This project will take several years. Total Controllable Costs 600,621.70 610,347.38 business costs here that are mainly Another item that needs attention incurred through CRT, which pro- this year is consideration of a re- Balance 378.30 9,800.24 vides services as with any other part quirement for smoke alarms. NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 24 25 Boating Talking Points Sustainable propulsion - Old Bore’s Almanac alternatives to diesel engines Paul Monahan sets out Old Bore’s predictions for the coming year as foreseen in a bowl of cloudy diesel January July The canal will freeze over. CRT will issue an emergency A sensational story in the waterways media: A boat is The full letter can stoppage notice advising that, since the water is cold, seen to move in London! The EA’s double yellow lines be found at www. Further to the report of the A proposed boat engine scrap- waterways.org.uk/wp- November meeting of The All- page scheme to encourage all boating must stop ‘until further notice’. Towpath us- were painted by contractors, but the EA is unaware that content/uploads/2020/11/ Party Parliamentary Group for the conversion of existing boats; and ers will be advised that towpaths may be slippery, so the lines were also painted on all lock lay-bys. All wait- Letter-from-Michal- Waterways (NABO News, December A move towards greater distri- they should wrap up warmly, but stay at home unless it ing at locks is therefore now prohibited. A swing bridge Fabricant-MP-to-Rishi- 2020), on the subject of sustainable bution and use of biofuels. This is essential to go outside. fails on the Leeds & Liverpool. Sunak-MP-271120.pdf propulsion, Michael Fabricant MP, step is favoured, over the cur- wrote to the Chancellor. rent proposal by HMRC and HM February August His letter focused on three key Treasury, to move from red die- Somewhere in the country, flooding will occur. CRT will Water shortages occur throughout the canal system – issues: sel to white for inland waterways open let-off paddles on the long pounds but find that, ‘Rainfall at the wrong time’ is blamed. Natural England The need to invest in infrastruc- craft. owing to lack of maintenance, they cannot close them. claims the warm weather has ‘enhanced growth of rare ture to deliver more electric Reservoirs will be lowered ‘to ensure public safety’. weeds’ and boat movement must be banned. A swing charging points across the sys- Water shortages will occur later in the year. bridge fails on the Leeds & Liverpool. tem; March September Peter Braybrook offers a response: Articles will appear in the waterways press announc- Confusion at Hillmorton as volunteers insist that the cruisers’ would only run about two hours a day, ing the start of the ‘boating season’. CRT will announce towpath-side locks must be used for uphill boats only I think I am going to become an ostrich! Where including their compulsory 14-day cruise to the that several major stoppages will overrun until April. and the outside locks for downhill traffic only ‘to save is any sense of reason? next 'place'. National media run a story about how cheap and easy water and speed up traffic’. CRT announces that on- I am 71; in 2030 I will be 80 if the Lord does Boating as a leisure pursuit is expensive as it it is to live on a boat in London. line bookings are now required for all lock flights and not call me before then. My boat is 36 years old is, without having to install a new electrical sys- tunnels ‘to improve the customer experience’. A swing now, so will be 46 in 2030; the engine is 12 years tem and traction batteries. Doing it on new boats April bridge fails on the Leeds & Liverpool. older than that. I am only interested in a scrap- might be possible, but I think retro-fitting would Early in the month, the overrunning stoppages will be page scheme if it covers the whole boat. be impossible in the majority of cases. further extended until May. A balance beam will fall off October Even in a good cruising year, the engine only Perhaps, by then, CRT will have returned to a gate; it will be said to be due to ‘lack of use over The waterways media carry articles on ‘laying-up your runs for about 400 hours, equivalent to about Parliament to present the Canal and River Trust winter’. Towards mid-month, the Rochdale Canal will boat for winter’. A secret warehouse discovered near an hour’s commute for most diesel cars, most of (Wellbeing and Conservation) Bill, proposing open throughout for the first time this year. Chester contains 50,000 large bright-blue signs, each that at very low revs, approximately 1200 - 1600 the abolition of the right of navigation by other showing a half-sunken lavatory seat and the slogan, rpm. I don't think I am unusual. than electric boats. May ‘Life Was Better by Water’. CRT warns that the days are What is the problem? Even ‘continuous Rant over. At the beginning of the month, the Rochdale Canal will becoming shorter and the weather may be cold. close again. Towards the end of the month, another lock gate on a popular canal will fail – allegedly caused by November ‘boater damage’. Warnings of water shortages. A video Manchester City Council declares that the undercroft solid fuels. The changes will be phased in with sales appears on YouTube about living for free on a boat in at Piccadilly Lock on the Rochdale is a cultural hub Fuel for solid-fuel stoves of small volumes of wet wood being phased out by London. A swing bridge fails on the Leeds & Liverpool. and awards a performing-arts grant to the regular in- Defra has published its intentions over solid fu- 2022 and sales of traditional house coal by 2023. habitants. CRT announces the end of all water usage els, coal and wood, which are proposed to become Stoves are not banned and these policies do not seek June restrictions but imposes a blanket winter stoppage ‘to the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) The EA announces that parking meters are to be in- to prevent their installation or use. The intention is to reduce wear on canal infrastructure’! (England) Regulations 2020, coming into force on 1st stalled at popular mooring locations on the Thames ensure that people move away from burning more May 2021. and double yellow lines will be painted along both polluting fuels to less polluting fuels December banks. The Rochdale canal opens but closes later the Sustrans and IWA demand that towpath walkers must The Regulations will phase out the supply of tradi- Details are available at www.gov.uk/government/ tional house coal for domestic combustion and wet consultations/air-quality-using-cleaner-fuels- same day as a culvert has collapsed. This is blamed on give way to cyclists, and safety fences should be in- wood sold in units of up to 2m3, and introduce sul- for-domestic-burning/outcome/summary-of- ‘boater damage’. A swing bridge fails on the Leeds & stalled at all bridges. CRT advises that it may be dark phur and smoke emission limits for manufactured responses-and-government-response. Liverpool. at night.

NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 26 27 Boating

ently is regarded as sufficient. that this has affected the stoppages Time and the River Nene Our River Nene guide pointed too. But to be paying so much for a out that: “the river often winds its licence that we could not use for so Anne Husar has a few nasty surprises when returning to this lovely river course through wonderfully unspoilt many months of the year, along with areas” and it was indeed wonderful the reduction in maintenance and to find that this was still true. We did facilities, was a nasty surprise. however have no recollection from The following year we faced an in- rriving back from Europe too had been removed, notably at our previous visit of how incred- flation busting 7.5% increase for the with our narrowboat in Rushden and Diamonds and also ibly narrow some of the navigation same licence but, as far as we knew, March 2017, we were at Titchmarsh and Midsummer has become. Trees that had either no increase in spending was planned A put back in the water at Meadow. The tap at Mills Road fallen or spread had been allowed to improve navigation for boaters on Wisbech and prepared to re-visit Bridge was impossible to turn on to block much of the river in places, the Nene or even to bring it back to the Nene using our seven-year-old and the one at Wadenhoe so over- so that it was now not much more the ’heady’ days of 2010. There had Imray guide. grown with paint-threatening spiky than the width of our narrowboat. however been a welcome increase in This had last done service in 2012 hawthorn that that too was realisti- Vegetation too was in abundance, the provision of moorings, not from when we made the journey down- cally a no-go. No new facilities had adding to the navigational difficul- the boaters’ licence fees to the EA stream to a lift-out at Wisbech on been provided, so yet more crossing- ties, especially if there happened to but from a group of volunteers, the our way to European waterways out had to be done to update our be a speedy cruiser coming the other Friends of the River Nene. once again. It was an interesting guide. way. Neither boat would be able to For the princely sum of £10 a year, exercise to look at some of the dif- There were two shoals mentioned see each other or have room to pass, boaters using the river can plan to ferences in navigating the Nene in our guide, surely those had been with all this not-so-wonderful ver- enjoy overnight stays on their well- between then and now. dealt with by now, or at least regular- dant abundance. spaced moorings. With more being The network of Friends of EA moorings had never been nu- ly dredged? Surprisingly, or perhaps Planning to stop on the Nene added every year, the hope is that the River Nene moorings merous, although our Imray guide not judging by what we were find- for a year or so, we applied for a their efforts will not be in vain and www.friendsoftherivernene.co.uk did write optimistically that more ing, they were both still there. The full year’s EA licence. The cost, we that the EA will do more to support were planned, so what did we find shallows upstream of Perio lock were surprised to find, was becom- navigation on the Nene five years on? Yes, there were now continued to be renowned for catch- ing comparable with a CRT licence, rather than continue two short-stay pontoons that were ing out many boats, as the deepest even though this only covered us to neglect it. not mentioned in our guide, but water is now to be found in a very for just two rivers on the EA’s wa- Overhanging vegetation on these were offset by the loss of three narrow, convoluted channel indeed. terways, as opposed to a complete the River Nene moorings at Titchmarsh, Wansford The buoys marking them are moved system on the canals. Oh well, grit Photo: Peter Fellows and Midsummer Meadow. Facilities around occasionally and this appar- teeth and at least enjoy outings through the year on this lovely river. Wrong again, stoppages often closed any downstream navigation to us for months at a time, cutting off access to the other river we had paid for, as well as half of the Nene. Now I realise that, being a river, it will be closed to navigation whenever there is a need for flood relief and

NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 28 29 Talking Points

We have also noticed more support Waterways Chaplaincy has been needed for those who have been bereaved; the closure of attend- Peter Braybrook explains how this organisation helps boaters in need. ance at a funeral, with the associated support of friends and family, has been denied to many. If you or someone you know Wherever you are, you he Waterways Chaplaincy internet access. One boater had lost is facing additional challenges in can contact a chaplain is a growing network of his job the moment lockdown start- through the website these strange times, you do not need contact form at www. around 100 volunteers serv- ed and lived off savings for a couple to do it alone. The tagline of the waterwayschaplaincy. T ing the Inland Waterways of weeks. But when these ran out Waterways Chaplaincy is ’coming org.uk/contact-us. from York to Woking and Llangollen and his overdraft reached its limit, it alongside you’. We may not be able to the Wash. was noticed that he was not eating to alleviate all the problems that you I am based in Banbury on the properly and had fallen behind with face but we will confidentially listen, South Oxford Canal and cover mooring fees. He could not afford a advocate, support, refer and medi- from Oxford to Napton Junction. smartphone or even credit on his an- ate. If we cannot help, we know a But we are not parochial and I have tiquated pay-as-you-go mobile. Help man who can! served boaters on the Grand Union was given to access Universal Credit and Thames, and even one on the via a laptop and a dongle from under Huddersfield Narrow! Although a an umbrella, at social distance in the ministry of the Christian church, we open air. He was also referred to the are there for everybody of all faiths local food bank and Citizens Advice Alternative lock gate materials or none. We are pastorally proactive Bureau to help deal with his debt Helen Hutt reports the response to a question put at the last CRT Council meeting. and evangelically reactive, which crisis. Others have been helped to means that we will not push our access moorings and CRT’s licence faith onto anybody, but will share renewal system for similar reasons. Q. What research have we done into using com- materials. The EA is installing a set of FRP gates our story where we are given the op- Chaplains have access to a hard- posite materials to construct lock gates and are on a dry dock on the Thames at Sunbury for peo- portunity to encourage and to bring ship fund and can offer food, coal/ there any plans to use alternative materials? ple to learn from, and we believe Scottish Canals the hope that we have found in our fuel and essential repairs. We will aid A. We have researched composite materi- are also close to installing a set. However, there is own lives. access to medical centres and hospi- als and would like to trial alternative materials, a concern over the unknown effect of using FRP The Waterways Chaplaincy’s dis- tals, assist with shopping, assist with in particular fibre reinforced polymers (FRP), in terms of potential microplastic issues. The EA tinctive primary focus is to reach moving boats, and have even helped which have successfully been used in Europe. trial will provide valuable information on this out to people in need on our rivers to transport dehumidifier chemicals Our current Heritage standards would pre- and other issues with the new materials. and canals. We support the increas- needed to dry out a leaking boat. clude the use of such material, but the Heritage We have recently developed and trialled a ing number of boaters who are Some of our long-term clients Standard is currently being reviewed and this new design of long-lasting steel composite gate; ’signposted’ to us. This could be by have had to isolate or shield them- may result in us being able to trial alternative comprising a steel gate, with wood heel and head CRT, through licence support of- selves and we have had to support posts (the use of steel combined with ficers or the welfare officer, or from some over the telephone or by text. wood is not new and many already marina and boatyard staff who are Increased footfall on the towpaths exist across the waterways, but the concerned about somebody. We at mooring sites has also caused new gates have been designed to last also support boaters in need who anxiety. Lockdown has brought a in excess of 50 years). Compared to are identified by other boaters, con- substantial increase in concern over the existing oak lock gates, the new cerned for someone they have come people’s mental health and wellbe- design reduces the volume of wood across. ing. Chaplains are trained to listen required and, due to an extended The Covid-19 pandemic and the and can often ease the stresses of asset life, reduces the mobilisation associated lockdowns have seen a mental troubles. Around the coun- of heavy equipment to replace gates national rise in hardship. This has try, we have seen a huge increase in every 25 years. The first set of gates affected the waterways community serious suicidal thoughts, anxiety was installed in 2019 on the K&A, at too. We have helped boaters who and depression. Isolation and the Picketsfield Lock near Hungerford, have been unable to access essential inability to keep on the move have and a second set is being installed at benefits because they do not have added to the stresses of daily life. Lock 9 on the River Lee. NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 Composite lock gate being trialled at Picketsfield LockPhoto: CRT NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 30 31 Byline Have Your Say Rewind Letters to the Editor Opinions expressed here are independent of NABO policy and Issue No 6, 2005 statements made have not been verified as true Howard Anguish explores NABO News from 15 years ago

VIEWS INLAND NAVIGATION ISSUES, NEWS, AND First, a Happy New Year to every- to an increased awareness about this CRT licensing consultation out, if you get so far then save it for later you will one and let’s hope for better things very serious problem. I remember discover it has disappeared! So for the next at- in 2021. that WFRS presented their cam- I’m unable to complete the consultation as my tempt I gave myself plenty of time and it needs NABO’s response to BW licence paign message to many boat clubs only means is via my iPhone! However, I would a good 40 minutes as was stated. I consider my- consultation—loyalty payments and organisations, including a pres- suggest that we agree with any condition, provid- self an intelligent and well-educated person, but & pensioner discounts NABO entation to NABO at the AGM later ing it does not break the law and does not try to I could not fathom many of the questions as sets out details of its responses to in 2006 at Stourbridge. contravene the various acts of parliament relat- they just did not make sense either in what they the White Paper Consultation with 2006 NABO cruise – Manchester ing to canals, bearing in mind Halsbury’s Rules meant or in their purpose. The ones that had a many constructive but, at times, Ship Canal There is mention of the of English Law, Volume 44. These are the rules purpose were so worded as to obviously promote critical observations, and with mis- 2006 cruise in company, which will that judges and courts refer to when guidance the Terms and Conditions. is needed. Few lawyers know or use these rules is VITAL givings about the outcomes in a take on the Manchester Ship Canal NABO summed it up admirably in its find- •Fee Questionnaire - your input space when representing boaters. •Raft out s’il vous plait - save mooring number of areas. It was interesting from Ellesmere Port to Manchester, ing of many shortcomings that are a mix of bad price hike •Q & A with BW on moorings to see mention of loyalty and pen- staying overnight at Salford Quays Boaters need to know that the 1971, 1983 and presentation, hard to read wording, lack of clar- sioner discounts for fees. I wonder before ascending Pomona Lock onto 1995 British Waterways Acts are Local or Private ity, and non-compliance with the General Data 2006 Issue 1 February what happened to those. the Bridgewater Canal. Acts of Parliament. This is to be distinguished Protection Regulations. NABO membership survey on li- Trip on Humber Princess As a post- from a private member’s Bill/Act which is some- It was all a cobbled-up mess, obviously slapped cence fee consultation The ongoing script to Stuart Sampson’s articles thing entirely different. together by different people at different times, as consultation and discussion about on his cross-country voyage on Lady Regarding the interpretation of Private Acts, NABO suggested. And I would add, if the actu- mooring fees continued with a com- Galadriel, he describes a trip on the Paragraph 1497 states: ’Where there is any real al wording of the questions is anything to go by, prehensive survey published in large tank barge, Humber Princess, doubt as to its meaning, a Private Act must by people of varying intellect. It all looks rather NABO News. Because the propos- from Knostrop (near Leeds) on her be construed strictly against the promoters. worrying for us boaters. als from BW were so far-reaching, return run to Immingham after de- It follows that, as between the promoters and T. Lang it was thought to be important that livering 500 tons or so of gas oil. She members of the public, a Private Act shall be narrowboatworld.com 11 December 2020 NABO properly represented the was returning for another load of ei- construed liberally in favour of the public, so that collected views of members during ther gas oil or petrol and Stuart was 1) clauses to preserve general rights will be wide- any submissions. The survey was impressed with the quiet efficiency ly interpreted…’ Braunston Stop House extensive and the accompanying of this service and the skill of the This means that, where there is a dispute be- As a volunteer at the Welcome Station in the instructions for individuals when crew. I can vouch for this as many tween the promoter (CRT) and the individual, Stop House, Braunston, I am letting you know completing the form were detailed years later I had a similar trip on the court should interpret the legislation liberally that CRT has announced that, as the Stop House and helpful. Watch this space in fu- Humber Princess from Doncaster in favour of the public, i.e. the defendant. In oth- will not be re-opening, we will probably not be ture Rewinds to see what effect the to Rotherham when she was deliver- er words, when CRT terminates a boat licence requiring any further publicity info. from NABO. responses had on the final outcome. ing around 550 tons of lube on one because the boater is not cruising according to It would appear that CRT also proposes to re- Q&A between NABO & BW Head of her weekly runs. Shortly after- CRT’s interpretation of Section 17 (3) c ii (the duce Area Office numbers from the 20s down to of Boating There was an interesting wards, she was withdrawn from this Mooring Guidance for Continuous Cruisers), 11. I don’t think CRT realises the importance of exchange of views, with the latter run, which is now done by her sister the court should rule that CRT cannot enforce said offices to the boating fraternity for support defending BW’s proposed mooring barge Humber Pride. its own interpretation of the law. Brian D Jarrett (Acknowledging NBTA) and assistance, as well as promotion to the gen- fee increases – not surprising I sup- You say NABO, I say NABBO… eral public. This is aside from the iconic value of pose! A letter from Stephen Peters raises the Stop House in the history of the Waterways! Fire safety campaign An arti- the subject of how to pronounce the NABO News back issues T&Cs consultation a ’cobbled-up mess’ And bang goes my niche as a volunteer! cle raises the subject of fire safety name of this organisation – NAYBO, Helen Tinley are available online and introduces the initiative by NABBO, NARBO – I’m sure most As one of the boaters who eventually managed to at nabo.org.uk/index. Warwickshire Fire and Rescue members have heard them all at one php/reference/nn-back- complete that consultation form for the change issues-2 Service (WFRS) – the Boat Fire time or another, and opinion is still in CRT’s licensing Terms and Conditions, I agree Safety Check Scheme – which led divided! entirely with what NABO says. As was pointed NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 NABO News Issue 1 February 2021 For all your chandlery needs

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Nabo News Sept 2020.indd 1 07/09/2020 13:22:18