enjoying safer boating

Staying safe on Anglian Waterways Safety guide We are the Environment Agency. It’s our job to look after your environment and make it a better place – for you, and for future generations. Your environment is the air you breathe, the water you drink and the ground you walk on. Working with business, Government and society as a whole, we are making your environment cleaner and healthier. The Environment Agency. Out there, making your environment a better place.

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Environment Agency Kingfisher House Goldhay Way, Orton Goldhay , PE2 5ZR Tel: 0870 8506506 Email: [email protected] www.environment-agency.gov.uk

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All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced with prior permission of the Environment Agency. Introduction Rivers can be both fun and General principles of responsibility dangerous. This booklet is designed • When navigating on a river, people to illustrate how river activities can must accept they are dealing with be enjoyed with minimum risk if flowing water. these simple guidelines on safety are • Boaters must be self-reliant and followed. responsible for their own safety. • The decision to navigate must be This safety booklet forms part of taken by the boat skipper. a series of guides which contain • It is the responsibility of the boat information about the Rivers Nene, skipper to be properly equipped for Welland, Glen, Ancholme, Great Ouse the type of boating undertaken. and Stour. Each River Guide contains • When there are strong currents, specific information on: higher river levels or cold weather Locks conditions, the risk associated with Facilities any river activity increases. Marinas • Be courteous and always navigate Speed limits with care and avoid speeding. Moorings • Do not take risks and never Bridge headroom clearances underestimate the power of the river. A booklet is also produced, which contains all the relevant Navigation Byelaws for the Anglian Region.

Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways 1 Contents

Introduction ...... 1 Safety at locks ...... 12 General safety tips when boating ....3 Specific advice for non-powered craft ...... 13 Before setting off ...... 3 Canoeing ...... 13 Once aboard ...... 3 Rowing and sculling ...... 13 When underway ...... 4 Sailing ...... 14 Anchoring and mooring ...... 5 Dinghy racing ...... 14 An introduction to using locks ...... 5 Regulations ...... 15 A special note on the River Nene locks ...... 7 Registration and licensing ...... 15 Lock Wheel Operation ...... 8 Boat safety scheme ...... 16 Low bridges and other structures ....9 Navigation byelaws ...... 16 Learn how to cope if an accident Useful contacts ...... 17 should occur ...... 9 The dangers ...... 10 Weirs are dangerous areas ...... 10 Water levels ...... 10 Reversed locks ...... 10 Strong Stream Advice ...... 10

2 Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways General safety tips when boating Before setting off Once aboard Before you set off, follow a few simple • Use suitable footwear with non-slip safety tips... soles and never run around deck. • Use the grab rails when you walk • Check your boat is in good around deck, even when moored. condition and meets safety • Lifejackets or buoyancy aids standards. should be worn by children and • Check you have lifebelts, an non-swimmers at all times and emergency light and a first-aid kit by everybody in adverse weather as an absolute minimum. conditions, or when alone on deck. • Make sure you and your crew know • On some boats children can be out how to handle the boat. of sight; they often sit in dangerous • Get local information before going positions and a sharp turn, change onto unfamiliar waterways. of speed or wash from another boat • Plan your cruise and allow enough can toss them into the water. Make time to complete it without rushing. sure that children are always in a • Do not cruise at night, in the dark safe place. or when visibility is poor. • Take care on landing stages and • Make a visual check on river around locks at all times but flows. If in doubt over high flows, especially in wet conditions, as telephone our Floodline Number surfaces can be slippery. (Rivers Nene, Great Ouse and Ancholme only) on 0845 9881188 (for more information see Page 11).

Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways 3 When underway Think ahead. Slow down and check Speeding is dangerous and illegal. For your wash when: river speed limits, please refer to the • There are moorings ahead Waterway Byelaws booklet. Accidents • There are small craft, swimmers or occur more frequently at high speeds, anglers particularly from that speed • The channel ahead narrows creates. Unlike a car, a boat will not Do not let time rule your journey, relax ‘stop in seconds’ and therefore needs and enjoy the trip. It is an offence to a longer stopping time, especially navigate without care and caution, when travelling downstream, when or in a manner likely to endanger the control over the boat is less. safety of others, or damage the banks All moving vessels make wash. of the river. Excessive wash can: Keep a sharp lookout for anglers, who • Endanger people normally fish from the bank and try • Damage moored vessels to keep a good distance from them. • Harm wildlife Avoid their tackle and create as little • Cause accidents in galleys of disturbance as possible. moored craft • Swamp small craft When sailing boats are near, maintain • Damage river banks a slow steady course but be prepared • Interfere with angling to give way to avoid collision. In times of little or no wind a sailing boat has Keep a frequent check on your wash. almost no control and it will be up to Due to differing shapes, some boats you to avoid it. make more wash than others. Even at a slow speed, your wash will be increased when in convoy. Resist the temptation to keep in a convoy at the speed limit if the resultant wash is too great. It is often sensible to stop briefly to allow your wash to settle to an acceptable level.

4 Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways In the vicinity of events, take advice An introduction to using locks from officials or marshals. Sailing There are over 65 Environment Agency races are usually held round a series of locks in the Anglian Region. Boaters, buoys, and vessels should avoid these especially those new to the rivers, turning marks. There may be congestion should make sure they know how near sailing clubs when dinghies to operate and use locks correctly. gather to race. This should clear within Children should not be allowed to minutes. Motorised craft should be operate any lock and should be prepared to stop and when clear, supervised at all times. proceed at a slow and steady pace. The majority of locks in the Region If in convoy, ensure that there is have steel or wooden pointing ample space between each boat to doors (also known as mitre or ‘vee’ allow good vision ahead and room to doors) and vertical steel gates manoeuvre. (known as guillotine gates). On some locks guillotine gates are powered When near rowing craft, remember (electrically operated), whilst others that the crew of an uncoxed boat has will require manual winding. Keys a problem keeping a lookout ahead, are required to operate locks on and even a cox may have a limited the River Nene, Great Ouse and the field of vision. Ancholme, because the vertical gates Anchoring and mooring have security locks. Keys can be When stopping overnight, or leaving purchased from some marinas or by the craft for any appreciable length of contacting 08456 031 043 (Please time, do not moor in shallow water, ask for the Anglian Navigation Licence or with a tight rope or chain, as water and Registration Department). A may fluctuate by as much as one windlass is also required to operate metre in a few hours. If the level drops the paddles in the mitre doors. and a craft is beached or moored in Windlasses are available from boat shallow water, it may be damaged. If yards and chandlers. the level rises, and mooring ropes or Please note, when navigating the chains are tight, the launch may take Nene always leave locks with the on water, be pulled under or even pointing doors closed and the vertical break free. gate raised, secured and locked. Always ensure there is ample water below your keel and sufficient vertical play on any mooring rope or chain.

Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways 5 When doors/gates are open on • When water levels have equalised approach: open the mitre doors / guillotine • Enter lock slowly and moor up, gate fully in the direction of travel. ensuring an adult has control of the • Make sure that any paddles (if head and stern mooring lines. present) are closed ready for the • Make sure that the guillotine next user before leaving the lock gate, mitre doors and paddles (if chamber slowly and safely. present) are closed. Should these • Narrow boats in particular, should be left open, the flow through the be fitted with side fenders to avoid lock chamber when in operation the boat settling into safety chains will be greatly increased making which run alongside the lock. it difficult to maintain control of When doors/gates are closed on your craft. approach: • According to the direction of travel, • Moor on the landing stage provided open the paddles in the mitre and check that all doors, gates and doors or lift the guillotine gate a paddles (if present) are closed. few centimetres slowly. Take into Should these be left open, the flow account the consideration of other through the lock chamber when in boats. Great care should be taken operation will be greatly increased when opening the guillotine gate, making it difficult to maintain and if water flows into or out of the control of your craft. lock pen too quickly close the gate • Fill the lock following the and start again. procedures outlined above. Take • Whoever is controlling the boat particular care to fill the lock pen at mooring lines should maintain a a slow rate. taut line, as water levels change. • When water levels have equalised Make sure that the boat does not open the mitre doors / guillotine snag on the lock during emptying gates fully to allow entry into the and that the boat does not drift lock and follow the procedures close to the lock doors. Several outlined above for lock use. locks, particularly on the Nene, can have water flowing over the mitre doors, which could be a hazard to a boat that is not properly controlled during mooring.

6 Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways A special note on River Nene locks Lock security - vertical gate The following warning notice is displayed at manually operated locks with guillotine gates on the Nene.

DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO Insert the abloy key and turn clockwise OPERATE LOCK MACHINERY. ALWAYS GRIP LOCK OPERATING HANDLE FIRMLY BEFORE RELEASING THE SLIDING LOCK-BOLT WITH KEY. ALWAYS MAINTAIN A FIRM GRIP ON THE OPERATING HANDLE WHILST RAISING OR LOWERING THE GUILLOTINE GATE. Pull out to release the lock barrel, this will release the spring loaded sliding DO NOT OVER-WIND (OR FORCE) THE OPERATING HANDLE WHEN THE lockbolt and allow the handle to turn GATE IS EITHER FULLY UP OR DOWN, AS WHEN UNLOCKED THE OPERATING HANDLE COULD SPIN AND STRIKE THE USER. ENSURE BOAT IS POSITIONED AWAY FROM WATER FLOWING OVER THE POINTING DOORS. Please report any problems When the gate is either fully raised encountered to the or lowered, re-lock the winding Environment Agency on - gear by relocating the slide bolt, 0800 80 70 60 while holding the slidebolt with the thumb, push in and relock the abloy lock barrel. Remove the key. On electrically operated gates simply use the abloy key to open the control box and press the appropriate buttons, ensuring that the pointing ‘V’ doors are properly closed before lifting the gate and that the gate is fully raised and the control box relocked when passage is complete.

Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways 7 lock - wheel operation At certain lock sites on the Rivers Nene and Great Ouse lock winding wheels have been fitted to improve the safety of users. Should you encounter any difficulties call us on 0800 80 70 60. These are operated in the following manner:

To unlock the wheel When the gate is either fully raised Insert the Abloy key turn clockwise or lowered and release the lock barrel. The spring Re-lock the winding gear by lining up loaded sliding bolt will release and the indent on the inside of the wheel the wheel may be operated. and relocating the slide bolt.

To lock the wheel Whilst holding in the slide bolt push in and re-lock the Abloy lock barrel.

8 Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways Low bridges and other structures Learn how to cope if an accident On the Nene navigation, many bridges should occur and other structures that have a low You should: (less than 2.8m) clearance have • Know how to help a person in headroom gaugeboards installed. The difficulty in the water. gaugeboards are located immediately • Learn an approved resuscitation up and downstream of the structure, technique. with a board installed further • Learn how to administer first aid. upstream. The gaugeboards will help • Learn how to deal with boat users to assess whether there hypothermia. is adequate clearance for their boat. • Get help! - if in doubt do not put Gauge boards will also be found at yourself at risk. some locations on the Great Ouse, In the event of a river accident, in many of these low bridges are also the first instance ring the emergency narrow. The waterflow is increased as services on 999. Try to give the the boat gets closer to the bridge. This operator as an accurate description has the effect of ‘drawing’ the boat as to your location as possible. Use towards the bridge. When travelling landmarks and your grid reference if downstream, when levels are high, you know it. Please also notify our extreme caution should be exercised. emergency 24 hour hotline as soon as possible by calling 0800 80 70 60.

Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways 9 Reversed locks Dangers During periods of high (flood) flows, some locks may be used for flood Weirs are dangerous areas water discharge purposes. Absolutely Most weirs are identified by a sign (a no attempt should be made to pass boat going over a weir). These warning through a lock if the mitre doors are signs should always be respected. It is chained back and the vertical gate both dangerous and illegal to interfere is partially lifted. In this position the with weir gates and sluices. Many weirs lock is ‘reversed’ and warning signs can also be identified by the presence of will be sited upstream. These signs buoys and/or booms. must be obeyed. ‘Reversed’ locks are Water levels closed due to heavy rain resulting Water levels can never be guaranteed. in exceptionally high and fast river This means extra care should be taken: flows. Under these conditions • When approaching any river control navigation is hazardous and we structures – weirs, sluices, and locks strongly advise users not to attempt etc. – particularly if there is significant to boat on the river. flow in the river. Greater quantities The following locks can be reversed of water will be flowing over river structures and this can make boating on the Nene: hazardous. At higher water levels, • Doddington • significant quantities of water can • Titchmarsh • Warmington cascade over the lock upstream • • Elton mitre doors. This represents a risk of • Lower Barnwell • sinking and boats should moor away from these mitre doors. The following locks can be reversed • When stopping overnight, or leaving on the Great Ouse: a boat for a considerable amount • • of time (for example, over winter in • Cardington • Hemingford places where boats are permitted to • Eaton Socon • St Ives remain in the water) or when a river • Offord • Brownshill is in flood, do not moor in shallow • Brampton water or with a tight rope or chain, as water levels may change rapidly. Strong Stream Advice (SSA) If the levels drop and the craft is The Rivers Nene and Great Ouse are ‘grounded’, it may be turned on its unique in the Region because we side or be damaged. If the level rises ‘reverse the locks’, an operation that and mooring ropes or chains are tight, closes the affected locks to navigation. the boat may take on water, be pulled Our Strong Stream Advice (SSA) tells under or break free. boat users that locks are ‘reversed’

10 Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways and that we strongly recommend to inform users of Strong Stream against attempting to navigate. We Advice. Signs on the River Nene also provide strong stream advice on are located at the top and bottom the to indicate river locks of the Arm of the level changes to users especially , at at South Ferriby when the sluices Lock, Peterborough, at Dog-in-a- are in operation. An automated Doublet, many of the moorings and voice message (AVM) is relayed to all reversed and some other locks. At a predetermined set of telephone a number of sites on the River Nene, numbers when the rivers reach certain boat clubs (in association with the levels or flows. The telephone numbers Environment Agency) raise red flags belong to boat clubs, marinas and when SSA is in operation. These flags others on the Rivers Nene, Great Ouse not only inform club members that and Ancholme navigations. SSA is on, but are of value to other river users as well. River users are also able to telephone our Floodline Information Service to On the all reversed hear the recorded AVM which will locks and some other lock sites inform users whether Strong Stream display SSA signs. A flag warning Advice is on or off. To do this complete system (Red for SSA in force or Green the following steps: for off) also operates at Hermitage lock. 1. Call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 - You will be welcomed to Floodline The River Ancholme uses signs to and offered different touch tone notify users if SSA is in force, these options can be found at South Ferriby and at Glanford Boat Club in Brigg. 2. Choose option ‘1’ to ‘listen to pre-recorded information for flood If you would like to add a contact warnings currently in force’ number for yourself onto any of the SSA lists please contact our National 3. Then simply enter one of the Customer Contact Centre on 08708 following quick dial SSA numbers 506 506. Please note that automated when prompted: warnings can be generated any time • River Nene 032112 of the day or night. • River Great Ouse 033211 • River Ancholme 031211 In partnership with the British Waterways and the Middle Level Commissioners we have signs

Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways 11 Safety at Locks In narrow lock cuts, please remember that some pleasure craft draw up to 1.2 metres (4 feet) or more and might not be able to manoeuvre quickly. When waiting for a lock, form an orderly queue at the landing platform. Queue jumping is bad manners, arouses ill feeling and can cause confusion and delay entering the lock. Always moor on the platform as near as possible to the lock so that later arrivals can moor astern of you. When a lock is full of craft, any remaining boats should move forward along the platform to enable those waiting in the channel (perhaps in difficult conditions) to moor at the back of the queue. Stop your engine once the boat is moored in the lock. Please turn off any radio, or other form of noise. If you have a dog on board, please keep it on your boat or on a lead while passing through locks. Please take care, and whilst in the lock: Do not fend off with hands, feet or boat hook (experience shows that this can result in crushed or broken limbs). Do not open fuel tanks or strike matches.

12 Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways Specific advice for non-powered craft Canoeing whilst turning round. At such times, a Buoyancy aids or life jackets should rescue boat should be in attendance. be worn at all times with helmets If on water at dusk, after sunset or when in wild water. Canoeists in restricted visibility, rowers and should preferably have had formal scullers should wear light coloured instruction, be able to swim and tops, and an all-round white light or adhere to the British Canoe Union two white lights covering 360° should Code of Practice. be displayed. Do not canoe just above weirs or try Look out for others on and in the to shoot weirs. water, and change speed and Keep clear of sailing boats, motor direction as necessary to avoid cruisers and rowing craft (sculls, incident. pairs, fours and eights) particularly Remember the cox is always in charge when racing or coaching is taking and is the master of the craft. place. Remember it is difficult for rowing craft to see canoes. Remember when travelling faster than another craft that the overtaking craft Do not follow close behind larger must keep clear. Do not turn across vessels. the bows of an oncoming craft; wait Do not get in the way of other craft by until it is safe. suddenly altering course, particularly Remember it is difficult for other users in narrow waters. Remember that to see fast moving rowing craft that lie larger boats are less manoeuvrable low in the water. and canoes can use much shallower water than any other craft. When rowing for pleasure, ensure you do not interfere with other organised Rowing and Sculling activities. In strong stream conditions it is advised that rowing craft stay off the Coaching/rescue vessels must watch river. If you choose to row in strong their speed and wash. conditions, stay away from weirs, obstructions and bridges, especially

Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways 13 Sailing Dinghy racing Sailing craft should look out for other Lay starting lines where they cannot river traffic, and keep clear of weirs cause trouble to passing traffic. If and busy channels. in doubt please contact your local navigation River Inspector. Sailing Do not suddenly alter course marks should not be placed near immediately in front of other craft. locks, lock cuts, marinas, fuel Power driven craft are not always wharves, passenger boat landing as manoeuvrable as sailing craft, stages or narrow and shallow places. especially at low speeds when sailing craft have reasonable winds. The length of the starting line must allow a clear passage to craft Tacking is often essential, but can proceeding up and down the river. present a hazard to navigation. Keep A navigable channel should be a proper lookout; failure to do so is available for non-racing vessels. the cause of many accidents. Starting signal intervals: keep the Buoyancy aids or lifejackets should time between Warning and Starting be worn at all times. signals to a minimum. When there are several starts in succession, allow an interval between races. During this interval, craft intending to race should avoid congregating in the starting area. This allows other vessels to proceed and avoids annoying delays.

14 Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways Regulations There are various regulations Union), sailing dinghies, sailboards, governing the use of the Anglian rowing craft) must have a current navigable rivers and their banks for registration and licence with us. boaters of all sorts, anglers, riparian Registration certificates usually owners, towpath walkers, etc. expire on 31st March, although short period certificates may be obtained Whether you want to erect a landing for visiting craft entering the Anglian stage, or hold an event such as Region’s navigable waterways from a regatta or raft race, check with other waterways. the Planning & Corporate Services department. You can get in touch with Other classes of licences are any of the local Planning & Corporate available which allow access to both Services Departments via our National Environment Agency and British Customer Contact Centre, please call Waterways navigations - for example 08708 506 506 Mon to Fri 08:00 to the ‘Gold Licence’. 18:00 and ask for the relevant office The Environment Agency must also be below stating it is in Anglian Region: notified by the registered boat owner of any change of ownership taking For the Rivers: Ancholme, Welland, place during the registration period. Glen and Nene: Failure to do so is an offence. Licences Lincoln Office: Waterways Team, are not transferable and the licence Waterside House, Waterside North plate must be clearly displayed. Lincoln LN2 5HA. All vessels used on the Environment Telephone: 08708 506506. Agency Anglian Region’s navigable Fax: 01522 512927. waterways are required to comply For the Rivers Great Ouse and Stour: with construction and equipment Peterborough Office: Waterways specifications. From 1997 onwards, Team, Kingfisher House, Goldhay depending on the age of the vessel, Way, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, owners have been required to produce PE2 5ZR. a valid Boat Safety Certificate when applying for a licence to use the vessel Telephone: 08708 506506. on the Anglian Region’s navigable Fax: 01733 231840. waterways. Registration and Licensing For any navigation license and All vessels (motor launches, canoes registration related enquiries please (except members of the British Canoe contact 08456 031043.

Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways 15 Boat safety scheme Navigation byelaws Safety is vitally important for boat Obey the rules of navigation and owners and users. The Boat Safety the navigation byelaws. Copies are Scheme, developed in co-operation available by calling our National with boat user representatives and Customer Contact Centre on 08708 the boat trade, is designed to reduce 506 506 or from Area Offices, the the risk of fire and/or explosion on Regional Office and the Navigation craft. The scheme currently applies to Income Section in Peterborough. both Environment Agency and British Other publications available in this Waterways navigations. series: How does it work? Navigating the River Nene Boats subject to the scheme have to be examined independently at least Navigating the Rivers Welland and Glen once every four years by authorised Navigating the River Ancholme examiners. Navigating the River Great Ouse Who does it apply to? The scheme applies to all powered Navigating the River Stour vessels, including hire craft. Manually Boating the right way, Recreational propelled craft and sailing vessels, Byelaws, Anglian Waterways which do not carry fuel and are not fitted with cooking, heating, refrigerating or lighting appliances do not have to comply. For further details on the Boat Safety Scheme please refer to the ‘Boat Safety Scheme’ booklet available from the Boat Safety Scheme, at Willow Grange, Church Road, Watford, Herts, WD17 4QA Telephone: 01923 201 278. Fax: 01923 201 420. Email:Bss.enquiries@britishwater ways.co.uk www.boatsafetyscheme.com

16 Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways Useful Contacts In the first instance you may find Anglian Central Area Office, River answers to any queries via our Great Ouse: web site at: Waterways Team, Environment Agency, www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ Brampton Office, Bromholme Lane, navigation Brampton, , Cambridgeshire, PE28 4NE. Fax: 01480 413381. However should you need further information enquiries can be made Anglian Eastern Area Office, River Stour: through our National Customer Contact Ipswich Office. Iceni House, Cobham Centre, details for which are: Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JE. Fax: 01473 724205. Telephone: 08708 506 506 (Within UK, lines open Mon to Fri 08:00 – 18:00) For any craft registration and 00 44 1709 389 201 (Outside of UK) licensing enquiries please contact 08702 422 549 (Minicom Service for the following office: the hard of hearing) Craft Registration and Licensing: e-mail: [email protected] Navigation Income and Licensing You can get in touch with any of our Team, Environment Agency, Aqua Regional / local Area Offices via the House, Road, Peterborough, National Customer Contact Centre PE2 8AG. Tel: 08456 031 043. telephone number above, by fax or in Fax: 01733 231840. writing to the following addresses: To report any incidents or breakdowns Anglian Regional Office: please call our 24-hour incident hotline: Waterways Team, Environment Agency, 0800 80 70 60 Kingfisher House, Goldhay Way, Orton For Strong Stream Advice please call Goldhay, Peterborough, PE2 5ZR. our Floodline: Fax: 01733 231 840. 0845 988 11 88 Anglian Northern Area Office, Rivers Dial option ‘1’ followed by the relevant Ancholme, Welland, Glen & Nene: quick dial number: Waterways Team, Environment Agency, River Nene: 032112 - River Great Ouse: Waterside House, Waterside North, 033211 - River Ancholme: 031211 Lincoln, LN2 5HA. Fax: 01522 512927.

Environment Agency Staying safe on Anglian Waterways 17 Would you like to find out more about us, or about your environment?

Then call us on 08708 506 506 (Mon-Fri 8-6) email [email protected] or visit our website www.environment-agency.gov.uk incident hotline 0800 80 70 60 (24hrs) floodline 0845 988 1188

Environment first: This publication is printed on paper made from 100 per cent previously used waste. By-products from making the pulp and paper are used for composting and fertiliser, for making cement and for generating energy.

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