NABOThe Magazine of the National NewsAssociation of Boat Owners Issue 4 July 2017

CANOES AND CANALS SAFE FUEL HANDLING BOATING IN THE BRECON BEACONS 2

The NABO Council Regional Representatives Chair NW Waterways Stella Ridgway Richard Carpenter (details left) NABO News The magazine of the National Association of Boat Owners 07904 091931 North East, Yorkshire and Humber, Shared [email protected] Ownership Rep. Issue 4 July 2017 Vice Chair, NAG (Licensing and Moorings), Howard Anguish Communications Officer, Moorings 01482 669876 Contents Mark Tizard [email protected], [email protected] 0203 4639806 London Waterways and NAG (Licensing & Mooring) 4 Editorial [email protected] David Williams 5 In the Chair Treasurer 07813 496208 6 Fly on the wall Helen Hutt [email protected] 7 Membership Matters 07831 682092 South East [email protected] Geoff Wood 8 Around the regions: North east Legal Affairs and Continuous Cruising 07968 491118 waterways, Welsh waterways, West Mike Rodd [email protected] Midlands 07831 860199 Southern Waterways 10 News: Shroppie fishing matches, [email protected] Andy Colyer Falkirk Wheel, Long-term moorings NABO News Editor 07733 364856 enforcement Peter Fellows [email protected] 12 New rental licence, Canoeing on the 19 High Street, Bonsall, Derbyshire, DE4 2AS Geoffrey Rogerson 01629 825267 07768 736593 , Slowing cyclists, New route [email protected] Midlands Waterways along Bow Back Rivers Webmaster, NAG (Operations) and BSS Rep. Phil Goulding (details left) 14 Boating: Buswoman’s holiday David S. Fletcher East Midlands Waterways 17 CRT News: Boater survey results, 07719 276659 Joan Jamieson Licence evasion [email protected] 0115 981 2047 18 Techie corner: Care with combustibles Continuous Cruising Rep. [email protected] Phil Goulding West Midlands 22 Talking Points: Canoes in locks and 01271 865340 Alison Tuck tunnels [email protected] [email protected] 26 Friends Reunited Floating Traders, Regional Reps Coordinator and Anglian Waterways 27 Letters, I name this boat Cover photo Boater Liaison Rep. Vacant Paul Howland North & Borders Next NABO News copy date This month’s cover photo is Swallow at Engine 07443 635587 David Fletcher (details left) Bridge, by Kevin Maslin. Win a year’s free mem- [email protected] Welsh Waterways Articles, letters, cartoons and photos are most bership by having your photo selected for the Minutes Secretary Mike Rodd (details left) Vacant welcome. Images and photos in JPEG for- front cover of NABO News. Please email photos River Severn mat. Please email or post your contributions to as JPEG attachments, ideally portrait format with Vacant [email protected] by September 9th 2017 a file size of 2MB or larger. General Sec, Promotion and Recruitment River Thames Richard Carpenter Graham Paterson Mill House End Farm, Leyland, Lancashire 0118 986 3959 PR26 9HB, [email protected] 07989 441674 or 01772 600886 NABO News is published by the National Association of Boat Owners [email protected] Additional Contacts PO Box 104, Leyland PR25 9AN Editor: Peter Fellows Production: Chris Pink Assistant For The Disabled NABO Online Ken Hylins Whilst every care is taken to ensure that the contents of this newsletter are factually correct, we accept no liability for any direct facebook.com/master.nabo or consequential loss arising from any action taken by anyone as a result of reading anything contained in this publication. The 07852 911539 views expressed are not necessarily those of the Association. The products and services advertised in this publication are not Mark Tizard [email protected] necessarily endorsed by the Association. Administration Twitter @NABO_Official Sue Burchett David Fletcher CRT Emergency No: 0800 4799947 EA Emergency No: 0800 807060 [email protected] Contact CRT waterway managers at canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/our-regions

NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 4 5 The Editor’s Column In the Chair

anoeists feature more promi- request in the last issue for car- opefully you have all been en- more of a political football and it has nently in this issue than toons and a crossword compiler, but joying the lovely weather; we been kicked into the long grass for previously, with news of I’m pleased to report that we will got some painting done, al- the while. Cnew canoe slipways on the hopefully soon have a new ‘Rewind’ Hthough the disadvantage was Equality provision is something Llangollen, the opening of Foulridge column in each issue. that the paint was drying as we put we also discussed: Sean Williams Tunnel on the L&L to canoeists, and Elsewhere, there are reports it on. I do hope that wasn’t all of our explained that they are getting re- problems with some canoeists want- from three of NABO’s regional reps; summer—we so deserve a decent ferrals from both the Customer ing to share locks with boats. While Howard Anguish in the North-east, summer in the north. My Mum is Services and Licensing Teams. I can- NABO welcomes the increased use Mike Rodd in Wales and Alison over from New Zealand at present; not emphasise enough the need to of the waterways by as many people Tuck in the West Midlands. Mark she grew up in Middlewich but as let Customer Services know if you as possible, its main concern in rela- Tizard has views on how boaters can we cruised a little, she was amazed require help; they can then contact tion to canoeists is safety—it doesn’t be better ‘friends’ with CRT, which at the number and variety of boats your local Customer Service and take much imagination to see who would be in the interests of both on the Peak Forest Canal (I might will come off worse in situations parties, and Helen Hutt recounts her be biased, but it is a very pretty ca- where a canoe and a 12-tonne boat first experience of boating along the nal with breathtaking views across are in too close proximity—such as a Mon & Brec. Enjoy the summer (as I the Peak District on the summit Summertime lock or a tunnel. write this, I can’t believe it’s already pound). midsummer). The next issue will be CRT has an emphasis on the in October, so give me a wave if we licensing review and the London and the livin’ pass on the north-west canals over mooring strategy, which does not Coping with the coming weeks. seem to be addressing the issue of the extra boats moving to London is easy each year. NABO was disappointed to see that the licensing review is canoes not even finished but CRT has in- Stella Ridgway is out enjoying the sun troduced a new licence for rented boats. This would not appear to ad- Editor Peter Fellows welcomes dress the issue, as it requires boats Support Officer (i.e. Enforcement), clarification by CRT to have a residential mooring and plus it is on record that you have doesn’t address landlords who rent contacted them. The Trust often out a boat without a home mooring, engages local and national agencies So it is welcome that Jon Horsfall, or the ones who ask tenants to buy to assist boaters in difficulty, but the CRT’s interim head of boating, has a 1% share in a boat to circumvent emphasis is on you to contact them restated its policy on unpowered the hire rule. I attended a meeting if you are having difficulties so that craft and has begun a process with with CRT where we discussed the they can assist. British Canoeing to promote clear ongoing licensing review. There will During this busy cruising time, and straightforward information to be a further opportunity to give our we rely on our members to let CRT increase awareness of what canoe- views to CRT as we were informed (and us) know if you see unpow- ists can and cannot do. that all boaters would be contact- ered craft in locks. CRT has posted Although we have had occasional ed. NABO will be represented in a its guidelines again, advising that articles over the years on technical further meeting in late July, so do people should not be in unpowered aspects of boating, I would like to contact me if you have views on this. craft in locks when they are filling print more, so I have introduced the The EA/CRT merger was put on or emptying. This follows a few in- first of a new series with a look at hold during the election and still no cidents recently, after which NABO safety aspects of fuels on board. If word on how the new Secretary of highlighted the safety aspects, par- you have specialist knowledge of any State, Michael Gove, will view it. I ticularly if children are present. aspect of boat design, construction, don’t expect any results in the short Finally; I do hope you enjoy the equipment, facilities or mainte- term, however, due to the slim ma- summer cruising and that you have nance, or just some handy technical jority. I am sure there will be some a good summer. Our next Council tips that you’ve come across, please fed-up faces in both organisations, meeting is in September and all are let me know. I’ve also repeated my but it would appear that this may be welcome to attend. NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 Photo: Valley Girls WI NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 6 7

NABO Council, June 10th 2017 NABO Membership News

reflect the true cost of enforcement? And is Fly on the wall CRT outsourcing enforcement because its en- forcement officers are now ‘Customer Support CAN YOU HELP NABO? Observes proceedings at June's Council meeting Officers? Clearly, it is in the commercial inter- est of the enforcement company to catch as Here at NABO News, I would welcome some many over-stayers as possible, so will this be more help from members: do you have skills as a nearly full house at licence in the middle of the consul- extended to 48-hour visitor moorings and even cartoonist or a crossword compiler? I would also Wolverhampton Boat Club tation? The requirement to have 14-day towpath moorings? Is this how people welcome more cover photos, especially autumn with members Frank and a residential mooring means that want to see the waterways evolve? and winter on the waterways. NABO Council has A Gillian Spragg joining the the licence is unlikely to be taken The consultation on air pollution caused by a few vacancies that it would also like to fill: we meeting. The announcementup by many owners—especially in smoke and diesel fumes has identified stove need a Minute’s Secretary and reps for Anglian that CRT will permit ca- London where this type of mooring smoke from moored boats as an issue in a few Waters and the River Severn—can you help? noes in Foulridge Tunnel is rarer than a hen’s tooth. The BSS is built-up areas, but boat diesel engines are an prompted an extended dis- screening boat rental adverts, so that insignificant part of the problem—so it is un- cussion—seem- a hire-boat level safety examination likely that a proposed scrappage scheme for CALLING FLOATING TRADERS ingly everyone can be made at the next renewal, but old diesels will apply to your vintage Listers, has had an is CRT similarly monitoring them Gardners, Bolinders and Russell Newberrys! If you are a floating trader and a NABO member, experience of nearly for incorrect boat licences? CRT is addressing 2500 complaints about I would be pleased to include an article on your squashing A trial involving an enforce- lack of dredging and will identify where and business in a future issue of NABO News. Please paddlers in ment company is underway in the how much is needed. There remain problems let me know how and why you started trading, tunnels and there South East, with penalty charges with offside vegetation causing blocked lines of what you sell and how people can contact you. have also been of £150 per day for ‘trespassing’ sight, but towpath inspectors cannot identify A couple of separate, high-quality photos would some recent contretemps (i.e. staying) on CRT’s ‘Waterside these, so CRT doesn’t know where they are. It also be good to illustrate the article. with canoeists wanting to share Moorings’ without permission. This is up to boaters to tell them. NABO calendar 2017 locks with boats. The Council will follows a similar trial by the EA on Council Meetings in 2017: seek clarification from CRT’s Elf ‘n the Thames, which seems to have September 2nd, October Safety boss, as Council members got boats moving. No-one likes se- Payment issues be convenient to you, but we have to handle 14th, November 11th and some waterways managers rial over-stayers and everyone on the them and bank them. It gets done as and when (includes AGM). certainly see a problem. Everyone Council could point to such boaters, The current membership team has been in place and this can take several weeks. Electronic pay- wants to see more people enjoying but £150 seems a bit steep. Does this for three years, and we see the benefit of sharing ments are safe and immediate—so more time Council meetings are the waterways, but children in the workload and using a common, web-based boating! These days, most new members use held at boat clubs in canoes can do unpredictable % database. We work largely online and this fits in PayPal, because it’s online, there and then. This the Midlands area. The things, and tunnels and locks 7.5 OFF well with individual boating travels and working is great, and easy on our administration; but the September meeting will are highly dangerous places when it suits us. If we send you a renewal no- only downside is that it costs us about £1 per be at the Wolverhampton for them to be. It can only be BOAT INSURANCE tice, all we ask is that you read and respond to it, payment. Is there a chance that you could change Boat Club, Barnhurst a matter of time before a canoe THROUGH SPECIALIST INSURANCE BROKER CETA particularly if your address, phone, email or cir- to a standing order? Lane, Bilbrook, either gets squished between a cumstances have changed. We appreciate that members sell their boats Wolverhampton, WV8 steel boat and a tunnel wall, or CALL CETA ON We are finalising the move away from our and go ashore, it's part of the normal cycle of 1RS (by boat, on the gets swamped in a deep lock Santander account, and this has enabled us to Shropshire Union, 01608 647601 membership. Please tell us if this applies to you. about one mile up from while it is being filled. stop payments from former members who have If you continue to receive NABO News after Autherley Junction). The Trust’s licensing review AND ASK FOR A BOAT moved on without telling us and failed to can- your renewal date, it is a sure indication that we Members are welcome to workshops are underway but INSURANCE QUOTATION cel their standing orders. A big thank you to all are hoping and expecting you will renew. We do attend Council meetings; many of the pre-selected boat- members who have helped with this. Please re- not stop sending the newsletter for a couple of please just let the ers are not turning up, with OR CETURL.COM/YMZ6J member that if you pay by standing order and months in case have missed the renewal notice. Secretary or Chairman only six of the fifteen invitees FOR AN ONLINE QUOTATION you resign your membership, it is up to you to Let us know; it saves our work writing again, in- know in advance (contact arriving at the Leeds meet- cancel the payments. We will remind you, but curring the postage and checking. details inside cover). ing. Perhaps the organisers Say you are a member of NABO and if you move address and do not tell us, there is Finally, we can always use help. If you have should issue more invitations qualify for 7.5% discount. nothing that we can do. Any payments are then basic computer skills and a few hours a week, we to compensate for no-shows. Talk through your requirements for a treated as donations. would love to hear from you. And why has CRT introduced quotation. Most members pay by standing order. If you Thank you for all your assistance and all the a new ‘peer-to-peer’ rental do not, please consider it. Sending cheques may best from the Membership Team. NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 8 9 Around the Regions Around the Regions North East by two weeks. CRT will be seeking clarification and updating everyone shortly. Waterways We had an interesting presentation from Stuart McKenzie, the CRT Harbour Master for Howard Anguish the local rivers, who had been working on a The latest Local Waterway better way of presenting river water level infor- Forum in Castleford on mation on a continuous basis, rather than the 16th May was a well-at- present method which relies on issuing a num- tended forum this time ber of updating notices. The method that he has with a few new faces. The developed will be updated continually on-line, meeting was chaired by Mike Marshall who is presently by input from CRT staff, but hopefully in charge of the NE region while the Manager, this will be augmented by Supervisory control Jon Horsfall, is acting as the interim Head of and data acquisition (SCADA) input. The dis- Boating. Mike is a regular at these meetings, played information will also include enhanced usually leading on the engineering and technical navigational information status, together with issues, and he started by announcing that there any planned action. The system will go live in the next few weeks and I will give an update when I have had the chance to see it running live. The CRT SCADA team are also working on a na- tionwide parallel scheme that will rely totally on Around the automated input from SCADA data at each lock. Nearly all local CRT staff had taken part in Talybony Lift-Bridge Customer Excellence Training because it was felt Photo: talybontonusk.com regions with in some quarters that this had been neglected in recent years. The rest of the meeting was spent stoppage programme was out for consultation NABO officially raising the matter with the CRT on what was described as ‘speed dating’. There and comments and we were urged to have a look director responsible. CRT’s policy is clear, but were six tables set up with CRT staff at each table at the first round that was published recently. obviously not being applied—even by some CRT NABO’s who were able to speak on a variety of disciplines: volunteer lockkeepers. two tables for customer operations to cover local Welsh waterways; one for customer operations involv- Waterways West regional reps ing rivers and tidal operations; an engagement, Midlands events and volunteering table; one table for asset Mike Rodd management; and one concerning operational Alison Tuck contracts. While the Welsh Government-supported All the summer stoppages would be a different style to this meeting because During three 30-minute sessions, we were winter work on the Mon have been completed and he was conscious that, in the recent past, there asked to visit three different tables each and to & Brec has been most wel- the Wyrley and Essington had been little chance for audience participa- talk about any issues that may be of interest. come, it is disappointing is open at Pinfold Bridge. I tion in Q&As to CRT staff. Consequently, there Understandably, most discussions involved local to see that the extensive work on the vital lift- heard that there was some was a brief update on a few matters of local in- issues, with the exception of Richard Delves, the bridge at Talybont has resulted in failures twice trouble with a gang of teenagers throwing stones terest, in particular the Leeds Flood Alleviation Boating Business Manager, who tried to engage in the last few weeks. Likewise, the pumpout out at boaters during the BCN Challenge; police have Scheme. We had been told at the autumn forum his table with a discussion about the current li- at Brecon (the only CRT pumpout on the canal) been informed. There is an issue of tyres being il- that there would be a couple of major stoppages cence consultation. However, I have to say that has failed yet again. Otherwise, it is brilliant to legally dumped at the bottom of Garrison Flight in 2017, which would disrupt boating plans for there did not seem to be much enthusiasm to en- see that most hire companies are doing well and on the BCN. CRT and the Council are taking ac- many river and canal users in the area. After dis- gage in this subject; rather the main thrust of the the support they receive from the CRT ‘Lockies’ tion to catch the fly-tippers. Community Roots cussions over the winter, Mike was able to tell us discussion was about how some CRT telephone is welcomed. is a CRT-funded project, doing graffiti projects that these plans had been revised and there was responders seemed to be less than knowledge- On the K&A, there seem to be more bridge along the BCN, working with artists and schools. now to be only one stoppage over the last two able of waterways issues and locations! and lock failures than before. And, as has been They have also planted an urban orchard along weeks of July. However, he did say that he had A final comment; there was virtually no na- reported before, the number of canoes and kay- the towpath from Birmingham city centre down had a call from Leeds City Council, just before tional news given out at this meeting, which is aks who seem to believe they can use some of the the Aston flight. leaving for the forum, that this might be delayed certainly a departure from previous forums. The only exception was a reminder that the winter most dangerous locks on the system has led to NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 10 11 News News Long-term moorings enforcement CRT is trialling a long-term moorings enforce- ment process at 16 Waterside Mooring sites. The contractor, District Enforcement, will target boaters who refuse to move from their moor- ing after a Waterside Mooring agreement has expired or has been terminated by the Trust, or where boats without a mooring agreement are staying on a Waterside Mooring berth and refus- ing to move. Although the extent of the problem is not clear, any offending boat owners will be noti- fied and given 48 hours to move the boat. If they fail to move the boat, they will be issued with a Mooring Overstay Charge Notice for being in Update on Shroppie breach of the conditions on the sign. The charge will be £150 per day, with a 50% discount if it is fishing competition paid within 14 days. If boaters do not pay within 28 days or challenge the charge within 14 days, District Enforcement will notify the owner of The national angling championships that take its intention to pursue the matter through the place on Saturday 19th August on the Shropshire Small Claims Court. The approach is based on Union Canal will occupy 15 miles of towpath. Waterside Mooring is the new name the Environment Agency model, using the pri- These sections will be excluded from the match for the 3500 long-term, permanent vate parking industry to apply overstay charges and are available for overnight moorings on moorings managed by CRT across on moorings on the Thames and CRT says that Friday evening or during the day on Saturday: England and Wales. it is intended to deter, rather than punish, over- South of bridge 42 stayers. The small print on the signboard says: Shebdon Aqueduct moorings area ‘This land is privately owned by the Bridge 45 and approx. midway between Trust. District Enforcement have the bridge 46 bridge 47 Trust’s authority to issue mooring Near winding hole at bridge 48 overstay charge notices (MOCN) and Bridge 55 north for around 200 metres to recover the overstay charges from Bridge 56 to Tyrley Locks Falkirk Wheel plans the person or persons in control of the Tyrley locks to Bridge 64 at Market Drayton deferred vessel. The trust will provide District South side of Betton Wood bridge for approx. Enforcement with any information 150 metres Scottish Canals have put the proposals in the it holds in its records relating to the Midway between Bridge 68 and 69 north to ‘Rotate’ project to convert one of the caissons vessel to enable recovery of the overstay Adderley Locks New Act? on the Falkirk Wheel to a passenger platform on charges by District Enforcement. Adderley Lock Flight Signs that have appeared on London’s waterways hold ‘for the next few years’. The Wheel, which District Enforcement is authorised to Adderley bottom lock to approx. 150 metres seem to show that CRT’s sign-making depart- is 15 years old this year, is one of Scotland’s top take full debt recovery action if overstay south of Hawksmoor bridge 72 ment is making up legislation as it goes along. visitor attractions, but Scottish Canals faced al- charges are not paid. If a MOCN is Bridge 74 to Audlem Top Lock There is no such thing as a ‘Canal & River Trust most universal criticism when it announced the issued, and the person or persons in Audlem Lock Flight Act’ and hence no ‘Bye-laws 29 and 48’ to contra- proposals. It has decided that, although Rotate control if the vessel do not remove the North of Audlem Lock Flight to midway be- vene. CRT’s Boating Manager for London said: remains part of its plans ‘to refresh the customer vessel from this location, the Trust may tween bridge 79 and 80 “We’re finding out what’s happened here—it experience’, it is now ‘committed to ensuring that authorise District Enforcement to take On the day of the match, the event organis- looks like there was some confusion in the draft- our customers are involved in the development possession of the vessel for the purpose ers, Angling Trust, will have four stewards in ing, which we’re going to correct.” of this project once we are in a position to pro- of moving it to any other part if the each section. Further information, contact Dave from www.thefloater.org/the-floater-june-2017 gress’. waterway as instructed by the Trust.’ Watkins at [email protected]. Photo:Alec Wood NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 12 13 News News New rental licence More efforts to slow cyclists In June, CRT introduced a new ‘Static Letting’ licence for rented boats at the same price as a As part of its ‘share the space, drop your self-drive hire-boat. It covers all types of boat pace’ campaign, CRT is installing ‘3D sleeping rentals, long-term renting and Airbnb-style short policeman’ on selected towpaths, with messages breaks. Owners need a permanent mooring and on the ground saying ‘no need to rush, just relax’ should check if planning permission is needed. or ‘slow down and look around, it’s nice here’. It The licence requires boat owners to provide a de- has also produced a video targeted at cyclists and tailed handover document, including emergency runners, showing why ‘towpaths aren’t the place procedures and contact numbers, and fully brief to get your running or cycling personal best’ potential renters. Owners also require adequate insurance, a non-private BSC, a landlord’s gas NABO commented: Why not charge cyclists £150 safety certificate and written permission to hire if they do not obey the sign, reduced to £75 for the boat from their mooring provider. The aim is Canoeing on the prompt payment? to ensure that boat owners meet their responsi- bilities to ensure that the tenants are safe. Llangollen CRT also has a new process for dealing with A new canoe guide and three new slipways owners who breach the terms of their private have been created by CRT in Wales, funded owner’s licence by renting their boat. When a by Natural Resources Wales and public do- boat is suspected of being rented out without the nations to CRT. Two slipways are at the top correct licence, the licence holder will be given of the canal close to the Horseshoe Falls, and 28 days to clarify the situation and a letter will a third is opposite the Llangollen Pavilion New route be posted onto the boat to alert the tenants. The near the town centre, for use by organised owner then has the option to cease trading or ap- groups by advance agreement. A free canoe along Bow ply for a static letting licence. If neither is done guide: ‘Paddle the right way’ is available from Back Rivers the licence will be revoked. the CRT website and the Trevor Basin visi- Further information: canalrivertrust.org.uk/ tor centre. CRT and the London renting-a-boat-to-live-on Legacy Development

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TREVORTREVOR Tyˆ Mawr the Queen Elizabeth Country Park A483 GARTH PENTRE Unguarded Olympic Park. drop stay close Castell Dinas Brân Whitehouse Tunnel to towpath when Valle Crucis Pontcysyllte Previously, the rivers in Ruthin l crossing Abbey a Aqueduct A539 n Cefn a C Viaduct Horseshoe Pass Llangollen A5 A542 Bridge 41 this part of the East End were almost unnaviga- stretch of short-stay visitor moorings on the Dee r e v Chirk Castle i Llangollen R A5 Pavilion ble, subject to tides, with a build-up of silt and Lee Navigation near the Hertford Union Canal. Wharf Open access from Horseshoe Falls or into the canal Chirk Tunnel 1mi GLEDRID full of fly-tipped rubbish, which saw them de- Some of the new moorings will be free for up Chain Bridge 1km LLANTYSILIO LLANGOLLEN 4 miles Chirk Viaduct

Llangollen Plas Newydd Trevor cline until they were largely closed in the 1960s. to 48 hours, and others will be pre-bookable Berwyn Chirk Aqueduct Station Basin Station g o ri Cei 1 River mi iles le 5 m Gledrid The three-mile ‘stadium island loop’ of wa- for up to seven days at a cost of £10 per night. 2 2. BRONYGARTH Sun Trevor Bridge 41

WESTON RHYN terways around the London Stadium, which These moorings will be available by the end of s mile 1.75

Llangollen Wharf includes the Old River Lea, City Mill River the year, but there will be no mooring within Horseshoe Falls 2 Miles Corwen and St. Thomas Creek, will open for cruising the Olympic Park itself. From the autumn, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and About us Canal World Heritage Site The Canal & River Trust is here so you have a place to escape. A without the need for prior booking. There will Waterworks River and Three Mills Wall River, place where you can step off the pavement onto the towpath and EXPLORE 11 miles of stunning heritage – breathe. We are entrusted to care for 2,000 miles of waterways in be occasional closures as part of security re- which runs adjacent to the loop, will be opened 2 countries, 2 tunnels and 2 aqueducts. England and Wales. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site extends From improving towpaths and creating new wildlife habitats to quirements for high-profile events in the Park, to navigation via Carpenters Road Lock. along the from Chirk through to Llantysilio across maintaining our distinctive infrastructure we are constantly working the Dee Valley. Canoeing is a fantastic way to discover and admire Please help to make our waterways the best they can be. a unique, picturesque landscape of aqueducts, viaducts and long but boaters can get notification in advance via A booking system will be trialled over the reduce erosion by Many people don’t realise that our waterways are only here thanks tunnels. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct itself is one of the most amazing carrying rather than to the efforts of thousands of volunteers and generous donations engineering feats on the canal network, a cast iron trough supported dragging boats that you give. CRT’s stoppage notifications and notices on summer, with the full launch after the East down the slope by giant stone pillars 39 metres (127 feet) above the River Dee. Get involved and become a friend of the Canal and River Trust. Find out more information at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk site. London Waterways Festival on 28th August. or www.pontcysyllte-aqueduct.co.uk Visit. Donate. Volunteer There are also plans to create a 100-metre Further information, tinyurl.com/y9lgoto4. NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 14 15 Byline Boating in the Brecon Beacons

which accompanied us most of the way, provide an auditory wonder- land for bird lovers; during our week we spotted or heard 50 species, in- cluding a cuckoo, dippers, redstart, sandpiper and sparrow hawk. For those keen on canal history and engineering, there are lime kilns galore, aqueducts, abandoned side- ponds like those at The Bratch and wharves, such as Goytre, which have been sympathetically renovated with guide-boards to provide a glimpse into the past. Nature reserve at Fourteen Locks Buswoman’s We picked up our boat at All photos: Helen Hutt Gilwern, near Abergavenny, and boated south as far as Pontypool, by which time the going had become holiday really slow so we walked the remain- ing two miles of navigable canal to Five Locks Basin and another mile Helen Hutt has a glorious week on on to Cwmbran, passing 15 ‘dead’ locks on the way; there are another the Monmouth & Brecon Canal 15 between here and Newport. A few of these 30 locks have been restored and have new gates, contro- versially but sensibly made of metal, fter cruising the Scottish ca- specifically for this canal with a including a couple with hinged bal- nals last year, my friends and width of 8ft 6in and V-shaped bot- ance beams to cater for towpath I looked for another water- toms. traffic. Just north of Newport anoth- Away that we couldn’t access Nowadays, even at its fullest, the er (mostly unnavigable) branch leads with our own boats, and came up canal is shallow, making progress westwards to Pontywaun via the fa- with the beautiful Monmouth and much slower than usual. Overall I mous Fourteen Locks Flight, now a Hinged balance beam Breconshire Canal. With some guid- reckon we barely averaged two mph. designated ancient monument with ance and tips from NABO’s former But hey! Who cares when there is a visitor centre and café near the top. chairman, Mike Rodd, who keeps so much fantastic scenery and canal We walked up here on arrival day, his own boat there, we opted to hire history to enjoy. before collecting our boat. a 50-foot narrowboat from Castle For most of its length, the Mon & Heading north again from Boats—a family run firm with a fleet Brec is a contour canal, perched high Pontypool, we were by this time of ten craft of different lengths, in- up on the hillside overlooking the longing for working locks and cluding two electric boats. Usk Valley and the mountains be- eventually we were rewarded by The Mon & Brec is a narrow yond. It’s heavily wooded, with many the Llangynidr Flight of five and, a canal, but not quite as we know it! ancient oaks along the towpath, couple of miles before Brecon, the Its locks (six functioning, another planted when the canal was built to single Brynich Lock. Mike had rec- 50-odd either under restoration or stabilise the embankment; and we ommended an overnight stop near derelict, and all very deep) are about found some unusual species—such here, by Brynich Aqueduct, and it two feet wider than usual and the as a giant Wellingtonia—planted by certainly didn’t disappoint. With the sloping canal banks would make George Everest, the botanist after Usk babbling below and beautiful mooring difficult for a ‘normal’ nar- whom the world’s highest mountain views of the Brecon Beacons, who rowboat with vertical sides and flat is named. could ask for more? The only other bottom. Hence boats were designed All these trees and the River Usk, ‘obstacles’ en route were a couple of The crew at Five Locks NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 16 17 Boating in the Brecon Beacons CRT News Boater satisfaction increase CRT’s latest Boat Owners’ Views Survey was sent the issues that matter most to boaters. For exam- to a third of licence holders (1,160 respondents) ple, this year we’re planning on spending £26.9m by research consultancy, BDRC Continental, in on dredging and repairs to bridges and embank- March and April 2017. Although the full survey ments. Dredging is planned at sites including the results have yet to be released, a summary shows Macclesfield, Chesterfield, Lancaster and Grand that 76% said they were happy with their cruis- Union, with a fund set aside for spot dredging. ing experience (68% in 2016) and the number of We’re also going to be spending £17.4m on other boaters who would recommend the Trust’s wa- works, including replacing 180 lock gates with terways to others increased by a similar amount a focus on the West Midlands, South East and to 78% (69% in 2016). Boaters in Wales & Borders Manchester & Pennine regions. Your feedback The bridge over the Usk were most satisfied and those in London were has played an important part in determining this at Crickhowell least satisfied. London was also the waterway work.” where the fewest boaters would recommend the The survey aims to contact the majority of waterway to others (39%). licence holders in each three-year cycle and the There have been small increases in numbers full results of this year’s survey will be published of boaters who feel they know the charity bet- on the CRT website. ter (57% compared to 48% in 2016) and are more favourable towards the Trust (59% compared to What do you think about volunteer lift-bridges, including Talybont hydraulic lift bridge (which 54% in 2016), while the number of boaters who lockies? thankfully waited to break down a week later), and the un- trust CRT to look after the waterways is almost static (63% in 2016, 65% this year). Likewise, CRT has commissioned a Volunteer Lock- believably low and narrow, but thankfully short, Ashford keeper Impact Survey to get people’s views on Tunnel—a mini Standedge. opinions about the overall upkeep of the water- how useful and helpful they are. The survey Brecon itself provided a fitting terminus with good moor- ways are virtually unchanged with 77% of boaters runs until October 31st and can be completed ings in the basin and everything you could ask of an old rating them OK to excellent (75% in 2016). online at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ market town, especially splendid ice creams! Although there Jon Horsfall, interim head of boating com- VLKuserimpact2017 are barely 36 miles of navigable water and six locks, a week mented: “The survey findings help us focus on was hardly enough to do it justice. The towpath is in excel- lent condition throughout, and there are plenty of waymarked footpaths leading off into the hills or down into the valley, just inviting you to leave the boat for a while and explore. CRT Licences issued Last word: the old adage about Welsh rain is a fallacy. Licence evasion Evasion (%) 2016 2017* % change Official! At least it was for us. Our weather throughout was CRT has published its annual national boat glorious; after a drizzly start on arrival day, the sun came out Central East 2.5 4876 5055 3.7 count, which shows that licence evasion is London 5.5 3662 4001 9.3 and stayed out. I even had to buy a sun hat, something I’ve down by 0.7% in the last year to 3.7%; the never bothered with before. North 5.0 6679 6628 -0.8 eighth year that the rate has stayed below NW & Midlands 3.6 4421 4407 -0.3 5%. In 2016/17 CRT removed 101 boats South East 1.4 6304 6448 2.3 Ellen Dexter commented: that were either unlicensed or in breach of South West (inc K&A) 4.9 4016 4138 3.0 I too holidayed for four days on the Mon and Brec at Easter, its terms and conditions. The national boat Total 3.7 29,958 30,677 2.4 count also shows the changing numbers on a hire-boat from Castle Narrowboats for six family and * Another 3,446 boats are in marinas that do not require a CRT licence, of boats across the country, with London friends. While I am ‘between boats’, I am taking the oppor- making the total number of boats 34,123 tunity to hire boats on canals I wouldn’t otherwise get to, seeing an increase of 339 boats (over 9%), and share the experience with more friends and family than and numbers in the Central East, South I could comfortably fit on a private boat. We all thought the West and South East regions also rising. of them. The EA has removed 17 boats from its Mon and Brec was stunning and will definitely be going back. Boat numbers in the North, North Wales and waterways under similar legislation, but has suc- I was also interested to read Mike’s comments that the off- Midlands have seen a slight drop. cessfully prosecuted nearly 260 cases of licence side vegetation removal had external funding; the amount of These figures make interesting reading evasion in the last six years. It seems that the EA work done was seriously impressive. compared to the EA statistics. Whereas CRT is focussed on maximising revenue whereas CRT Lock awaiting restoration removed 101 boats last year, it prosecuted none is focussed on maximising boat movement.` NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 TECHIE’S 19 Techie’s Corner

Solid fuels If you don’t have the time or incli- eing an ex-pipe nation to find dead trees to saw up, smoker, I like the season until sufficiently dry, and smell of wood- store on the cabin roof, there are Bsmoke from the a range of alternative wood-based CORNER stoves of moored boats as or wood-like fuels, including bri- I drift past on an autumnal quette ‘logs’ made from compressed Aspects of boat design, day. And because of a little wood-chips or vegetable fibres such construction, equipment, expertise in food smoking, I as hemp. Alternatively, if you would know that the relatively low like to continue burning your usual facilities or maintenance combustion temperatures fuel, smokeless stoves are designed (around 300—400 °C) in to introduce pre-heated, second- wood-burning stoves cause ary air into the firebox that burns the hydrocarbon particles in smoke. maximum retention of the chemical Adamant emerges from Blisworth This can greatly increase the com- compounds that produce desirable Photo: Brian Stewart aromas in wood smoke. Smoke from bustion efficiency and dramatically reduce the amount of smoke going up the chimney, which in turn can reduce servicing costs and save MYSTERIOUS DEATH Care with fuel. The stoves are certified as suit- able for use in smoke-control zones. IN A CANAL TUNNEL Similarly, diesel-burning stoves or combustibles central heating boilers also produce An extraordinary circumstance occurred early on Saturday morn- very little smoke. ing in the Blisworth Tunnel, near Northampton, through which Peter Fellows offers some advice on Whatever fuel or stove type you passes the Grand Junction Canal. A man named Smith was work- staying healthy and safe select, avoid the risk of poisoning ing a boat for Mr W E Clark, a wharfinger, of Fenny Stratford, and yourself, your crew and pets, from it was as usual being drawn through the tunnel by a steam tug. carbon monoxide (CO) inhalation When near the end, the man in charge of the tug noticed an unac- each potentially harmful. Likewise, hardwoods, such as oak, beech or by ensuring that the stove is well- countable jerking of the boat, and on returning along the path to boaters who glean anything com- chestnut, or aromatic woods, such maintained and no gases or smoke ascertain the cause found that the man Smith was dead. Death bustible to put in their stoves can as apple or cherry, all have distinc- can escape into the cabin space from was caused, it is supposed, by suffocation, the atmosphere in Burning wood and produce a whole range of other the use of boat stoves tive aromas. either the stove or flue. Fit both CO the tunnel being exceedingly dense, particularly during the early unpleasant emissions. The current are both exempt from These aromas are due to more and smoke detectors (see NABO morning, and this density is intensified by the smoke from the ongoing review of air quality in ma- regulations under the than 400 volatile chemicals (ethers, News Issue 5, 2016). tug. jor towns and cities has, for the first Clean Air Act. aldehydes, esters, ketones etc.), Birmingham Daily Post, March 9th 1885 time, identified smoke from boat Artificial Logs which can produce sweet, flowery, LPG stoves as a source of nuisance, if not fruity, spicy, pungent phenolic or n contrast to handling and using test’ carried out as part of the BSS www.penntree.co.uk/ harm, in a couple of locations (no- product/hotblocks, clove-like aromas. Woods from dif- solid fuels, liquefied propane or examination of private boats. The tably in Islington, where the canal is ferent tree species have different butane falls within the BSS exami- test checks that the gas system is free www.verdorenewables. surrounded by high buildings that co.uk/products/ amounts of these components and Ination, due to its greater volatility from leaks (i.e. the gas tightness) and can reduce smoke dispersal). briquettes hence have different aromas when and risk of causing a fire or explo- involves a BSS examiner who is Gas So if, for whatever reason, you burned. But some softwoods, espe- sion. It is not just common sense, Safe registered using a manometer eastyorkshirehemp. want to reduce the smoke from your cially pine and fir, contain resins that but also a legal requirement under on a screw nipple gas test point (a co.uk/hemp-briquettes. boat stove, there are a range of op- html produce unpleasant compounds the Gas Safety (Installation and threaded opening in the gas system, tions available. Select a smokeless when burned. Use) Regulations (GSIUR) that you sealed by a screw nipple). Examiners Stoves certified for fuel according to price and conveni- use in smoke control However, other ingredients in should employ a (LPG boats-com- who are not Gas Safe registered can ence. Smokeless coal or anthracite zones smoke, including nitrogen oxides, petent) Gas Safe registered engineer only complete the check if a bubble both have a higher bulk density polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to carry out any work on the LPG tester is fitted, or by observing the www.stovax.com/smoke- than wood and hence takes up less control-areas/stoves- (PAHs), phenolic compounds, tar, system on your boat. Under the manometer test being conducted storage space; and bags are easier smoke-control-areas carbon monoxide and dioxide, are scope of the GSIUR, the definition of by a (LPG boats-competent) Gas to handle and stack than are logs. ‘work’ also includes a ‘LPG tightness Safe registered installer. Obviously, NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 20 21 Techie’s Corner Techie’s Corner

competent) Gas Safe registered if the removal of LPG cylinders). has suffered from noxious fumes in To avoid the risks: boat is used primarily for residential If your boat is a hire-boat, a a long tunnel at the end of a busy Run portable purposes—i.e. liveaboard craft and third-party managed share-owned day, or from following a boat with generators ashore houseboats (it makes no difference boat, a trip-boat, a rented residen- a poorly maintained engine. For and away from the if the boat is owner-occupied or tial boat, or a floating business, the diesel engines, simply keep them boat, never on board rented-out)—or if it is hired out, boat will be examined to either the serviced and well-maintained and in the cratch or on the counter. or if people are invited on board 2017 Hire Boat Requirements (www. there should be no issues of smoky the boat in the course of a business boatsafetyscheme.org/boat-exami- exhausts until they are very long in Don’t run an engine (e.g. is it a café or shop). Details of nation/hire-boats) or the 2002 BSS the tooth indeed. when moored if the exhaust fumes are the BSS examination of boats for Standards (www.boatsafetyscheme. Fumes from both engines and blowing back inside, residential and domestic use are com/site/2002nonprivateonline_14. generators can be extremely dan- even if your batteries given at www.boatsafetyscheme.org/ asp) as stipulated by the navigation gerous. If you smell engine exhaust need charging. Wait boat-examination/boats-with-gas/ authority that registered your boat. fumes inside the cabin or a covered until the wind changes residential,-liveaboard-craft-and- deck area, stop the engine, and get or move to a different houseboats. Petrol and diesel out immediately—you may not have mooring. The BSS examination also in- ust as flammable as LPG, pet- the leeway you might expect to es- Don’t run petrol cludes checks on the storage of rol may be used in outboard cape the threat of carbon monoxide. generators where gas cylinders and the connections engines on cruisers, or in port- Petrol engines produce an exhaust exhaust fumes could to gas appliances. The diagram Jable generators (LPG engines with a CO concentration of about enter a nearby boat shows the BSS requirements for a and generators are also available, 50,000 parts per million (ppm)—and cabin. boat’s LPG system (the numbers but not widely used on inland wa- 1,000 ppm will kill you. Install a CO alarm, The numbers refer the system should be gas-tight (not refer to the chapters and sections terways boats). BSS examinations Engine or generator exhaust certified to the BS EN 50291-2 standard, test to the chapters and leaking) at all times, and not just for in the BSS Examination Checking of petrol and diesel engines cover fumes can blow back and fill the sections in the BSS Procedures, found at www.boat- all aspects of fuel storage and use cabin space with deadly levels of it routinely and never Examination Checking the BSS examination. For boat own- remove the batteries. Procedures, found at ers, the simplest way of having that safetyscheme.org/media/268789/ and, provided that they are correctly the gas within seconds. Marine ecp-private-boats-ed3_rev2_ installed, these fuels are unlikely to Accident Investigation Branch re- Other BSS information www.boatsafetyscheme. assurance is to install a bubble tester can be found at www. org/media/268789/ecp- and use it routinely. apr2015_public_final.pdf). Before pose a danger to boaters. However, ports over the last two decades show boatsafetyscheme. private-boats-ed3_rev2. However, it gets more complicat- an examination, prepare the boat to while the levels of exhaust smoke that at least 19 boaters have died and org and searching for apr2015_public_final.pdf ed because the use of a boat affects ensure that there is a supply of gas and gases from boat engines have another 24 have required medical at- ‘Outboard and portable BSS for residential its status under the gas legislation. for the examiner to undertake the not been found to contribute in any tention at hospital after inhaling CO combustion engines and boats Examiners who are not on the Gas checks, and that the LPG cylinder significant way to urban air pollu- in exhaust gases (www.gov.uk/maib- portable fuel systems’. www.boatsafetyscheme. Safe register are advised to ask in ad- locker is accessible (remove all loose tion, I cannot be the only boater who reports). org/boat-examination/ vance about the status of the craft. portable items, base protection boats-with-gas/ The examiner must be (LPG boats- mats, false floors etc. for temporary residential,-liveaboard- craft-and-houseboats BSS for boats used for business 2017: www. boatsafetyscheme.org/ boat-examination/hire- boats 2002: www.boatsafety scheme.com/site/2002non privateonline_14.asp Other BSS information about the use of LPG on boats can be found by visiting www. boatsafetyscheme.org Filling petrol containers safely www.youtube.com/watch?v=43X8H7ekkIw NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 NABO News Issue 4 July 2017

22 23 Talking Points

Thames locks have always allowed in unpowered about what happened and are keen boats—skiffs in Boulter's Lock, Windsor, on a to know about any further instances. Sunday afternoon in 1895, by E J Gregory CRT’s advice on how canoeists and others in small non-powered craft should approach locks on the water- ways is clear. It can be found on the CRT website at canalrivertrust.org. uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canoeing- and-kayaking/canoeing-safely. As long as you follow a few basic rules, canoeing is a safe sport and ac- cidents are rare. If you want to make the most out of the sport and get off to the best start, then a canoeing course will show you all the basic techniques. You can find a canoe club offering beginners courses at on the British Canoeing website. The following tips will also help to keep you safe while you’re out and about Photo: Charlotte Knight on the canal, with the key point be- ing the final one: he had approached CRT and both Novices should always be ac- Tunnels CRT and the British Canoeing said companied by an accomplished Some trials were carried out with An extract from the Canoes in locks that they were allowed to use locks canoeist. the British Canoe Union (BCU) meeting with elected as long as they were very careful! In Boating Reps to the CRT Wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid [now British Canoeing] a number of the end, I absolutely refused to allow Council in January 2017, while afloat. years ago to try to understand what and tunnels them in and was nastily abused as a titled: ‘Unpowered craft Check the local waterway safety minimum lighting for unpowered result. One of my crew said that on a in tunnels update’ regulations before you set out. craft was needed to ensure visibility. What are the rules? charter the previous week, they had Take care that your craft is suit- An 80 lumens white light at the front had a similar problem at Froxfield able for the waterway and that - Lock with two pairs of canoes lashed Where's that canoe? Foulridge Tunnel you are competent to use it. ack in May, Mike Rodd, together, who insisted they were al- Photo: Peter Fellows Locks, weirs and sluices can be Chairman of the Hungerford lowed to use the locks and indeed very dangerous. Don’t stay aboard Branch of the Kennet & had been travelling through them— your craft in a filling or emptying BAvon Canal Trust contacted and they had their own lock-key lock—carry it around. If it is too NABO: “Once again I have to re- to prove it. Again our skipper told heavy, use ropes to keep control port a problem with canoes. As we them under no circumstances could from the side. were entering Dunmill Lock with they join the boat in the lock. This I have contacted British Canoeing the Rose of Hungerford, a couple of is getting beyond a joke and really (BC) and we have agreed that it very lightweight kayaks approached needs addressing by CRT or some- would be helpful to engage boat- us (a youngish dad and a five- or six- one is going to get killed. CRT really ing organisations, the Trust, BC year old boy) and insisted that they does need to make a public state- and others in promoting clear and joined us in the lock. I was abso- ment on this.” straightforward information na- lutely clear (and as polite as I could Mark Tizard contacted CRT’s tionally. We agreed that a simple be) that this was simply not pos- Interim Head of Boating, Jon code of practice, similar to the rec- sible—not only because we would Horsfall, and he replied: ommendations above, promoted stand a good chance of killing them, “Thank you for raising the by all organisations would be help- but also because it was against CRT’s concerns of boaters following ful. Along with support from NABO ruling that canoes etc. could not use their experiences at Dunmill and and others, British Canoeing and the the locks. He argued with me, saying Froxfield. We were concerned to hear Trust are happy to lead.” NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 24 25 Talking Points: Canoes in Locks and Tunnels Talking Points

Comments from NABO Tunnels open for use by canoes and other small craft Councillors on canoeists in tunnels : Canal Tunnel Length “There have been several occa- (m) sions when we have entered a tunnel Ashby Canal Snarestone 228 and realised that there were canoe- Birmingham & Fazeley Curdworth 52 ists inside that we were not able to CRT’s advice to Birmingham Mainline Summit 102 canoeists see. It was only their shouting that Galton 122 alerted a crew member on the bow Caldon Canal Froghall 68 In tunnels, you must use that they were there. The steerer Leek 119 a forward facing bright light (such as a head- could not hear these shouts above the Chesterfield Canal Drakeholes 135 noise of the engine”. torch). Travel through in Digbeth Branch Ashted 102 groups of at least three. “Head-lights worn by canoeists Dudley Canal Gosty Hill 509 CRT’s criteria for are inadequate because boaters are Grand Union Canal Shrewley 396 canoes and other unable to detect the range between small unpowered their boat and the canoeist. The Huddersfield Narrow Scout 188 boats to pass through Diagram of tunnel profile: Barrie Arnold lights move around, particularly Kennet & Avon Canal Bath No.1 50 tunnels when worn by children, as the canoe- Bath No.2 54 (Last edited: 20 March The ‘blind spot’ in front of a narrowboat, in which a canoeist is invisible, ists look around. What is needed is Bruce 458 2017) obviously varies according to the length of the boat and the height of the a fixed white light on the front of the Leeds & Liverpool Gannow 511 steerer’s head above the boat roof, which in turn may be affected by the height The tunnel is less than canoe, and ideally a red light fixed to Llangollen Canal Ellesmere 80 of the tunnel. An estimate drawn up by Barrie Arnold, for a 43-foot narrowboat, 400 metres long, and the stern.” Whitehouses 174 shows that the canoeist is invisible to the steerer up to 75 feet in front of the there are good sight lines “I would not like to meet a canoe- Chirk 421 boat when there is restricted tunnel height, and the light from a head-torch through the tunnel ist in a tunnel—can you just imagine only becomes visible 25-30 feet in front of the boat in a higher tunnel. Oxford Canal Newbold 189 a wide-beam and a canoe meeting in The tunnel is 400—650 Monmouth & Brecon Ashford 343 metres long, and there Islington Tunnel!” was essential to comply with current take-up, but it is working. If there are good site lines AND a “Canoeists should not be allowed Peak Forest Canal Woodley 153 bylaws, and we would advocate a red was a significant increase in canoe- single-way traffic system into narrow tunnels, especially those Hyde Bank 285 light at the rear to make the canoeist ists registering then it may lead to is in place without a towpath, unless there is ei- Shropshire Union Canal Cowley 74 visible to following boats. BCU pro- greater conflict as the tunnel is used Passage through other ther a ‘guard boat’ at the entrances Staffs & Worcester Canal Dunsley 21 moted this to its members. This was by lots of trip and other boats. The tunnels is not permitted to warn approaching boats, or have Cookley 59 done alongside the re-issuing of the Trust is currently looking at whether unless it’s part of a CRT or British Canoeing volunteers list of tunnels where canoe passage unpowered craft could be permit- Stratford Canal (North) Brandwood 322 managed event which has that monitor canoes entering and been given permission— was permitted and where it was not, ted to use Islington Tunnel, but it is Trent & Mersey Canal Saltersford 368 leaving a tunnel.” exceptions may be made improved tunnel signage and clear longer so a traffic light scheme is be- Barnton 525 Have members experienced on the basis of local guidance that everyone travelling ing considered. This could benefit all Wolverhampton Level Coseley 329 problems with canoes in tunnels or risk assessments taking through a tunnel is strongly advised boaters using the tunnel. Worcester & Birmingham Edgbaston 97 locks? account of factors such to wear a lifejacket. The only other change to a tun- as potential smoke and The main concern is on narrow nel not listed on the website is at fumes, existence of towpath/grab chains etc. canals with tunnels where sight Foulridge Tunnel, which is part of lines are not clear, where conflict the new canoe coast-to-coast trail. between boats and canoes in tun- This tunnel is over a mile long and NABO’s Advice nels could result in canoes being has a traffic light controlled system crushed. Canoeing is not permitted that the canoeists must use. On a We have also had reports of problems with (maybe inexperienced?) through longer tunnels as a rule, but few of the large river locks (on the boaters passing in tunnels. it can be arranged as part of an or- Rivers Severn and Trent) where the ganised event. At Maida Hill Tunnel, portage is particularly high, canoe- Here is NABO’s advice: do not stop the boat as you will lose steerage and control, and then drift a registration scheme has been put ists are permitted through the locks. into the path of the oncoming boat. Do not use your bow-thruster to maintain the position of in place where canoeists can regis- There have been extensive trials on your boat —it will push the oncoming boat into the tunnel wall. Keep the boat on tickover to ter for permission to pass through these and there have not been any maintain steerage and pass the oncoming boat slowly. the tunnel. There has been limited problems.

NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 26 27 Talking Points Have Your Say

s CRT was being formed, Why is this important? British Waterways com- CRT currently relies on a £49m Letters to the Editor missioned a KPMG report annual grant, including £10m for Opinions expressed here are independent of NABO policy and Aregarding the future funding of hitting key performance indicators. statements made have not been verified as true. the Trust. As an independent charity This needs to be replaced, or sub- CRT could attract funding through stantially reduced, by 2026 when the private and corporate current grant ends and a new grant Towpath ‘fines’ tract or for trespass or some other civil wrong. donors. The report pre- is negotiated. The funds generat- The award (or not) of damages is at the dis- dicted that, by the end ed from monthly donations by the Let me offer a view on the issue of ‘fines’. I would cretion of the court. These are fundamental Friends of the 15-year DEFRA hoped-for 88,000 friends are to be be surprised if CRT has any powers to levy a fine. principles and CRT should be challenged from grant in 2026, charitable a substantial part of CRT’s income, Local Authorities can levy fines for specific by- that standpoint. It would be interesting to know giving would contribute leading to a lower Government law offences—litter and dog fouling for instance. if any £150 mooring ‘fines’ were actually col- reunited It seems to me that CRT may have rights with £9.7m to CRT’s income, grant. If CRT is unable to approach lected or if any were pursued in court. or around 8% of the total. this target, the outcome will be regard to unauthorised mooring, possibly un- der contract law and the law of trespass. Under Mark Tizard takes a Parliament was scepti- that less funding will be available to Car insurance cal, prudently reducing maintain the canal infrastructure, trespass, the aggrieved landowner can only sue Does NABO have a forum, guideline or source this to £7m. By 2026, it which will have an impact on boat- for damages and must prove a loss. Under con- look at CRT’s need for of advice or help for boat owners who want to was projected that there ing or it could lead to a higher than tract, an aggrieved party can only ask a court to insure their car where the boat is moored? In ‘friends’, using the title would be about 88,000 expected licence increase. uphold rights defined in the contract—assuming general, the ‘risk’ address is where the car is friends, contributing a valid contract exists. ‘Liquidated damages’ (ef- of a now-defunct social mainly kept, and this can be as little as 51% of £4.3m a year. Friends reunited fectively a ‘fine’ for a breach) are not enforceable the time. There does not appear to be any set However, charitable There are 33,000 licensed boats, under ‘consumer’ contracts. This latter point was media site guideline or rule that underwriters follow. Some giving is a congested mar- maybe 50,000 boaters. I am sure that the grounds on which many banks were required want the 51% address, others use the ‘land’ ad- ket and there are about some boaters are among the cur- to refund unlawful bank charges—charges which dress as the main/risk address. Then there are 160,000 voluntary organisations and rent 16,000 friends, but this may be were effectively fixed penalties for a breach of different interpretations of the phrase ‘perma- charities all looking for donations; a very small number. By and large, contract. Of course, CRT, claiming to be able to nent address’. It’s pot luck which underwriter you some with substantial marketing boaters feel that they already con- impose a fine where no such power exists, would choose. If you have a number of members who budgets. Could CRT compete with tribute substantially to financing constitute the criminal offence of obtaining have encountered variation in car insurance, I’d the likes of the RSPCA, Save the CRT, through their licences and money by deception. An employee of a contrac- be happy to join and collate a group response to Children, WWF etc., when only 31% marina/mooring fees. In the recent tor attempting to extract money could have his collar felt by the local constabulary. Anyone who selected underwriters. of people who give to charity do so licensing review, NABO suggested Sean Haacke, NB Chough by monthly donation? that there should be an option for is asked to pay a towpath fine should perhaps call the police! With a fanfare, CRT set the tar- boaters to donate an amount, using I name this boat … get at 100,000 friends and engaged gift aid, to a boater’s fund that could John Hancox an external fundraising organisation be jointly administered by the CRT If you have spotted a boat name that made you to recruit them. After the first two Welfare Officer and the Waterways Mark Tizard replies: I fully agree with your smile, please let me have a photo to use in fu- years, the fundraiser had gone bust Chaplaincy. But there is also an sentiments—I believe this would the case for ture issues. Here’s one spotted by Brian Holt. and CRT moved to recruit its own opportunity here for CRT’s manage- any overstaying £25 penalty on visitor moor- ‘chuggers’, at an hourly rate of £9 plus ment and boating organisations to ings, unless CRT can demonstrate that it is commission, to raise funds at popu- do some serious thinking about how a reasonable charge. The worrying thing, as lar canal sites. After three years, CRT might befriend their customer these fines spread across the system, will be the CRT had around 10,000 friends, base in a way that would encourage temptation to outsource their collection. The but an accumulated loss of £2.5m. them to become ‘friends’. This might Olympic Park and the London long-term moor- According to the 2014/15 accounts, not necessarily be through the cur- ing trial both feature £150 penalties, reduced to 16,000 friends had been recruited rent friends’ model, but it could be £75 on prompt payment, with both collections from 430 million visits to the canals. through a process that is specific to outsourced. Meanwhile, corporate donations are boaters and boating organisations. progressing well with, for example, After all, it is in both of our inter- John Hancox adds: The key point is the legal £500,000 from Help for Heroes and ests that funding for CRT continues basis for the ‘fine’ or ‘charge’. Only The Crown £250,000 from the Postcode Lottery. to grow. Friends reunited, yes, that can impose a fine via a court. Private interests would be it. can only sue for damages—either under con- NABO News Issue 4 July 2017 NABO News Issue 4 July 2017