Alan de Enfield

Had you asked for moorers perceptions and experiences of the marina I could have understood your question. You asked only for the price from 'any' experienced marina moorer.

It is similar scenario with a Car MOT & the dashboard warning lights - if they are not fitted you don't need them, if they are fitted then they must all work (no blown bulbs etc) No-Workee, No MOT ! Full length NB's would not be easy to make compliant, but boats up to 20m (66 feet) can very simply be made ColRegs compliant, they aren't because it is 'inconvenient'. You can mount a 'White' and a bi-colour on a short pole (say 1.5 metres) fixed to your roof. Removable when not needed. Add a White setern light and that pretty much it.

Why ? I don't understand ........ do you think an 'experienced marina moorer' will get different prices to the ones they give you ?

You neighbours say the same about you.

I was fortunate enough to retire aged 47 some 20+ years ago and don't need 'support' from anyone. I spent many years in industry 'fighting my corner' against some very entrenched Luddites and in the majority of instances my point was eventually proved valid, I believe that the increasing implementaion of the RCD / RCR on the Inland Waterways will also eventually be seen to be fact. All I am doing is ensuring that those who are unaware of the facts are educated so they are capable of making an informed decision when faced with buying or building a boat with, or without the necessary certification. I do not say you 'must have it', simply, that if you choose not to be compliant there can be ramifications, and. very few of us can see what the future holds for us. This choice came back to bite a lady recently who had, without knowing the implications, decided to build her boat and ignored the RCD. Due to ill health she found the need to sell it just two years after completion and when the broker told her it was illegal to sell it, then had to engage a surveyor and get a PCA at the cost of some £1000's. (Thread on the forum)

I'm sure you remember this thread - you posted several times. This is where a forum member stated he had been involved in 4 court cases against manufacturers for non RCD / RCR compliance and they were fined 'substantial sums'. The rules are progressively being applied to Inland Waterway boat manufacturers.

Someone who tells lies needs to have a very good memory, and you obviously don't. When I suggested this some time ago you posted that 'yes' you had had several 'handles' but had used PD for some time now.

At a time (several over the years)

You can try all you like (you have failed previously irrespective of the many names you have had on the forum and your phoenix like re-appearances) but I will not take the bait. The RCD / RCR is written down, easily found and the facts are the facts - however much you wish it was not so, and did not apply to the inland waterways, it does. Tough.

I have no axe to grind either way, suffice to say that the RCD (despite your wishing that it didn't) DOES apply to all recreational watercraft. be they on rivers, ponds, canals or the sea. Within the last few months there have been 3 examples of different posters on this forum being told by brokers that they are unable to sell their boats for them without the correct RCD / RCR paperwork. Each time I comment on the RCD I say that the choice is down to the boater involved, but, they should only make the decision based on knowledge of the facts and not the opinion of those who are ignorant & who say 'don't worry about it, they'll never catch you'. With regard to Colecraft and others, just because they are 'big companies' producing 100s of boats a year does not make them infallible. I'll write it in simple bullet points so you can follow the argument : 1) They claim their boats are manufactured in accordance with the RCD / RCR 2) The RCD / RCR states that the guidelines of ISO 10087 must be applied. 3) ISO 10087 details the format that the WIN must follow 4) Does the Colecraft WIN format comply with the required format ? 5) If it does not then Colecraft cannot sign the Certificate of Compliance, or, if they do it is fraudulent.

Or, even ask your mooring provider, they may even have facility to 'drop-it-in' almost straight onto your mooring.

Then their format is not legally acceotable as complying with the RCD The HIN / CIN is now the WIN (Watercraft Identification Number) It is your choice whether to buy it or not, but certain marinas / brokers are tightening up on the need for correct RCD certifications and compliance. If the trend continues you may have difficulty seling in the future.

You are correct, but I didn't go near any towpaths - dangerous places .........................

It would certainly (for me) mean further investigation. The CIN / HIN format has been laid down since 1998 and an RCD compliant boat must meet the standard format, if the boat predates 1998 then the format could be 'anyhow'. What age is the boat, who built it, was it a DIY fit-out ? Have you seen the original certificate of compliance ? Have you see tne original Bill of Sale ?

We were near Edgbaston yesterday - does that count ?

............. but, you probably won't.

Until then you'll have to put up with some of our trip .................................

Examples from the last few weeks : Police step up Tyseley canal safety measures as dad is robbed at gunpoint in front of daughter Police step up Tyseley canal safety measures as dad is robbed at gunpoint in front of daughter - Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk) Hammer-wielding thug tells cyclist: 'I'm having your bike' in towpath terror Hammer-wielding thug tells cyclist: 'I'm having your bike' in towpath terror - Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk) Jogger throws Just Eat cyclist over handlebars along Selly Oak canal towpath Jogger throws Just Eat cyclist over handlebars along Selly Oak canal towpath - Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk) Timeline of terror on Birmingham canal towpaths Timeline of terror on Birmingham canal towpaths as cyclist wrestled for bike fears 'no safe' route - Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk) 'Do you want to see the fishes' - gang laugh as doctor pushed into Selly Oak canal 'Do you want to see the fishes' - gang laugh as doctor pushed into Selly Oak canal - Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk)

They are a 'budget' builder & there are better quality builders, so it all depends on your budget - do you want a Trabant , a Mecedes or a Bentley ? On the subject of fitting out, have you investigated the Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR) what is legally required and what the implications are if you do not comply. There was recently an example of a 'private fitting out' and due to illness the lady needed to sell the (2 year old) boat - the boat could not be sold and so she has had to have a surveyor PCA (Post Construction Assessment) at the cost of several £1000's. You build as you see fit but you do need to be aware of what happens if the boat is non-compliant.

And can you test the fuse ? Do you have a multimeter ? Is so, set it to the Ohm** scale, touch the two probes together and note the reading, now touch each end of the fuse (one probe on each end) and see it the reading is the same, if it is that means the fuse is OK (not blown). ** set the dial to the highest number (maybe 2000 ?) on the scale that show this symbol : Ω If you get a no reading or "OL" then the fuse is blown and needs replacing. If the fuse blows again you have a wiring problem, or have replaced the pump with one that requires thicker wiring / bigger fuse. DO NOT just replace the old fuse with a bigger one. Find the problem first.

Must be a full 'gallop' around, tricky things these mobile keys !

It could be an inline fuse close to the pump, just follow the wiring as far as you can. It could be a fuse or an MCB on your electrical panel / "fuse box" Do you have a list of switches marked up "pump". "bilge pump", "tunnel light" etc - they might be 'fused' switches, do they have red lights alongside the switches ? There are so many possibilities that photos of you panel would help.