Quaffer

CRT do indeed have all the locations of Visitor Mooring on their internal GIS system and a lot more such as the location of permanent towpath moorings,offside moorings,backwater moorings and Winter Moorings. These are used by their Data Collectors and any Volunteer Mooring Rangers to record boat index sightings using the systems GPS coordinates. Craft Licencing will then use the data to see whether any further action is necessary. It would be helpful if the Visitor Mooring locations were shown on the Canal Reference Map,maybe someone on here connected with the Navigation Advisory Group could raise this request with CRT. If a boater is concerned that they may get into a dispute with CRT about their mooring,I've always found the best solution is to contact Craft Licencing to discuss the issue,rather than wait for the enforcement process to kick in.

Also the closest mooring for the impressive Bartons Arms

How right you were.After a warm spell with little rain that long stringey weed had infested even the centre of the Sleaford Navigation and after 3 trips down the weed hatch in the first 200 yards ,we beat a retreat.Maybe trying to navigate down to South Kyme at the end of June was a stupid idea in the first place.Next attempt will be one April after a cold and wet winter.

...and that is what happens .It often takes two years and maybe accounts for many boats in the London area which don't seem to move much. I'm sure CRT have all the stats,but these days they choose not to publish this.

I believe that Cowbridge Lock which gives access to the Maud Foster Drain is self operated,with chains to open the upper mitre gates (boat hook to close) and an upper guillotine gate . All locking mechanisms use a Watermate key.

I hope that goes well for you. I'm doing much the same next week. I've already ticked 20 ,although nobody has ever commented on my Silver Propeller plaque on the side of my boat. 🙄 By the end of next week ,hopefully up to 24. I hope Black Sluice Lock doesn't go the same way as Welches Dam Lock and Harlam Hill Lock (on the Ancholme). I'm also never sure if Fulney Lock is working ,maybe no one is using it ?

Talking to John Line this morning ,the problem at Black Sluice Lock is worse than expected .Divers are looking at the damaged wall below the waterline,and repairs will begin shortly.The lock will be out of use for the rest of the "season" and beyond September . Sad news ,I suppose EA will be making a formal announcement at some stage. That's a Silver Propeller location that will escape my attention.😒

CRT are applying this methodology in London and Southest region to cases of improper mooring https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/tackling-improper-mooring-and-make-waterways-safer If no body is onboard a yellow notice is attached with a tick list of the following issues: Mooring ...in triplicate too close/under a bridge to railings with a pin in the towpath obstructing a safety ladder on a lock landing on a facilities landing on a no mooring section Other (see below) [details are written in ] I know this doesn't address overstaying,but that is a judgement made by the CRT Licence Support Officers (formerly Enforcement) after reviewing the boat movement pattern and the need to demonstrate "bona fide navigation" CRT focus on the breach of the T & C's .

After all the phone calls and chasing around,if we finally make it along this navigation I will certainly posts up some photos. There is a Vlog from Perseverance on You Tube from last year which shows what is possible,and this is another Silver Propeller tick so needs to be done or the IWA will get upset !

That's been a terrific help,many thanks.I've spoken to John and he is indeed operating Black Sluice Lock temporarily. He told me the problem EA have is that the local River Inspector has retired and there is recruitment taking place for a replacement.That seems the reason for the inoperative phone numbers and why CRT lockkeepers in Boston are not aware of what's going on. However he also told me Black Sluice Lock has a problem right now with one of the walls and he is awaiting news on when it will be operable again.Hopefully later in the month when I want to make the passage ,and thanks to you I now know who to contact.

Thanks,that's both helpful and hopful ,so I will keep trying to book the EA lock keeper. I spoke to the CRT lock keeper at Grand Sluice who told me EA operate Black Sluice Lock and CRT don't now have any up to date contact details which got me worried. I'm not going to give in !!

Thanks for the invite but I'm already booked with Daryl on a tide window that starts on July 12th .At this stage I dont know if anyone else will be joining,so I could also be in the same position ! Enjoy your passage . Thanks for the suggestions.You are quite right,the EA helpline was not helpful at all.They just wanted to sell me a licence for a navigation for which I can't book a passage !

Have any forum members navigated through Black Sluice Lock in Boston recently ? I am planning visiting this navigation in late June and am getting concerned about not being able to book a passage through this lock via The Environment Agency. The EA have a lock booking phone number 01552 785041 which should be available Mon-Fri 9am -5pm but this number is permanetly engaged ,and I have tried it on many occasions.I have contacted the EA help desk to report this but was told to contact the Port of Boston who then correctly batted that back said that EA operate The Black Sluice Lock. .I have booked my passages through Boston Grand Sluice with CRT and spoken to the lock keeper there .He told me that the previous EA lock keeper at Black Sluice called Sam has left the EA and EA have not told CRT who is replacing him or any operational information such as new contact numbers.I was given a landline and mobile number that in the past were used to contact Sam ,but nether number was answered. I have tried to contact the EA River Inspector on 07781 390128 (a number which also appears in the Nicholson navigation notes),but again this number is seemingly permanently engaged. Can anyone give some guidance ? Many thanks in advance.

Thanks for the post about your voyage to Cobblers Lock Mrs M ,the photos and your advice on water depth.That was some very useful information. I'm heading down there at the end of June in a 40ft narrowboat with a 1'10'' draft in an attempt to tick some more Silver Propeller locations ,so after the Sleaford Navigation heading to Maud Foster and Black Sluice Navigation (AKA South Forty Foot Drain) Then across The Wash to Wisbech to tick some Middle Level locations.

My last time on a night out in Middlewich was July 2019,so this recommendation comes with the usual "things may have changed " caveat but four of us had a good session in The White Bear where we asked a few locals the curry house question.They pointed us towards Blue Ginger further down Wheelock Street which was busy (normally a positive sign) and we all enjoyed a good sit down meal.They also do takeaways. Hope this helps