Captain Zim

Once again, thanks Nigel. I think, for the purposes I'm interested in, that being cruising licences for boats, I'm clear on it now. My summary was sweeping but again, I wanted to put it in a way that might be relevant to most users of the canal, though I accept not all. You are quite right that when I refer to charges, I am specifying licence fees and not all the other bits they could justifiably charge for. Cheers ps my reference to conditions attached to licenses in the '95 act meant above and beyond those in the act itself. In the way thatuch legislation, indeed much pre-dating 95 has wording such as 'the authority may impose such conditions as they see fit etc etc' The fact that this was not included despite being common practice elsewhere says a lot as well I think.

Thanks Nigel. So in essence: The need for charges as allowed by the 62 Act were superseded by the '95 Act There is no provision for conditions to be attached in the '95 Act Any conditions made under the '62 Act are meaningless by virtue of the fact try refer specifically to charges (money earned) which is now earned in a different way. Correct?

Nigel, I'm sure you've covered it previously but what of this in the '62 Act (8)The services and facilities referred to in subsection (3) of this section include, in the case of the British Waterways Board, the use of any inland waterway owned or managed by them by any ship or boat.

Thanks. Apparently it's a recent decision to do with unspecified 'incidents'. But I'm not sure how well known or publicised. In terms of the existing boats I think they are exempt

Hi speaking to them today they stated that there is now a weight restriction on the canal. This is set at 15 tons. I asked whether they meant gross tonnage or displacement. I'm sure they must mean gross tonnage since otherwise they would be restricting it to all but fairly small vessels. But I haven't had a reply. Does anyone on here know? Ta

That's a good question. What are the rules of salvage in terms of claiming back costs? I'm not sure I understand what that's got to do with it? CRT are the authority and regardless of the ownership of the boat, they are best placed to float it and get it out of the way. Worry about the details afterwards. Like I said, a perfect example of prevarication and long excuses for doing nothing.

Watching this post unfold is like a perfect example of everything that is wrong in modern Britain. A boat has sunk. On all fronts the common sense approach is to float it and get it out of the way. Instead, we have multiple counter arguments for why this cannot happen. It is fascinating but also ridiculous. I might adapt it for a farcical play. I'll change the names of course, to avoid embarrassment.

Off the canals

So who is it that is agitating for a change of use of the canal? I take your point that the stats may be similar but that doesn't tell the whole story does it? The real point is whether those new few are the ones setting the tone. From what I see when I pass through, that is definitely the case.

One only has to take a quick stroll through the centre of Berkhamsted to see why the residents no longer want canal boats spoiling their town by having the temerity to use the canal. The fact that Berkhamsted used to be an important port on the waterway seems not to matter to them. But then since most of the current residents only moved there from London within the past five or six years, why would they know anything about the towns history eh?

The old signs disappeared around September I think. First they were there. Then they were on the ground, then...vanished. They used to say no overnight mooring. Do the new ones simply say no mooring? Either way, they've always been there and even then I don't think many people minded the odd over nighter. Maybe it just because it's winter and busy that things look worse?

Could the service of a section 8 notice be the first anyone hears of their breach of the t's and c's? I am only wondering as that would give very limited time for response in the first example you gave.

I think that was Alf's point. CRT are good at banging on about the 14 day rule but nowhere do they highlight the caveat to that rule that longer stays may be permitted depending on circumstances

I used unfair as a simple term. I think, or hope, most would realise that we are talking about actions contrary to the law. If we can't even agree on the principle that it would be nice to fight as a unit then I suppose that sums things up pretty well anyway and the idea is a waste of time. In fact, do you know what, forget I even mentioned it. I'm more than capable of defending myself in a court of law so why do I care anyway? I'm sure typing words on a keyboard will bring about the changes people seem to want.

Well off the top of my head I would suggest something like: approach competent law firm and work in partnership to devise agreed understanding for association members.

I think it was earlier in this thread (apologies if not) that someone mentioned that due to the loss of legal aid, challenging a decision is very difficult. I am not a member of an association but I would consider joining one who provided some kind of assistance to members in this way. In other words, I would happily chip in a sum each year to go to a pot to help those who are suddenly on the receiving end of unfair enforcement. I stress unfair of course, and this wouldn't be hard to determine. Between us all a small donation would raise quite a lot to ensure that CRT are challenged when they need to be. Maybe we could do it through canalworld rather than an association?

You could do what the CRT tug near us has just done and smash through the ice at full speed. Apparently it's acceptable behaviour

I have a roving traders permit for the canal. I've also emailed the EA before about trading on the Thames. To my knowledge there are still only two options for registering a launch on the Thanes: private or for hire. The EA themselves told me neither is applicable for trading in the same way as we do on the canal towpath. Not only that but due to the nature of the ownership of the land along the Thames, you would likely be trading on either private property or would be subject to street trading regulations from the local authority. Having said all this, if it has changed recently I would be really interested in knowing since the gold licence starts from January and I could still get in for one now.

One thing I realised whilst staying in family houses over the Christmas period is that in a house, or many modern houses, there is no connection with the weather outside and the conditions in the house. I found it really disconcerting and it took me a while to realise it is because on the boat, even when lovely and warm, there is a real feeling of being part of what is going on outside. The rain on the roof, the wind making us sway every so gently.

Maybe if they are that badly decomposed they have been in there a long long time. So not only is there a serial killer on the loose, he is likely to be three hundred years old. Frankly, I'm shocked the expert didn't pick up on that additional fact.

Yes I think in one of my early emails whilst this was still a prototype I asked about the efficiency and they never got back to me on it. I haven't read through the new website fully. What is the efficiency? I suppose the only advantage is that the fuel can be anything (within reason) so it could be cheaper in that sense.

http://www.greenturbine.eu/en/home.php I emailed them a few years ago and they've sent updates ever since. Seems a genuine product.

So how about the south in or around Tavistock? How far upriver from Bideford or Barnstaple is it possible to take a large craft (say 60x20x7)?

Thanks. I have sailed a bit and a good few years back I used to sail and live on a 27' folkboat. I'm not a novice although admittedly I never took any formal qualifications either. But I know how to use a chart and am fairly competent. I suppose I was wondering if it were possible to take a permanent mooring for a large size boat (60-70') and use her occasionally for local jaunts to moor up in isolation and read the paper. I've been looking at places like Saltash or further inland.

Thanks Graham. I know it's not strictly canals but I know there are a few on here who boat elsewhere so I thought it was worth asking.