Up-Side-Down

To be totally accurate you can still buy a product that is the same as the old red diesel – i.e. with a high sulphur content and less well refined. It is intended for the marine market and standby generators and the like. Not generally available at the pumps but when I last asked it was still available from my supplier at a coupe of pence more than standard gas oil. It is generally reckoned that at concentrations of up to 12% there isn't a problem with biodiesel attacking rubber seals in the fuel supply components of older diesel equipment.

Sadly FAME-free is no longer available as refineries are compelled to meet Government targets with 12% biodiesel in the frame for 2024, although actual % biodiesel can vary consignment to consignment as it is averaged out across total production.

Loved Bayko. Probably why grew up to be a builder!

Well that's 1100 tons delivered to Knostrop Wharf in three loads. John Branford has had instructions from CRT not to load more than 6' 6" (representing 350 tons) which certainly knocks the gilt off the gingerbread in more ways than six. It also removes any profit from the operation. Bit of finger pointing going at the moment with CRT maintaining that there was an 'incident' on the first trip up the canal involving a rowing skiff below Knostrop Lock, close to the Leeds Rowing's Stourton Boathouse. As we crept by loaded, a boat had to move out of the channel and the crew hold onto the trees beside the bank. On our return, we had similar experiences on four separate occasions, but these have not been labelled 'incidents'! The cynical might see this as a way of CRT diverting attention away from the dredging issues, while others might question the wisdom of establishing a rowing club with its launching pontoon sticking way out into the deep water channel on the approach to Knostrop Lock: an area that will be required for winding once Stourton Wharf is established just downstream. Whilst I'm all in favour of CRT broadening its appeal to a diverse selection of waterway users, there remains a question in my mind as to whether 500 ton barges and flimsy rowing skiffs are compatible ............ and should they be sharing the same stretch of commercial waterway? Shades of canoes and tunnels methinks!

One oil barge! 500 ton barges running light at 350 tons due to lack of dredging just isn't going to cut it on the A&C. John Branford will be loading a 350 ton load at Hull tomorrow which is all that will get through the 6'9" depth below Lemonroyd and sections of the canal Lemonroyd to Knostrop, as we discovered to our cost last week! Because of his dedication and commitment to carrying by water, John will persevere for a while but clearly there is no profit in loads of this size. It's now all down to how quickly CRT can give a reliable minimum 8' 2" draught throughout the navigation as per the advertised depth. They would appear to be currently in contravention of their obligations under the 1968 Transport Act (amended 2102) Section 105 which states: 105 Maintenance of F1... waterways. (1) With a view to securing the general availability of the commercial and cruising waterways for public use, it shall be the duty of the Waterways Board [F2and of Canal & River Trust, in relation to the waterways comprised in their respective undertakings], subject to the provisions of this section— (a) to maintain the commercial waterways in a suitable condition for use by commercial freight-carrying vessels; and ............ Oh, and just for the record (taken from their website): Canal & River Trust published dimensions Goole to tail of Leeds Lock: Length: 200’ 2” Beam: 20’ 0” Headroom: 11’ 9” Draught: 8’ 2” – cill of Leeds Lock Castleford Lock is limiting due to the curve of the lock chamber. Heck Road Bridge is now lower than Stubbs Bridge (investigations underway), which was previously limiting. A height of 3.6m (11ft 9") at Heck should be seen as maximum at the crown during normal water.

Maybe a trip up Locks 38–21 on the Forth & Clyde Canal would help to put things into perspective for them. Although operated with great expertise by Scottish Canals bank staff, there is always an awful lot of water on the foredeck (tugs) or the cratch cover (other configurations) for boats over 50ft. There are no ground paddles, no bywashes and this being Scotland it is rare that the reservoirs on the top pound are not brimming full! These large locks are simply filled by humungous gate paddles that require very delicate operation until fully submerged ...........

PM sent. Thanks a lot!

This is really a point of information that I'm passing on on behalf of the sand barge skippers. John Branford and his son Jonathan have been thrilled to see the positive reaction from leisure boaters as we passed up the canal and river sections of the Aire & Calder navigations from Goole to Leeds. The clapping, cheering and positive messages over the radio have been really heart-warming and a vindication of nearly five years hard work to get the show on the road. The last thing they want to do is undermine all this good will so have asked me to share a wee detail re mooring: Several of the bridges on both the top (Lemonroyd to Leeds) and bottom (Goole to Ferrybridge) canal sections are low for a barge returning empty in ballast, meaning that to get the wheel box through unscathed, skippers are having to open the throttle wide 50 yds or so before the bridge hole. This brings the stern down and reduces air draught (yes that word again!) by approx 6". It's therefore a bad thing for boats to be mooring close to bridge holes where there is little headroom. So please don't think this is a case of bad boatmanship .......... it's just a harsh necessity, especially as the headroom in several instances appears to be actually reducing due to mining subsidence. If a rumoured backload comes to fruition it will be both a lot more profitable than carrying 200 tons of water ballast and will also reduce the need to use the engine power to pull the stern down for bridge holes.

Thanks very much for trying ......... and for drawing our attention to the Telegraph item. Too late for me/John Branford to get a copy but if anyone has a hard copy John would very much appreciate it for his archives which stretch back to when he first started carrying on Adamant nearly 60 years ago.

This is the bit of kit you'd need Matty! Left to Right: rudder position indicator; rudder operating control (on a long enough lead to reach the guard railings outside the wheelbox to answer calls of nature and the like!) fixed joystick rudder control.

Spot on! John Branford is asking for a link to the Torygraph article. Please could you post it. Ta.

Started unloading at 08.45 and left Leeds empty at 13.15 carrying 200 tons water ballast to get under A&C bridges. Grounded seriously twice and arrived back on Goole moorings for 20.30. Next load from Albert Dock, Hull due to be loaded Wednesday with Farndale departing Goole on Tuesday. Loads to be limited to 350 tons while CRT make a few ‘important decisions’ which, hopefully, will be guided by reference to the Transport Act 1968, Section 105, amended 2012.

I was expecting them to make a call to a mobile hydraulic fitter such as Pirteck instead of attempting a repair with gaffer tape ......... or going on the colour it might in fact have been insulating tape. I kid you not ........

Thank you for that. A link to this morning’s YP will find the piece and the videos I was on about.. I guess I’ve just lost track of time being the boat for several days and forgotten it was in fact yesterday that the YP reporter and photographer rode with us to Pollington Lock

I think that’s exactly what we’ve concluded! Nice write up of the run in the Yorkshire Post this morning including a great video of John Branford. Tacked onto this vid is footage taken this afternoon of our load being lightened. Once again I’m afraid I’m technologically challenged by being unable to get the link onto my iPad but googling Yorkshire Post Branford Barge Owners and going for an item showing today’s date will do it. Someone posting the link again would be much appreciated! The YP has been a great supporter of this traffic and instrument in making it finally happen as has the local MP.