howardang

The ship is now berthed in King George Dock. It is normal to turn off the lock before entering the lock stern first at certain stages of the tide, which is what she appears to have done, so I assume that she is ok with no issues. Howard Howard

I agree and I would also suggest that most requirements for reversing on canals are short distances where the faff of rigging and recovering a bucket would be more trouble than it is worth and cause more issues . Like others have said, practice makes perfect using the tiller and throttle without the need for additional complications. Howard

One crew member is reported missing from Solong. The rest are safe but some are injured. Howard

Much more likely a failure to keep a good lookout by the bridge watch. Howard

Autopilots maintain a steady course only and changes in course are usually done by rotation of a control knob. Any course alterations and speed changes are carried out by the OOW (Officer of the watch). Speed is usually controlled separately either by bridge control of the engine(s) or sometimes by the engine room telgraph. Howard

Stena Immaculate was at anchor waiting to enter the Humber. Solong was proceeding to Rotterdam, passing the Humber entrance on a voyage from Scotland. Solong was doing 16 knots at the time of the collision with no speed reduction or no apparent course alteration prior to the collision. It is possible that she was on autopilot but not yet confirmed in any reports I have seen. Edited Howard

Sorry to hear this. I worked with Bob on a number of projects and I was always impressed at his depth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the project in hand. He will be sorely missed. Howard

In all the years that had shares in Ownerships boats with corner baths I can’t remember ever using the bath! It was often a positive selling point for potential new owners who liked the idea. The bifold front doors, however, were useful for access and also made a great feature in hot weather. Howard

How long is a piece of string? Boats are built to individual plans by and large so dimensions can vary, together with internal obstructions which may hinder access. Maybe you would be better waiting until you have bought a boat and then measure up all the doorways to see what can and can't fit. Howard

I note that you seem reluctant to identify the marina. if you have concerns about the issues you mentioned I would have thought that you would have moved to one where you might feel they provide the safety equipment you feel is missing. Howard

Have you taken up your concerns with the Marina Manager? It is also difficult for others to comment on perceived issues about an unnamed marina - I note that you haven't named the marina in question - and it might be worth naming them so any other members of this forum who may be moored there can comment. Howard

I am not a marine engineer but For what it's worth, in my early days at sea I sailed on ships which were fitted with Doxford 5 cylinder main engines and can distinctively remember the views of the engine tops with hoses exactly as shown in the video - in fact even more obvious because the numbered guards were not fitted on the ships I remember - St John and St Thomas. I can also vouch for the engine noise which was very evocative and took me back to my early days as a Deck Cadey. Howard

Like many on here I don’t do facebook. If you consider it interesting for a wider audience to see it it would have been I think there many other members here who also don’t use it. It might have been better (courteous?) to make an accessible post. Howard

An indication of why you are asking might help, and as a new member why not introduce yourself? Howard

That's good news. A better result than a previous ship "Lagic" which went aground while turning using the turning basin at Sutton Bridge in 2000 and after a few tides being wedged across the river it broke its back and was a total constructive loss. https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/looking-back-ship-stuck-lincolnshire-5282281 Howard

Not surprisingly, sanding and either Danish Oil or varnish will have it looking like new. Howard

If you are serious about combining offshore cruising with inland waterways my suggestion would be, before you waste time, energy and mony on building a compromise vessel, is to get some experience of offshore conditions and requirements (and limitations. You mention certain requirements but you don't speak of any experience of conditions offshore, and the demands required of a boat and crew. Have you any knowledge of realistic conditions which you may find and level of experience required to be confident in venturing offshore. This sounds very much like a pipe-dream which will never come to reality. Much better to take the earlier advice to buy a narrow boat and spend some time exploring inland waterways and then see if your dream exists. If so, get some experience in offshore boats - possibly by taking a few RYA courses, before wasting money on what might be an unrealistic pipe-dream. Howard

I'll leave it to others more familiar with the RN to comment on the competence of present day RN Officers. I know it's amusing to poke fun at the cause of the incident, but I have been round ships long enough to know that occasional mechanical failures do occur which are not the fault of those on the bridge and I will wait to see what the findings of the ongoing inquiry are before making any comments. I can sympathise with all those who were on the bridge at the time and for their sake I do hope it is found to be a mechanical failure. Howard

I wouldn’t mind betting that pillows were. I have attended over 20 such AGM’s over the years and pillos and duvets wee always a main agenda ite taking up a significant portion of the time available. Even so, I think that the annual get together/AGM is well worth attending if possible and gives you an opportunity to meet up with your fellow joint owners. I always found them very enjoyable. Howard

Make a pretty decent bow fender too!🙂 Howard

for what it’s worth, I do wonder if you have really thought about the actual small details of day to day living. For example, where does the toilet waste go? If not allowed directly overboard (which is the norm in most canal and river locations) how do you get rid of it ( tank?) and how frequently.? Ditto with day to day waste? Ditto, diesel, coal, fresh water replenishment? Groceries if you are on a swinging mooring? All the above can be difficult/impossible in bad weather, at a time when you might also be going stir crazy because you are stuck on board for the same reason. You don’t mention if you are used to boats but if not you really ought to try to get some practical knowledge before making such a serious move like the boat purchase you are suggesting. Howard

Please elaborate on what pee regulations are. I hope I haven’t been breaking the rules without knowing about them. The original way of boating also included burying waste in holes dug beneath hedges, but thank goodness we have moved on from those days. Howard

I am saddened when I read about both P.O. and Cunard in this context and contrast the 2 present day organisations with the original companies that I remember fondly from my earlier seagoing days. I was fortunate to have spent a number of years working as a deck officer with Cunard and can still remember the high standards which both Cunard and P&O maintained; two highly respected British companies now sad shadows of a previous existence. Howard