howardang

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

MV is certainly very widely used worldwide for motor vessels but I have seldom seen it to refer to inland craft. Howard

For general interest, my 1918 edition copy of Bradshaw's "Canals and Navigable Rivers of England and Wales", written by Henry de Sallis, has the following extract taken from a longer section describing different types of vessels both narrow and wide beam, which I hope may be helpful:- quote:- "Principal types of vessels used in Inland Navigation. a) non sailing vessels "Narrow" boats or "monkey" boats are by far the most numerous class of vessels engaged in inland navigation. They are from 70ft to 72ft long by from 6ft 9in. to 7ft 2in. beam, and draw from 8in. to 11in. of water when empty, loading afterwards about 1in. to 1 ton. The ordinary type of long-distance travelling narrow boat carries from 25 to 30 tons, and is built with rounded bilges. The narrow boats in use on the Severn and in a few other localities for short-distance traffic are built with square bilges, and carry up to 40 tons.This latter class of boat requires more power to haul, as it offers more resistance to the water, and also has the disadvantage of not being able to "carry a top", as the boatmen say, that is they become top heavy in loading sooner than a boat with rounded bilges. A modification of the narrow boat is found in Yorkshire, where is a type of short boat about 58ft. long by 7ft. beam, made for the purpose of passing the short locks of the Huddersfield Broad Canal and Calder and Hebble Navigation and the narrow locks of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. Another small type of narrow boat is found on the Shropshire Union Canals, being made to pass the small locks between Wappenshall junction and Trench; these boats measure 70ft. long by 6ft 2ins. wide, and draw, when empty, about 12.5 in., and when loaded with 17.5 tons, about 2ft. 8.5ins. ..." Howard

Have a look at the MCA small passenger boat code link below which covers most aspects of such vessels. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ffd6917d3bf7f65d4220a58/Inland_Waters_Small_Passenger_Boat_Code_COP13.pdf Howard

And what about that new fangled electric light stuff? Oil lamps are the way to go, and as for hot water and central heating? Work of the devil I say! Howard

Despite some critisms to the contrary, over the years since around 2004 I have always found Peachments helpful and if necessary willing advise on problems and to visit our share boat to sort out issues if the boatyard engineers were unwilling/unable.

Hexagon in Poland built a number of boats which were shared ownership boats in the Ownerships fleet. Ther boats were mainly built in Poland and then brought to England to be fitted with engine etc. My last boat was one of them with Hydraulic drive and Bow/stern thrust, all powered by a Nanni engine. The boats were very well equipped and many are still around. Our boat was sold a couple of years ago and I am not sure what her new name is but the original name was Winthorpe. The boat very well equipped and well looked and when Ownerships ceased trading in 2008 the boat was managed by the owners. What is the name of the boat you are considering? Howard

Be cautious of adding extra weight especially to the roof. You could seriously compromise the reserve of stability without thinking of this issue and you may find that you may have to add weight i.e ballast low down to compensate, which could then increase your draught. Discuss it with the boatyard before proceeding. Howard

I agree about the engine maintenance course. As far as the Helmsman's course, the insurance companies I have dealt with in previous years have never requested one but rather (similar Haggis above) have asked that at least one crewmember has sufficient experience to manage the boat safely. I am sure that IWHC it is better than nothing for a complete beginner and you will certainly learn some basics, but for anyone who has been boating for a number of years I think they have limited value. Certainly in a one or two day course there is a limit to what can be taught and I suspect from what I have seen in practise that courses can vary in standard from provider to provider. If a newcomer does decide going down that route fair enough but I would only say that it is not a certificate of competency and it marks the beginning of a learning experience rather than the culmination. 🙂 Howard

Nothing to say about the paint but this does remind me of something in the 1970's when there was a lot of offshore work taking place. The story goes that someone was offered some surplus cement which originally destined for an offshore platform. Apparently he acquired it at a very cheap rate and he used it on his house driveway. Unfortunately, the seller neglected to tell him that it was cement which only sets when underwater! I don't suppose that he made that mistake again.🤥 Howard

Interesting that on a site which is getting increasingly rule bound the additional rule about AI has not been checked and therefore does not actually appear to make sense! more proof reading I suggest. Howard

I have changed the rope on a number of occasions and have found that judicious use of a screwdriver and a good wire brushing have usually been sufficient. Howard

Thanks for posting these photos which, as you say, show Manchester Docks being used for what they were meant for. What a crying shame that they are not used in the same way these days. Many of the ships shown are familiar to me and with some I shared the same trading routes, although my UK turn around port was mainly Liverpool with only occasional trips as far up the ship canal as part as Ellesmere Port with Aluminium from Canada. Howard

Many first time hirers are in exactly that situation. They have never been in a lock never mind working through one. Once you have been told or been shown how to do one by either looking at the boaters manual or seeing it demonstrated or even visiting a lock and watching what the boaters do, you will soon get the hang of how to manage. Take it reasonably slowly at first and by the end of a couple of days you will be working locks like a pro! It honestly isn't rocket science as many first timers each year can testify. Howard

I would look at this way. As long as the boat is in reasonable condition mechanically and you are happy that it is capable of doing the trip, pretend that you have decided to have a holiday on the waterways and treat the trip as a learning experience, and enjoy it as such. Every year many people hire boats for a week or longer, never having had any boating experience beforehand, and the largest majority have a totally enjoyable experience. Look on line for a copy of The Boaters Handbook, free from CRT on their web site, which is full of tips and advice aimed at newcomers like you, and if you come across something in the booklet you are confused about, ask this forum and someone will be able to help. Good luck and just remember that all boaters have gone through the same concerns and have gone on to enjoy their waterway experience with no issues. Howard

This may be of interest: My 1918 copy of "Bradshaw's Canals and Navigable Rivers of England and Wales" by De Salis has the following description in the section Principal types of Vessels used in Inland Navigation - "Non sailing vessels. "Narrow Boats" or "Monkey Boats" are by far the most class of vessels engaged in inland navigation. The are from 70ft to 72ft long by from 6ft. 9in. to 7ft. 2in. and draw from 8in. to 11 in. of water when empty, loading afterwards about 1in. to 1 ton." There is no differentiation between the two terms but shows that the term seems to have been in common and frequent use quite early in Canal History. Howard

I read somewhere that this maybe Port Isaac. Maybe someone can confirm. For interest google Historic overland Lifeboat Launch for an epic launch of the Whitby Pulling lifeboat at Robin-Hoods Bay after a huge effort to haul it some miles overland when it was impossible to launch at Whitby because of heavy weather. Howard