howardang

I would be agreeably surprised if the OP is knowledgeable about the BSS requirements, and looking at the state of the engine it appears to me that if that is indicative of the rest of the vessel, the boat needs a detailed viewing by someone who knows what they are doing. I do hope the OP can find a suitable person to give the boat a detailed look to see what, if anything needs to be dome and he is going to be prepared for spending money to get things sorted, if that is indeed possible. I suspect that this is a great example of buying a cheap boat to save money and having to spend a great deal to put things right. Forums like this, in my view, are not where he should be concentrating his efforts, but I would be interested to hear how things are resolved. Howard

As a matter of interest, does this boat have a current boat safety certificate, and to the best of your knowlege when was it last operational ? You say that it is moveable si presumably it has a current CRT licence? As far as I can see, there is little constructive that this forum can do, and rather you need to find someone to come and inspect the boat, like a boat engineer, or a boatyyard or even a boat surveyor. Otherwise, you will find it very difficult to ever resolve any issues (big and small) by talking round the issue on a forum. Go into a local boatyard and ask them for any advice about suitable local firms. Howard

I suggest that you need to contact as many boat yards in your area and try to explain the issue, and any others, as clearly as possible. I certainly sounds like much more than a service and it would ne necessary for an engineer to view the boat properly to give you an assessment of what is actually required. If the engine is disconnected as you say it suggests that the previous owner was more than a little concerned. Did anyone have a look at the boat for you prior to your purchasing it? It might also be worth at the same time getting someone who knows what they are about to give your boat a good inspection to see if there are any other such issues. I certainly would respectfully suggest that you don't attempt to carry out any repairs yourself, even under "supervision" whatever that would entail. I appreciate that this may mean spending money but unfortunately that can go together with boat ownership. Howard

A simple comment without the expletive would have been sufficient, following your comment. Howard

That's not quite right; the incident is not exclusive to Facebook. For example, someone says that there is an incident somewhere and I suggest that the people who want to know more are frustrated that the OP hasn't quoted more details of the actual incident. That's not the same as wanting to know what's on Facebook as such. Personally, I couldn't careless about what is on Facebook, and on this forum I think it is quite well known that there is a substantial number of members who have no desire to join Facebook. Howard

Yes but Sculptor was used in London rather than Birmingham, as far as I am aware. Howard

Surely it have been much quicker in most instances of fire for the Fire Service attend a fire using conventional fire engines, avoiding the need to frequently have to use locks to get to the fire which would have taken too much time? I would have thought that with the use of the red fir doors which can be found on many BCN bridges allowing easy access for hoses to reach the canal water that would have been the better option than employing fire boats. Howard

1000022E Sea Link Ferry St Columba Holyhead 1000356E Pocklington Canal - Walbut Lock Howard

I hear what you say but if it is necessary for the lead boats to maintain a constant speed maybe a modest reduction in that set speed might be worth considering? Howard .

The best way to ease the effects of pitching is to SLOW DOWN. I am sometimes perplexed to watch narrowboats plough through choppy water and then complain about the rough conditions. Wind against tide conditions also cause the river to be much choppier than expected and more care should be taken in these conditions. Howard

There are indeed may such flotation devices available and have been for many years. Marine Pilots and other marine professionals wear heavy weather jackets which incorporate built in life jackets and safety harnesses. Indeed there was a period in my life where I wore something similar, but that type of jacket can be extremely expensive and so is not popular with leisure wearers. For example, I have seen some jackets costing well in excess of £1,000 although of course other similar equipment can be found at lower cost. One manufacturer for example is Seasafe who have a comprehensive range. Howard

Dress for the weather of course but whatever you wear please make sure that when wearing an inflating life jacket that it is worn outside any other clothing. It horrifies me when I see people put on a lifejacket inside a waterproof jacket or similar outer clothing. It will at the very least least restrict the operation of any inflating jacket and prevent the LJ from providing protection, and could lead to the wearer getting into severe difficulties. I have seen this habit more and more over recent years and it seldom mentioned when the subject of lifejacket wearing crops up. Howard

Better look like one than to be a dead one. Howard

We usually moot on the embankment. Its a pleasant 10/15 minutes walk to the town and well worth it. We like Nantwich. Howard

Add one more Howard

You're not a wuss. You are just getting older and wiser! Howard

That is obviously your risk assessment and presumably you are happy to take the consequences if anything happens. However, complacency can skew reasoning. A few years ago my wife and I had to save a man sailing single handed on a canal (I won't say where to avoid embarrassing him). He fell in, possibly aided by the excessive alcohol he had consumed while steering his boat along the canal. Although it was midsummer he became extremely cold within less than 20 minutes and couldn't help himself. In the end it took both of us plus two passers by to get him out of the water and into an ambulance and he was lucky that we were nearby. We met him when he returned to his boat and he had indeed the medical team looking after him in A&E said been very lucky to survive. Howard

I totally agree that it is a personal choice after making a risk assessment. One further important point to consider is that if you strike your head or otherwise injure yourself when falling in, or you are incapacitated through sudden illness etc, you may be unable to get out of the water unaided. A lifejacket may be your savior. I would never criticise anyone who decides that it is better to be safe (and alive) than sorry. Howard

Good luck in your search for the one that will suit you. Howard

Pilots are on board the boat to advise but it is the master (skipper) who is in charge and responsible for the safety of boat and crew. As far as continuous cruising is concerned have you read the guidance on continuous cruising on the CRT web site? If not I would recommend that doing so at an early stage in your planning. Howard

Some of the designs for those large continental river cruisers you see advertised on TV can give our sewer tubes a run for their money. Totally without character, soulless, and the nearest thing I have seen to the "Box shaped vessel" which, for those who have studied stability for sea going certificates, will be a familiar term when being taught the basics of stability. Howard