Andy Bell

Point one. Same problems occurs in domestic premises. Its usually down to incorrect siting of the alarms. I admit its more of a problem in a boat but does not mean that detectors should not be fitted. In the end its down to education and ventilation. Be aware of the potential problems and avoid them when cooking or fire lighting by ventilating your boat. If the alarm goes off use the hush feature to silence them not removal of the battery. Whats the biggest problem an occasional false alarm or loosing your boat and possibly your life of life of a loved one to fire ? Point two. If your boat is that damp that it effects your smoke alarm I would thank that pneumonia would be a greater risk than fire. To be serious I have been on house fires where the alarm has fine even after the fire and we have gone mad spraying water everywhere. New smoke detectors are far more robust now than they were a few years ago.

When the battery starts to go flat the alarm will usually cheep every 30 seconds or so until either the battery is replaced or it goes totally flat, what can happen is that the alarm will sound as though there is a fire when the battery is going flat after it has been cheeping for few days. Being in the unused caravan you may have missed the cheep of the discharging battery until it reached the stage where the alarm activated. Been on a few false alarms where this has happend. You can now get 10 year smoke alarm batteries, other wise you should change batteries every 6 months. The hush feature usually only works after the alarm has sounded. You generally have around 15 minutes untill it rests itself into working mode.

Many Fire Services including Staffordshire, who I work for, give away free smoke alarms and give free fire safety advice to home and boat owners. Try to find the telephone number of the relevent Fire service to you and ring to enquire if they offer free smoke alarms, if so make an appointment. They will fit smoke alarms in domestic properties or if you explain that you live on a boat I am sure they will come to out to you there. If not living aboard explain that you would like an extra alrarm for you boat and fit it yourself its very easy. Go on ask its free and may save your life.

Had a struggle yesterday getting from off the T & M onto the Hall Green Branch at Hardingswood. Every time I started the turn under the bridge, the wind, funnelled by the bridge, pushed the front end of the boat back out again. A difficult manoeuvre at speed in a 64ft boat even more difficult at slow speed in the wind. Managed on the 3rd go and no doubt gave a few people a laugh!!

Crewe railway station closed as the roof is unsafe. No Passengers allowed on the platforms. Got to take a boat solo up Heartbreak Hill tomorrow, hope the wind drops overnight.

I have been on three car fires in the last two years all of which were caused by cowboy/DIY conversions. If your going to run on gas ensure that you have the conversion done by a professional and reputable engineer. The consequences of not doing so could be deadly!! Andy

Not strictly Ellesmere or Whitchurch but close The Dusty Miller at Wrenbury, Good Food and Beer. Gets busy though. Have a good time.

Forgive my ignorance on this but is it not possible to power the propulsion motor directly from the generator through an electronic speed controller/voltage regulator, rather than charging batteries to then power the motor. Of course you would still need batteries for lighting and power etc.

With electric power becoming more of an issue on many boats, supplying lights, washers, T.V's etc and the fact that red diesel may be used for electricity generation, I was wondering of any one had replaced their engine with a generator. Does anyone out there have any experience of using an electric motor to propel their boat? If so would they be wiling to share their experiences? Any information on generator capacity, propulsion motor sizes good points and bad points would be much appreciated. If this topic has been discussed before my apologies, I have looked but can see no previous posts on the subject. Thank You.

Yes Croxton Aquaduct is only narrow boat width so you can not to Big Lock in Middlewich. Plenty of room to wind in the flashes before Croxton though. Andy.

Great News. Very Pleased. Might get my ironing finished now.

No your right and not the Andy Bell from Erasure either. I am getting addicted to this story, Every time I pass the computer I am refreshing this page waiting for the next development. Only done half my ironing yet have spent so long reading this mornings posts! It can not be to long surely before some good news. Only sorry that I cannot do more to help.

My first post so be gentle with me. Have been following this story for a week now and was convinced that Gragdale would be found within a couple of days. Feel so sorry for all concerned but also comforted that so many people are offering their help In a previous post some one mentioned that the boat could be in Stoke by now and Canal Planner says 6 days for the trip. I am moving a boat tomorrow from Northwich down to Wheelock, If time is on my side I will stop of at Middlewich and ask around there and walk up the Wardle Branch to see if I can see anything. I know a few of the live-aboards on that length as well so will make enquiries there. The yard I work for logs all boat names and numbers when they fill up with diesal I was told this is a legal requirement but dont know for sure, but if it is then presumably Gragdale will need to be re-fuelled at sometime and that may be an area for investigation. Best wises to all concerned and hope you get good news soon.