Momac

I also run in neutral long enough to warm the engine prior to extracting the oil.

I agree the tidal locks are a big step up in responsibility from anything inland and the lock keeper needs to be appropriately trained.

i dare say you are correct it isn't their job and they would not be paid for it. However C&RT should have mobilised a cleaner.

I hope it is temporary - presumably the office and equipment will need to be cleaned . I don't see it as reason to keep locks closed more than a couple of days . If the regular lock keeper is infected they need to get someone else in.

The lock keepers and other C&RT workers should have been observing some distancing measures the last few months , the same as everyone else . I dare say people share duties at Keadby and West Stockwith when the full time lock keeper is on days off or on leave . At West Stockwith there is often a volunteer helper Similarly at Torksey . A trainee was at Cromwell least weekend. They all share a desk etc and doubt they clean up properly between shifts

On the basis of two short conversations with the guy that's what I thought too. .

Do you know him?

You cant do that on the locks on The River Trent below Nottingham. You do need to have ropes on to control the boat even when descending , especially if it's windy.

http://www.cloverchem.co.uk/2013/info/en/326_virosol_info.pdf which may be diluted with water and seems to work better when used with water or https://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/elbow-grease-all-purpose-degreaser-500ml-345773 which also works well with water and may be easier to obtain as it is sold in places like The Range , Morrisons and B&M .

I hear there are quite a few boats on the Trent below Nottingham from Derby Motor Boat Club that were prevented from travelling back to their home base due to this incident so spare moorings in the area are understood be scarce.

Not a lot to complain about there . A shame valuable funds are being spent on this but can't fault the response.

Our tap water at home is cold enough, maybe not icy cold but acceptable.......... maybe the first few seconds the water is run it is tepid from being warmed in pipes inside the house . At the marina the tap water on the pontoons will be warm , sometimes very warm , until it is run long enough to flush the water that has been in the pipe on the pontoon.

I believe the only diesel is at Mick Ogden at West Stockwith Basin. https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/directory/165-mick-ogden

I expect they will get on with it as promptly as possible since its a hazard waiting for new of the local drug addicts or criminals to have an accident.

Can't say I have experienced a boat being hung up personally but some locks , eg tidal locks ,are not controlled by the boater. A boat was almost trashed in Keadby when the keeper opened the outer gates nearly hitting the bow of a boat . We were packed in like sardines and had nowhere to go until others behind adjusted their position ....... but fortunately the keeper heard our calls to stop......just in time.

I have seen that happen - the rope had to be cut which was hazardous in itself

Since a boat hanging up on ropes is a possibility it doesn't seem unreasonable to assume the bollard might take that load from a rope attached to a suspended boat . However i don't think bollards or their anchorage into the canal lock structure are in fact designed on that basis . Perhaps C&RT should thank the boater for highlighting the inherent weakness in the lock construction and compensate him for any damage sustained to his boat?

Higher tides next week

Tupperware isn't made from GRP

The subject boat is no longer where it was (upstream of the lock) at Hazelford. By the way the sand bar below Hazelford remains but is marked by buoys . They had to reposition one buoy yesterday after it had been dragged by a boat.

There do seem to be a lot of Heron about not to mention plenty of other water birds this year. Could it be a consequence of reduced pollution and relative lack of disturbance in the earlier part of the year ? Don't mention it to C&RT as they may impose a closed season .

Probably only 3rd party cover?

Nothing - same thing on most boats big enough to have cabins . Some small open boats and ribs may have a kill cord.

Elbow grease isn't a lubricant https://www.therange.co.uk/household/cleaning/cleaning-products/multi-purpose-cleaners/elbow-grease-all-purp-degreaser-500ml/#270934

It does happen. However when starting a new job it is usual to have some training. It would be negligent of C&RT to let someone work as a lock keeper without appropriate training.