Grumpy Bear

Personally, I fully agree with the RYA stance on training (whether Inland Waterways, Dinghy, Windsurfing, Offshore, power/sail whatever) which is that legislation is not required and that the industry is quite capable of self-regulating itself. There are very few boating accidents and we should not encourage knee-jerk reactions from the government and mandate everything. Which is not to say that we should not encourage boaters to undertake training - I believe we should undertake training where we need it. We all want to be good at what we do - don't we??? This approach is argued in the Spring 2006 issue of the RYA Instructors' magazine Wavelength (page 3) - clicky Also in this issue (page 13) is a section on Inland Waterways Instructor training - and the presentation of the 2006 Inland Instructor of the Year award to Sam Clarke. Not a blazer or cravat in sight, and it seems the instructors have lived their lives on the Inland Waterways. So if we think there is something wrong with the RYA's Inland Waterways training scheme I am sure they would listen to constructive comment. What, if anything, is wrong with it? Mike

You most certainly can get to Cambridge and back in a week from Fox Narrowboats, but it is tide dependant. Passage between Salters Lode lock and Denver lock is only possible at certain states of the tide - and this needs to be during normal locking hours. There are some days/weeks when passage is not possible. I would recommend pre-planning and calling the Denver Lock keeper on 01366 382 340. You will find him very helpful.

I presume you are already on the Great Ouse. Salters Lode lock is closed until 9th March.

He could happily cruise much of the River Great Ouse system (East Anglia/Cambs/Beds), but would not quite get as far as Bedford (Cardington Lock width is 10ft 3 ins).

What your marina is doing is legal, but the service charge must be completely justifiable to you. This from the ofgen website: Maximum Resale Price In January 2003 The Office of Gas & Electricity Markets (Ofgem) introduced new legislation governing the maximum resale price (MRP) of electricity and gas. Only suppliers of energy to commercial premises (i.e. shops, offices & factory units) are exempt from the new law. The basic principal of the new legislation is to establish a "cost pass through system" of reselling electricity. In simple terms this means that a reseller must only charge per unit of electricity what they themselves actually pay for it. Multi-rate Tariffs: Your electricity supplier may bill you according to various different tariffs for peak/off-peak periods of the day, week, month or season etc. If this is the case you can either discuss multi-rate programming options for your meters with Energy Controls or you can exercise your right under the new legislation to estimate an average tariff for the year. If you do estimate your tariff however and subsequently make a profit of more than £5 per consumer you will need to either refund this overcharge or make it good the following year. Standing Charge: If you pay a Standing Charge to your supplier (also known as a Daily Availability Charge) you can only recharge this by dividing it equally amongst your consumers. Energy Controls' prepayment meters include an option for recovering the Standing Charge separately from the pence per unit tariff. Service Charge: In revising the Maximum Resale Price legislation Ofgem's primary aim has been to eliminate overcharging. However, Ofgem appreciates that electricity resellers incur other costs in relation to the operation and maintenance of their electricity supply infrastructure. For this reason the new legislation allows for these costs to be recovered separately as a "Service Charge". It is up to the reseller to determine the level of Service Charge to be applied; it is not subject to MRP legislation but values must be justifiable to the consumer.

Further to my earlier posting (on page one) which contains the link to the consultation document, the document has 8 proposals which are: ---------------------------------------------- Proposal 1: Not to change to our method of calculating the inflation factor to apply to licence fees to reflect increases in BW’s costs. The inflation factor to be applied for 2008 fees will therefore be 3.3% Proposal 2 To reduce the prompt payment discount on licence and mooring fees to 5% for all licence and mooring fees with effect from April 2009. In summer 2010 we will consult further to determine whether the discount should be eliminated altogether from 2011. Proposal 3 To increase the price of a Leisure Business Licence by 3.3% in April 2008 and by the relevant cost inflation factor in 2009 and 2010. Proposal 4 To maintain the full fee for a boat Shop, Store or Workshop licence at the same level as the leisure business licence so that it increases by cost inflation only. The very small trading discount will be adjusted downwards so that the net fee payable is never less than that paid by a private boat. Proposal 5 To maintain the Cargo Carrying licence fee at the same level as the private licence fee. Proposal 6 To increase the fee for Trade Plate and Workboat licences by same percentage as the fee for the private boat licence Proposal 7 To increase Private boat licence fees increase by 9% - 9.2% per annum in real terms over the period April 2008 – April 2010. This headline increase could be reduced to 7% by adopting Proposal 2. In this case, customers currently benefiting from the prompt payment discount would face a 12.9% real increase in April 2009. Proposal 8 To review gross income performance from boat licensing in summer 2008 and summer 2009 and consider whether to adjust the proposed increases for 2009 and 2010 in the light of this performance. We will publish our conclusions on this but they will not be subject to formal consultation. --------------------------------------- These proposals are not options; the plan is to take all the proposals. So Proposal 1 says apply 3.3% inflation increase in 2008. Proposal 7 says increase the Private fee in real terms (ie over and above inflation) by 9 - 9.2% each year to 2010. Thus in 2008 the increase is 12.3 - 12.5%. 2009 and 2010 will be 9% plus whatever they decide inflation to be. It would be effectively be more if you currently benefit from the prompt payment discount.

Sorry, See my earlier reply about 4 posts above. Its 9% real plus the 3.3% inflation, each year for 3 years making around 40% compounded.

Well the "inflation increase" is 3.3% but the proposal is to increase the fee by 9 - 9.2% in real terms year on year for 3 years making 12.3% overall each year from April 08. This is the same as the increase already announced by the Environment Agency for their waters. The consultation document can be found here: clicky The key bit in the Introduction says: ...We expect part of this increased contribution to come from modest growth in boat numbers and improvements in our collection of fees. But the remainder must be generated by price increases of approximately 9% per year in real terms over the next three years. Proposal 7 - To increase Private boat licence fees increase by 9% - 9.2% per annum in real terms over the period April 2008 – April 2010. Don't shoot the messenger Regards Mike

... and make sure that your policy permits "Single Handed Sailing". (yes I know its Inland and we don't sail but thats what they call it). I used to insure with Navigators and General (who underwrite Craftinsure) and they DO permit single handed as standard. My new company GJW does NOT permit single handed as standard. This has to be added to the policy as an endorsement. It didn't cost anything, but I had to tell them and they added the endorsement in writing on the policy. Pays to check all the small print carefully and include all the extras you need. Mike

Ernie, as recommend by a previous poster, I would recommend getting the crutch straps with the lifejackets which prevent it from slipping over your head (or you slipping out below). But take care when tightening them!!! I also have the splash hoods on mine - but that is really for sea use.

Ernie, I am not sure where you got that from. You should return it to Crewsaver for REPAIR if damaged but not routine servicing - although the manual does say that "if you would just like it checked over, we will be happy to inspect, repair and service it at a reasonable cost" The auto inflation system has a life of 5 years from manufacture (it is date stamped with an expiry date) and replacement is a user operation - most good chandlers hold the spare gas bottles and auto inflation units. The manual has detailed instructions on how to do this. Just check the lifejacket for damage each time you use it. I use Crewsaver 150N lifejackets on the basis that they are so comfortable and unobtrusive that it is not an effort to wear them. You might pick up some "show bargains" at the new revived Earls Court Boat Show 1st-9th December Mike

Cambridge and Ely would be pretty much out of the question. Cambridge is full, and the marina at Ely does not (yet) take narrowboats - assuming that is what you have. There are marinas at Hermitage, Hartford, and Bedford (Priory Marina) who I am sure have vacancies for non-residential moorings. I think there may be space too at Isleham marina

Yep, we will be there. Hope to arrive by boat on Thursday to set up stand etc on Friday. You will find us on the Great Ouse Boating Association (GOBA) stand. The river is now open at Ely (where the goods train fell off the bridge), water levels have subsided back to normal, and the site is looking good for a great weekend.

The IWA released this press release on the subject this morning: The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is pleased to see the report of the Select Committee investigation into British Waterways which was published today. The Association notes that whilst the report is broadly supportive of British Waterways, there are criticisms of the way it manages its relationships with stakeholders and that the Select Committee recommends the need for greater transparency between the parties involved. British Waterways is also criticised by the Committee over its trial of tendering for moorings because the new system may further increase the cost of boating and lead to exclusivity. The Association welcomes the report’s recommendations that licence and mooring fees are kept at a level that maintains high levels of individual participation. The report calls for the involvement of the National Audit Office to give a view on the conflicting accounts between the parties on British Waterways’ finances. The Association welcomes this approach, and believes that a thorough review of the finances of the inland waterways will underline arguments it has put forward for more government funding. The Association is also pleased that the committee noted that the planning assumptions made in the Comprehensive Spending Review could mean that British Waterways’ budget is cut by five percent in real terms over the next three years; and that the committee recognises that this £35 million loss for major works could threaten British Waterways’ ability to maintain the inland waterways network to an acceptable standard. The Committee has also taken the Association’s point on board that the vast majority of people who use the canal infrastructure and create wear and tear, but are not charged for this use. The Association welcomes the committee’s call for government to take this lack of income into account for future funding. The Association welcomes the recommendation that British Waterways develop an environmental heritage strategy for the waterways, in tandem with The Waterways Trust, which should include all interested parties. The Association is hopeful that with the ministerial changes within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs there will now be an opportunity to look to engage more positively, and that all parties involved will be able to maximise potential and find an equitable settlement that is right for the waterways, navigation authorities and government. At a time when funding of flood defences is high on everyone’s agenda, the Association is keen to ensure that the issue of Grant-in-Aid funding to navigation authorities doesn’t get overlooked, particularly as British Waterways and the Environment Agency have already suffered a second year of sustained cuts in funding, whilst smaller navigation authorities receive no funding at all. It should be remembered that Britain’s canals and river navigations provide an important contribution to land drainage and the country’s flood defences, which apart from the Grant-in Aid to British Waterways and the Environment Agency is unfunded by Government. The Association is particularly concerned that any further cuts in the navigation authorities’ budgets will cause irreversible and deep damage to the system. Speaking on behalf of IWA, John Fletcher, national chairman said. “I welcome the report of the Select Committee into British Waterways, and congratulate its members on their thoroughness. I am pleased that so many of our points and observations have been taken on board.” “The Association’s main concern for the present however, remains to ensure that the waterways system is adequately funded and maintained. I am hopeful that with the publication of this report a new era of mutual co-operation is possible and I look forward to putting the travails of the last 15 month behind us all”. John continued, “I look forward to having the opportunity of meeting with the new Minister Jonathan Shaw, and his team to discuss these issues and the Associations concerns in more detail.”

The RYA has published this press release today on its website: Following talks with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) yesterday (26 July) it looks possible that changes in the pricing of marine diesel will not have an adverse affect on its availability to recreational boaters. HMRC have prepared a number of options for the implementation of the new regime for duty payments on red diesel used by private recreational craft. According to officials, its preferred option is to retain the red diesel pumps for both recreational boaters and commercial operators to use. Recreational boaters will have to pay the full duty rate. Commercial operators will continue to get the current reduced and exempt rates of duty. Speaking today Neil Northmore, RYA Government Affairs Adviser said: “This is good news for recreational boating. HMRC have taken on board all the key issues that we presented to them including tank cleaning, availability and safety issues, and have incorporated them into the proposed options. Their preferred option takes direct account of the concerns that we have voiced over availability”. A public consultation process will open sometime in the week commencing 30 July which will lay out all the options. Members of the public, boating organisations and the marine industry will be invited to make their comments. A link will be set up on the RYA website to the Governments site once the consultation has opened. The RYA and BMF (British Marine Federation) have asked for a full explanation as to why recreational boaters must pay the full road duty rate for marine diesel and HMRC have agreed to provide this. (RYA 27Jul07)

The access road to the site of the derailment has been completed and the 1000 ton crane is now in place and ready to lift the remaining carriages - and perhaps the bridge - clear. The EA is still hoping for navigation to be open for 15th August A picture of the crane is at: Big Crane

I am afraid your tutor was quite wrong. A marine VHF hand held cannot be used on land for any purpose unless it is licensed as a "coast radio station" - which it won't be. You should use the PMR446 (licence exempt) type radios for this purpose - available in very many shops. You might like to look at my Walton Training website Mike

Further to previous posts, the Environment Agency has issued detailed advice and a bridge chart for those intending to use the Hundred Foot Drain (New Bedford River) to bypass the Ely closure (in order to get to the IWA Festival) You can download it here Please contact the Denver lock-keeper on 01366 382340 before commencing passage. (This is the preferred number and staff will call you back if the office is unattended). Contact can also be made through the Denver Complex Office on 01366 382013 or VHF Channels 16 & 17. Please remember that the section is tidal and that bridge information given shows only the typical (not guaranteed) headroom at High Water Spring / High Water Neap Tides. Today, the EA started fitting inverted gauge (headroom) boards to the bridges but it is essential to contact the lock-keeper for the latest level status. More general advice is freely available from the EA River Inspectors, Mervyn Day 07889 111 829 or Roger Mungham 07760 171 161 (both of whom are boaters who know the system well)

At least 6 boats made the passage over the weekend; one cruiser had difficulty getting under a bridge at high water but all the narrowboats made the passage without any problem.

This is being discussed in the thread below on "River Great Ouse Closed to Navigation at Ely" But see the official info on the EA Closures Page

Well the first 4 have made it!!! Four narrowboats successfully navigated the 100ft New Bedford River today without any problem. Its a goer - but, as usual, take advice from the lock keepers on tides etc

It now seems clear that a road needs to be built to the bridge where the derailment occurred in order to get a crane in to remove the remaining carriages. Today's (EA) estimate is that the river will not be open to navigation until the 2nd week of August. Bearing in mind that in the week immediately before the festival the tides are not right for a passage through Salters Lode, it looks likely that those who are not already south of Ely on the Great Ouse system will need to consider coming the 20 miles up the New Bedford (100 ft) river from Denver to get to the festival via Earith.

Network Rail has posted a re-opening date of 9th July for the rail line. No news on reopening of the river. However, given that at least three trucks have dumped their ballast into the river and others onto the surroundings and that most of the remedial work will be on the bridge structure we may surmise that the river will stay closed up to that date. The impact on the hire boat company based in Ely has been severe given that all of his boats are trapped on the wrong side of the closure.

Well the quality of the reporting can be judged from the fact that the incident was neither on the River Ouse or near Littleport - as stated on the website. The incident was on the River Great Ouse, 1 mile south of Ely. And yes several what ever they are, are dangling over the river - and will be for several days.

Following a train de-railment this morning on a bridge crossing the River Great Ouse just south of Ely, the River is closed to navigation between "Popes Corner" and Ely until further notice. This will affect anybody entering the system in the next few days from the Middle levels via Salters Lode and Denver Sluice complex - or indeed anyone wishing to leave the system. You will not be able to proceed beyond Ely. Pictures show rail carriages hanging off the bridge over the river. The EA have published an emergency closure notice on the EA website for the River Great Ouse Mike