Iain_S

No. However, one change since then is the reduction of sulphur dioxide emissions.

W.C. Fields "I spent half my money on gambling, alcohol, and wild women. The other half I wasted."

They've got several. 45' or 50', I think, maybe 55'. Beam is about 11'.

Metric sockets and spanners. The gearbox filler is 18mm, which is usually omitted from spanner and socket sets. I carry extra 17mm and 19mm spanners. Also a 25mm for engine mounts. A good quality adjustable comes in handy as well. Tools accumulate as needed. I didn't used to have a socket set on board, but added it after the nut on the gearbox output flange came loose. Similarly, a small vice, drills, cable crimper, etc got added when I found a need for them Oh, yes, forgot the oil filter wrench!

If the 12 are paying passengers, then the boat comes under MCA rules. They don't specify maximum crew numbers, which is governed by stability tests for maximum number on board. One of our local charities has been known to have 12 passengers in wheel chairs, 12 carers, counted as "crew", plus a boat operating crew of skipper plus 2 or 3. The skipper does not hold a Boatmaster licence, just an IWA Inland Waters Helmsman's Certificate. The MCA are happy with this arrangement.

If it's the bottom towpath side gate, no, it hasn't. Centre line to back bollard on towpath side is our usual method for working that lock. Works perfectly going down; occasionally gets boat on the wrong side for steerer going up.

Even someone living on their boat could to be said to be interrupting their cruise as soon as they moor for longer than overnight. Living, or not, on the boat is irrelevant.

I'd have thought it would be perfectly possible to cruise around the canal system while having a permanent address on the bank, and not living on the boat. Cruise for a few days, moor up for a week or so and return to home address, return to the boat and carry on with the journey. Even just boating at week ends while on a progressive journey would comply with both the letter and spirit of the legislation, in my opinion.

FTFY

Maybe they just give it a demob suit?