PaulD

http://thirdsector.thirdsector.co.uk/2012/06/19/other-quangos-should-follow-the-canal-and-river-trust-and-become-charities/ Spin seems to be mentioned a lot. Paul

From your blog it looks like your sailaway shell is still under construction. If so it would be a good idea to get any big holes cut by the builder using a gas or plasma torch. Scary thing is when you have finished the fit out and have nothing to do. Paul

NB President passing HMS President. Worth a comment? No. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2154222/Queens-Diamond-Jubilee-2012-BBC-sank-tide-wittering-inanity.html?ito=feeds-newsxml Paul

Additional comment: You should read read BSS manual 6.1.3. The service is only a "requirement" if the extinguisher has passed it's expiry date. "Best practice" recommendation however is that the extinguishers are serviced annually. We all do that don't we. Paul

I got mine "serviced" for the last BSS Cert as they were 4 years old. Cost £15 + VAT for 3 powder if you call in so was worthwhile. http://bwfire.co.uk/ Will buy new ones next time. Paul

Brilliant! Am afraid it's a bit like me. Of course the tie is an essential bit of PPE. My metalwork teacher used to clamp it in the vice to demonstrate how useful it could be. Paul

I am nervous about my router and circular saw as they can do a lot more than give you scratches and splinters. Best advice I got was always keep both hands on the handles - then you know where they are. Paul

Edited to add must have been a sailaway. Paul

Dear Boater "We are making essential changes to waterscape this week and unfortunately this will affect our stoppages service. Our email alerts will be temporarily suspended from this afternoon. We hope to have everything back up and running by Wednesday and will send you an email notification to keep you informed. In the meantime, major stoppage news will be put out on twitter (@waterscape_com and @BWComms) and you can keep updated by checking the stoppage pages of waterscape.com. The BW Webteam" Possibly not the best time to do this. What is twitter? Paul

By order of British Waterways Workboats, Vegetation & Contractors Plant and Small Hand Tools • Range of workboats • Tracked excavators - Ruston Bucyrus and Priestman • Compair two tool compressor • Stihl chainsaws & hedgetrimmers • Spitfire generator welders • Extensive range of powered hand tools Location of assets: Throughout UK Sale through GoIndustry DoveBid as before. Paul

Wish you had told me that about 40 years ago. Paul

I was referring to the explosion risk with hydrogen which does not smell so you may not be aware of it. Hydrogen sulphide is produced if the electrolyte level is low and the plates are exposed. It is also flammable but the smell would alert you. Higgs, you also mentioned "croc clips.. getting hot". Golden triangle - fuel, oxygen and source of ignition. Think I will moor up some way from you. Paul

If you google CO detectors and hydrogen there are a lot of references to hydrogen (and other gases) causing false CO alarms. "Hydrogen insensitive" detectors are available. Interesting that this is a particular problem in the US where golf cart chargers regularly set off domestic CO alarms. Hydrogen of course can be just as fatal as CO so it would be worth sorting out the charging problem. Paul

Will you be teaching spelling? Paul

"A man who was wanted by police has been arrested after a 12-hour stand-off on a canal boat in Derbyshire. Armed officers and a police helicopter were deployed to an area of canal behind the Plough Inn in Town Street, Sandiacre, on Wednesday afternoon. The 41-year-old was arrested at 05:30 GMT on Thursday in connection with breaching a Violent Offender Order and on suspicion of burglary and theft. Police said no shots were fired and nobody was hurt in the incident. Derbyshire Constabulary said the man gave himself up after talking to police negotiators. He will be questioned later." Paul

Armed police officers have been sent to an "ongoing incident" on a section of canal in Derbyshire. Police are in negotiations with a man on a boat. The area around the back of The Plough Inn, Town Street, Sandiacre, has been cordoned off. The force helicopter was also sent to the incident which began during the afternoon. Derbyshire Police said there were no reports of shots being fired, but no further information has been given. A spokeswoman said: "A number of officers have been deployed including armed officers to an ongoing incident on the canal at the rear of the pub. "Negotiations are taking place with a man who is on a boat. "We're unable to go into any further details at this stage." Paul

Alex, My 110a alternator failed when the engine was commissioned. Seems several engines had been shipped with the "wire with the white plastic sheave" connected and it seems to have caused the failure. Barrus asked me to disconnect the wire but it was still not charging. They came out and fitted a free replacement next day. This was 4/5 years ago but I think Barrus might be right. Paul nb Lady Soar - another excellent Soar Valley shell

My policy wording is "The cost of repairing, replacing or renewing any defective part in consequence of a latent defect." Any views on what that would mean in English? Does defective part include a burnt our boat? No paragraph or clause numbers in my policy so probably a different company. Paul

Eastwood is OK - turn left out of the LM basin - home of Lady Chatterly. You can tell the girls which are from Eastwood cos they don't have as many spelling mistakes in their tattoos. Paul

Thanks Mayfly. I was able to leave a voicemail message. Paul

Waterways World website reports today: "Shobnall Boat Services ceases trading We learned this morning that Shobnall Boat Services, the chandlery based in WW's home town of Burton-on-Trent, has ceased trading. Owner Andy Garside said: "We have fallen victim to this terrible recession and have seen a marked down-turn in business over the last two years, coupled with increased competition. We were fortunately only 1 - 2 days away from completing work on a repaint of the only boat we had in our workshop at the time, and through the tremendous support of our staff (now unpaid) and a tremendously generous offer from Robert Neff at Mercia Marina of the use of his dry dock for a couple of days, we have been able to completely finish the work to the customer's total satisfaction." The site is owned by the long-established Jannel Cruisers (01283 540006/07837 546032), who operate the moorings at Shobnall Basin - which are not affected. They hope to be able to reopen the dry-dock, gas and sales in the next few weeks. Shobnall's surveyor Iain Jones is continuing to work on a self-employed basis (07860 779476). I tried to call Iain as he is booked to do my BSS on Wednesday but the number is wrong. Anyone have the right number? Paul

Screwfix have a pipe freezing kit. Never tried it and not sure it would work with plastic pipe - I'm sure somebody will know. You could always wait until it all freezes up in the winter! Paul

Try Iain at Shobnall. They gave me a BS 5482 / BSS letter of conformity. Paul

What fire rating standards apply to sound insulation in an engine compartment? The Sound Service material is BS 4735 "self extinguishing" ASAP Supplies Quietlife is BS 476 Class "0" MC don't give any rating on their website Paul

Kings Bromley is not far away. Very quiet and friendly. No pub which suits us. Paul