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Billing Aquadrome


Captain Miss Pugwash

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A friend of mine offered me 6 large lift pumps a while ago that were used to empty a swimming pool, If he still has them I know that we could use them. They are in Dorset but that's a minor issue. I would be more than happy to enquire... Coupled with the collective knowledge and skills here we could have her up quickly I am sure. Of course in Trees time.

 

I'm near Dorset, if needed, just shout. Having your boat sunk, is the single worst thing that could happen. And could happen to any of us.

As always, if. Help is needed, shout.

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I'm near Dorset, if needed, just shout. Having your boat sunk, is the single worst thing that could happen. And could happen to any of us.

As always, if. Help is needed, shout.

 

Perfect, if the word goes up I am sure a relay could work!

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It warms my heart to see our boating community rally round with offers of help for a stricken fellow boat owner. without doubt boaters are the best sort of friends to have :-)

It's cos we rock

Ps I have a de humidifier which you can have, it's doing cock all in my garage!

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Tree, I've only just read this but I am so very sorry.

 

When you're ready, get in touch. I can help with the soft furnishings - I've got sewing machines, thread and fabric; foam can be obtained and I'm sure Carl would lend the benefit of his wisdom too.

 

Just let me know.

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Tree, I've only just read this but I am so very sorry.

 

When you're ready, get in touch. I can help with the soft furnishings - I've got sewing machines, thread and fabric; foam can be obtained and I'm sure Carl would lend the benefit of his wisdom too.

 

Just let me know.

Definitely. I can't provide any raw materials (apart from thread) but I am happy run up new covers if fabric is sent my way.

 

I also have the contents of a caravan that you can borrow until your new stuff is made.

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Definitely. I can't provide any raw materials (apart from thread) but I am happy run up new covers if fabric is sent my way.

 

I also have the contents of a caravan that you can borrow until your new stuff is made.

 

 

I don't think the part bolt of fabric that you are currently bidding on in the auction would be sufficient for what will be a whole boat's worth of furnishings but at risk of alienating you Carl I might have to outbid you for it if it would be suitable for Tree.

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I am so sorry for Tree. I have never met here, or exchanged messages with her, but I do usually read what she posts . I'm too far away to offer anything other than moral support alas. Just to say thinking about you.

 

Its a pity the boat couldn't be raised quickly and the cleaning and drying process started, flushing the engine and transmission etc. Not much would just be a bare shell. I just hope Tree hadn't too many small irreplaceable treasures that have been lost.

 

Once again, so very sorry your plight Tree.

 

regards David aka larkshall

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The water levels on the river Nene are controlled by the E/A via the barrage and the washlands at Northampton, this was designed to prevent Northampton from flooding. In the event that we receive extreme amounts of rain, water is collected and stored at the washlands and then released as and when possible. Under normal conditions and normal rainfall this works very well, to the point that you hardly notice a change in the river levels. The problem arises when everything goes into overload due to extreme weather conditions. To enable some semblance of control it is required to deliberately flood the floodplains, Billing Aquadrome exists upon one of these floodplains, when this situation arises the E/A advises Billing Aquadrome that this is going to happen, the problem that the E/A have is that because of high level of water in storage (due to continuous heacy rainfall) coupled with the big unknown of how much more rain will fall over the next few days they can only control the discharge to try and maintain a balance between what is being released and what is still flowing in from upstream. It is because of this unknown quantity of flooding that the management of Billing Aquadrome and Billing Marina have to make the decision to evacuate. It would be irresponsible of them to ignore the advice given, especially when life could be put at risk. Once this decision has beeen made the emergency services take over, there is a flood risk assessment for Billing Aquadrome and this then swings into place. The threat of arrest is to protect individuals who cannot see the dangers that could occur because of the unknown level of flooding. Under flood conditions the roads disappear and lakeside edges and streams converge into one very large lake, this could happen at night and the electricity supply could be lost so the park would be in complete darkness making a very dangerous situation, this is not a scenario you would want to subject people to. The first concern is to protect life, anything else is replaceable. The park management understands and sympathises with people's reactions to being uprooted from their homes, whether it be a lakeside lodge, caravan or boat, but the first and only concern is for their wellbeing.

The marina water level rose by eight feet of water, even the adjoining hotel had to be evacuated, with the marina being on floating pontoons adjusting ropes was not required,and all moorers were allowed back on to the marina daily to allow them to check the boats with access only being possible by dinghy due to the landbridge being three feet under water.

Billing Aquadrome management came in for a great deal of criticism from both caravaners and moorers, it possibly appeared to them that no one cared. Let me tell you that was far from the case - a small team that were allowed to remain worked tirelessly to protect both property and boats while senior management battled with the authorities to try and establish an early return, all of this goes unseen and criticism, although understandable, is not nice to take. The nett result upon returning was that there had been no loss of life and not one single property had been flooded with the exception of some sheds.

I feel very sorry for Tree, I was the one who had to give her the bad news, why Free Spirt went down is still unknown. She is due to be raised sometime next week by divers and air bags and then possibly the cause may be revealed. I hope this goes someway to explain what has to happen in circumstances like this which unfortunately causes opinions to be formed with the lack of information, evoking all kinds of emotions.

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reading BILLING MARINA RULES

 

15. Billing Aquadrome reserves the right to moor, reberth, move, board, enter or carry out emergency work on any boat if, in Billing Aquadrome's opinion, it is necessary to do so for the purposes of trying to:

avoid damage to the boat or to any other vessel in the Marina; and/or

ensure the safety of other users of the Marina; and/or

ensure the safety of Billing Aquadrome's staff, premises, plant or equipment.

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I'm sorry the thought of regular flooding and a 8' rise in the water is enough for me to keep well clear of Billing as a place to moor. I hope Tree was insured .

 

Well BIGcol just said the marina has floating pontoons, so there is not so much of a risk as first appears from big level changes.

 

 

MtB

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Well BIGcol just said the marina has floating pontoons, so there is not so much of a risk as first appears from big level changes.

 

 

MtB

 

 

Indeed with walkways underwater , no power and access to check your boat by rowing boat whilst still in flood. Just a tad more risk and inconvenience that a normal canal basd marina I suspect

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reading BILLING MARINA RULES

 

15. Billing Aquadrome reserves the right to moor, reberth, move, board, enter or carry out emergency work on any boat if, in Billing Aquadrome's opinion, it is necessary to do so for the purposes of trying to:

avoid damage to the boat or to any other vessel in the Marina; and/or

ensure the safety of other users of the Marina; and/or

ensure the safety of Billing Aquadrome's staff, premises, plant or equipment.

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reading BILLING MARINA RULES

 

15. Billing Aquadrome reserves the right to moor, reberth, move, board, enter or carry out emergency work on any boat if, in Billing Aquadrome's opinion, it is necessary to do so for the purposes of trying to:

avoid damage to the boat or to any other vessel in the Marina; and/or

ensure the safety of other users of the Marina; and/or

ensure the safety of Billing Aquadrome's staff, premises, plant or equipment.

 

That's to cover their backsides - it does not mean they are obliged to intervene if they see a boat in difficulties...

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