Low water from Leighton Buzzard to Marsworth

[J R ALSOP]

Congratulations to the three "CRT volunteer's" who were moving a red boat to Limehouse last night, they passed me at the Aylesbury Arm junction about 2am. They had left every paddle up and gates open, the pounds from Ivinghoe lock 33 to 36 where 20inches down, I have never seen so many propellors on moored boats. the pound between lock 37 and 38 was empty.

A following boat who was sharing the Three Locks at Solbury with them, told me that they had to press on

Now tied at the Grove having a pint having taken all day to do a normally 3-1/2 hour trip.

[Bettie Boo]

Thanks for the heads up; will keep an eye out for them and on the pound we are currently moored up in Hemel Hempstead. We're only about 5 boat lenghts from a lock, so at least can go down and shut the paddles if they leave them open here.

[Barry]

You could maybe give them a broadside as they go past

[Bettie Boo]

You could maybe give them a broadside as they go past

 

[junior]

They passed me at Weedon at 3am on Friday morning. They must be in a serious rush if they are boating around the clock. There's been quite a few complaints about them on social media over the last 24hrs.

[magnetman]

When they stop, take their windlasses away and lock the boat to the piling

With blue chain

[GeoffS]

Complete a***holes. Came past Seabrook at midnight and we have been on the botttom all day. Still not up now and I dont give much chance for tomorrow. Friend of mine was closing Ivinghoe Lock gates and paddles at 5.30 this morning. Messed up first day of my holiday! So much for those who say its ok to leave gates open!.

[ditchcrawler]

Has anyone reported it to CaRT

[GeoffS]

Yes at 8 this morning.

[dave moore]

You are not the only ones to suffer incompetence of others. In October, we tramped down the Thames. Friday afternoon saw us at Brentford, we pressed on to half way up the Hanwell flight. Having finished a meal, we noticed the boat heeled over with a significant list. Looking out, there was a boat crewed by 2 young men who had followed us from Teddington. They were unable to leave the lock below because of low water levels, why I don't know....there was plenty when we came up an hour earlier.

 

" We didn't know these locks were here. " they told me, as we walked to the lock above. I ran water down to enable them to leave the lock below and pass us. They then entered the next lock. I left them to it then, asking them to empty the lock after leaving it to make our lives easier in the morning. They did......without closing the top paddles!

 

Next morning, the pound above our next lock was down to a third full. It took some 45 mins to let enough water down to enable a passage, during which we picked up a good bladefull of sari, cable and poly bags which took another half hour to remove. En route we passed the culprits...." Your mate told me to do it! " was their defence. Sometimes, I despair!

 

Dave

[Tisinca]

Past us at Fenny at speed and pulled our front pin out .....To$$ers !!!!

[valrene9600]

if they are CRT volunteers does that mean they are doing this boat move for CRT. If not it would be interesting to know who owns this boat.

[jenlyn]

I do not think they are volunteers, one of them threatened a boater. From social media, it seems the boat is nb heron.

[GeoffS]

I suspect 'CRT volunteers' is not quite the truth. I heard the same said this morning rather doubtfully and when I told CRT they said No way would they be moving at at midnight.

[mark99]

I hope CaRT acts as their name is being taken in vein.

[Emerald Fox]

Surely a matter for the Police? Disturbance of the peace, criminal damage, etc.

Where is the lynching mob?

What have CRT said?

I should fine them, and remove their CRT licences.

[blackrose]

So much for those who say its ok to leave gates open!.

 

Isn't this particular problem due to paddles being left open rather than gates?

 

At least that's how it reads in the OP...

Edited December 21, 2014 by blackrose

[Tam & Di]

 

Isn't this particular problem due to paddles being left open rather than gates?

 

At least that's how it reads in the OP...

 

Ignoring modern protocol it is generally OK to leave gates open on the GU, BUT you must also look behind you to check that the paddles there are not leaking. If they are then it is essential to close the gates and paddles as you leave. It sounds as if these people are not doing that. If there is a succession of pounds that are dropping off in these river-fed sections the locks must be in very poor condition now.

 

Tam

[bassplayer]

 

Isn't this particular problem due to paddles being left open rather than gates?

 

At least that's how it reads in the OP...

I have come across a couple of people who call paddles gates....I wonder?...

[magnetman]

Congratulations to the three "CRT volunteer's" who were moving a red boat to Limehouse last night, they passed me at the Aylesbury Arm junction about 2am. They had left every paddle up and gates open, the pounds from Ivinghoe lock 33 to 36 where 20inches down, I have never seen so many propellors on moored boats. the pound between lock 37 and 38 was empty.

A following boat who was sharing the Three Locks at Solbury with them, told me that they had to press on

Now tied at the Grove having a pint having taken all day to do a normally 3-1/2 hour trip.

Yes. If they left every paddle up and gate open they must have been superheroes or did.they have Arnie with them

 

I used to find bottom gates were worse for leakage so the worst bit would be as far as Marsworth with top gates being left open. If the bottom gates were left open on way down from Cowroast I would not expect such a serious problem unless the locks are really very shagged out. Haven't been for a few years - is it all.coming to bits??

I have come across a couple of people who call paddles gates....I wonder?...

JR ALSOP isn't one of them

I think he means exit gates left open and paddles up at that end of the lock.usually to save time.

'all paddles up' would be vandalism and the boat would not progress through the locks at all.

 

 

Reported problem areas as where a boat has gone up a lock leaving top (exit) gates open exposing the pound above to bottom gate leakage problems.

Question is did the same problem occur below Cowroast? I doubt it.

 

(because top gates usually seal better than botto gates and as mentioned the GU is mostly river fed below Cowroast

Edited December 21, 2014 by magnetman

[magnetman]

 

Another factor is that if bottom gate paddles are dropped directly by gravity they may not always close completely if not checked, leading to even more leakage through the bottom gates

 

Maybe thats what happened

[davey b]

The CRT confusion is caused by the member of the crew wearing a CRT RSPB flourescent jacket.

 

He's just come through Copper Mill Lock and seems a pleasant enough chap though he is battling a boat that's in appalling mechanical condition. The list of issues he's had was not a short one.

 

I mentioned the comments on here and he said he was following notices on the locks to leave the sluices open, though whem I pointed out this was on the southern flights he did look a little abashed. His idle speed is the problem in the passing boats speed.

 

Single manning and not moving at night from today so some of you can tie up better for tomorrow!

[J R ALSOP]

As I spent the night at Grove lock, I watched a boat come up the lock this morning, after he closed the gates it took 15mins for the lock to empty, this due to the bottom gate mitre's being in a poor state. I bet the pub are glad, as the last time I was in the loo's there (they are under ground) the wall thickness from the lock is about 5feet, staff were mopping in a serious way, I went and made sure the lock was empty, I wouldn't have fancied doing my shift bailing.

[MaryP]

Anyone know if things have improved?

[GeoffS]

Lock 34 to 33 was still down but better. 33 to 32 empty no chance of getting to the side so needed help. After that to Leighton was ok.