Boater Reps’ Meeting with CRT
A report from boaters rep, Dave Mendes de Costa. Yesterday the boater representatives on the CRT Council met with Matthew Symmonds (National Boating Manager). Many thanks to everyone who sent me their thoughts. As expected, the main area of discussion was around Covid-19. The tone was positive, there seems to be a desire to support […]
COVID-19 News Boat Safety Scheme Examinations Temporary Suspension
COVID-19 News Boat Safety Scheme Examinations Temporary Suspension Following the most recent announcement from the Prime Minister regarding the UK’s response to the coronavirus crisis, the joint owners of the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) are allowing a temporary extension to safety certificates for those craft requiring an examination in the period until the 14th April. […]
CRT latest on Coronavirus
CRT have said this tonight 23 March Following the most recent announcement from the Prime Minister regarding the UK’s response to the coronavirus crisis, we are asking leisure boaters to stop all non-essential travel. As a result, and to help those who live-aboard (along with those who would need to travel to their boat in […]
CRT issue FAQs on Coronavirus and boating
CRT have just issued these very welcome FAQs on boating in these difficult times. You can read them here. There is no relief on BSS examinations as yet. We have asked for three month extension and we will continue to press for this. Whilst many will be able to get this important safety inspection completed, […]
Toddbrook reports published
CRT have announced the publication of the two reports on the spliway failure at Toddbrook in 2019. They have said The Canal & River Trust welcomes the Government-commissioned Independent Reservoir Review report from Professor Balmforth which examines the cause of the damage to Toddbrook Reservoir last summer and makes recommendations for the improvement of reservoir […]
Report on meeting of Thames Navigation Users Forum (TNUF) March 2020
On Tuesday 3rd March 2020 I represented NABO at the above Forum which brings together representatives of a wide cross section of users of the Thames, including the 8 River User Groups (the RUGs) and many other representative groups, with relevant EA personnel. Chaired by the Thames Director, Julia Simpson, the very long meeting was […]
River Thames Alliance closed down
River Thames Alliance closed down The directors of RTA Co. Ltd. held a board meeting on 19th December and agreed to cease trading and wind up the company. This followed the AGM in October, which set up an independent Review Task Group to consider all aspects of the objectives, management and governance of the company […]
‘Trust Aware’ permits
Following feedback from a series of meetings held with disabled boaters over the last year, CRT will now provide ‘Trust Aware’ permits to boaters who have been given reasonable adjustments to their cruising requirements under the Equality Act 2010. On a case-by-case basis, this could involve overstays on visitor or towpath moorings or adjusting their cruising […]
CRT Offside cutting winter 2019/20
CRT have said that they are starting a winter tree and hedge manangement programme. They say that the works will focus on preserving navigation and ensuring sightlines are kept clear, rather than cutting back every metre of overgrowth. We actively manages vegetation all year round, but large-scale activities are best suited to winter when the […]
More on CO
David Fletcher requests help from members for some new research. Last time, I talked about the new BSS requirements for carbon monoxide alarms and the issues with ventilation. I explained that there is a good deal that we do not understand about ventilation and air changes in boat cabins. A major new study is planned […]