NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BOAT OWNERS
Autumnal musings
Editor John Sadler writes: The ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ has descended rapidly this year, just in time to welcome us to our home mooring. As ever, there’s a bit of damage to repair before the winter sets in and some maintenance scheduled for the cooler months. We set out in June, in winter […]
CRT winter works list 2024/25
CRT have released into the public domain an FOI response providing a list of the winter works “as of now”, of course subject to change. Inexpliably they had previouslyrefused to publish this as in previous years. Goodness knows what their thinking is on this which was a surprise, not consulted or explained. It is any […]
Canal & River Trust Annual Report & Accounts 2023/24
The Canal & River Trust has published its Annual Report & Accounts for the year 2023/24. It was a year of record spend on charitable activity, but one that saw the continued effect of climate change taking its toll on the Trust’s ageing canal infrastructure. The waterways movement came together to raise the profile of […]
NABO terms and privacy
Last year we reviewed the NABO Constitution and this resulted in an update at the 2023 AGM. This year we have reviewed the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy document that go with the Constitution. These have not been looked at for some time. It is important that the documents are consistent and reflect the […]
Voices for change
Expressions of dissatisfaction have featured heavily this month. The change of government brought about by the General Election may be the most momentous statement of this. A new government means new MPs to write to. Every boater with an MP whose constituency includes any of the UK’s inland waterways needs to make their concerns […]
On-Board Guide: Electrical Safety for Small Craft
An IET Guide covering the safety of DC and AC electrical systems in small craft navigating on UK inland waterways and surrounding sea areas Small craft have an ever-increasing amount of electrical equipment, systems, and associated power requirements. As a result, significantly more risks and safety concerns need to be considered in the design and […]
Waterways Ombudsman issues Annual Report
The Waterways Ombudsman and the Waterways Ombudsman Committee have issued their Annual Reports for 2023/24. The Ombudsman scheme deals with complaints about the Canal & River Trust and the Avon Navigation Trust, which are referred to the Ombudsman after completion of the Trusts’ own complaints process. This is the fifth and final annual report of […]
In the Chair
It’s May and the UK’s weather has taken a turn for the better. The day boats from the local boatyard have crew that are slightly less well wrapped up as they motor past. Hire boat businesses seem to be doing a better trade too, with boats from at least ten different bases regularly passing us […]
Time for change?
Editor John Sadler comments As I was thinking about writing this editorial the news broke of a general election in six weeks time. I suppose you can pretty much ignore what legislation may have been on the books until the result is declared. Parliament will be dissolved and much will be promised before our votes […]
CRT National Boat Count 2024
The Canal & River Trust’s National Boat Count, conducted in the spring each year, has seen a 1.4% drop in boat numbers on its network across England and Wales. It also saw a 1.2% increase in unlicensed boats, meaning licence compliance now stands at 91.8%. Nationally, 32,602 boats were recorded on the Trust’s enforceable […]