MY littleboat

Notice of closure, Postwick Reach, River Yare Notice is hereby given that the River Yare will be closed at Postwick Reach on Thursday 29th March 2012 from 10:30 to 13:30 for the carrying out of an Oil Spill Exercise by the Broads Authority During this period vessels will not be able to navigate this part of the river although emergency access will be maintained for authorised emergency vessels. Angie Leeper Asset Officer Broads Authority 2 Gilders Way Norwich NR3 1UB 8 March 2012 http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/navigating/bulletin-board-for-mariners/notice-02-2012.html

Absolutely not - yesterday I was given a statement by Anglian water saying exactly that - unfortunately as has been explained today many staff were not given the full details of the consultation period and how it will work. After my calls today, the three members of the media centre staff had to find further clarifications themselves before we could publish our updates. 'Utter tosh' may be your personal opinion - and mine also, but facts are facts and when a representative of the company said that not being able to fill water tanks in recreational vessels was the case, we had every right to publish that information. The fact is - until the consultation period is over (three weeks from now) a number of options will not be clarified, however, I am glad to say that they now see no reason why boats cannot filll tanks for domestic use. As has also been mentioned, hire boats, being commercially operated, will be totally exempt from this legislation anyway. Hope this clears it up for you.

Eastport UK have issued a notice to mariners stating that Repair and investigation works to Vauxhall Railway Bridge (near the River Bure entrance) will take place from the 16-29th April 2012. During this period barges will be moored and operating on the north side (ASDA) of the channel under the bridge from the river bank to the edge of the marked channel. The barges will be marked by high visibility tape and orange flashing lights. More information on these works can be found here: http://www.eastportuk.co.uk/UploadedData/Files/Notice%20005%20-%202012%20Vauxhall%20RB%20April%20works%20(2).pdf

ANglian Water's responses to questions: When can a boat be washed? - We asked if the washing of a boat would be allowed under the circumstances of a boat returning from sea in order to remove salt etc from screens and decks. In reponse it was deemed this may be allowed as this may cause a Health and Safety hazard, especially if it prevented clear view from the screens or made the decks unsafe for working. This may also apply to a build up of mould or similar type growth. These are points that have still to be clarified and for that reason a consultation period is now in place which will run for the next three weeks. It would not be permissable however, to wash the boat for the purpose of valeting. If you got an outside agency to wash the vessel, who offered washing as a professional service in the daily running of their business, they would be un-affected by the legislation and therefore will be allowed to use a hose. Can a boat user legally fill a water tank? - Despite being given contradictory information previously, Anglian Water have confirmed that they have no wish to stop boat users filling their domestic water tanks and will be happy for them to do so. This information will now be communicated throughout the company. Will marinas be asked to remove hoses? - If the hose placement serves both washing and filling of water tanks, then marinas will be specifically asked to disuade boat owners from casually washing their boats as this will be an offence under the legislation, but because a hose may be used for filling water tanks also there will be no requirement to remove those already in place. Similarly, marinas will not be required to restrict water points. Again exact clarifications will be made following the consultation process. The consultation process has been put into place where individuals and umbrella organisations such as the RYA are invited to submit their concerns. The process starts today and will run for the next three weeks. Consultation process information: http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/environme ... 7CA85.aspx

Yes to note, alot of the Broads are covered by Suffolk and Essex water who have no ban - although some people near to Beccles fall under AW... lucky people! I have written to the head of AW media unit to get clarification on the mixed messages given yesterday - not least the rewording of the crucial ''Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic or recreational use'' to just ''Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use'' about 20 minutes after the announcement was made. It seems all the companies acted en-bloc and the media plugs were a bit of a fast-ball. Getting through to the media centre yesterday was a nightmare and we were given the quote by someone more happy to talk about how good their enforcement was! Given that there is a chance that this guy was talking out of his hoop - I included his details in my email to Ciaran Nelson, and therefore if it transpires that it wasn't correct then I am sure he will receive immediate 're-training' of the appropriate manner! In the meanwhile I can only go by what was told yesterday, although as has been pointed out elsewhere, a boat tank can be classed as 'potable water' which comes under completely different legislation. Whether this will mean that over officious marinas will use this as an excuse to turn off water supplies or not will remain to be seen! I await the reply from AW

I thought using river water helped the green stuff grow... I may be wrong

Washing a beer glass - sacralige! (If spelt wrong I canbe bothered to look it up!)

I'm not sure I can see the boundary very well on that - lets hope we are safe! Luckily I went and washed the girl today and filled up the water tank! Just have to tell Annie to stop having 15 showers a day (Seems like it!)

After speaking at length with Anglian Water today, it appears that the hosepipe ban won't just make washing your boat illegal - with a possible £1000 fine - if you use the boat for recreational purposes, you won't be able to draw water through a pipe in order to fill your water tank. - their wording is Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic or recreational use I initially thought there may be some leeway, but the person who I spoke to said that 'they could easily enfoce the ban on commercial properties that serve recreational customers as all are regulated via a water meter and especially customers using automatic meters (ie ones that they dont physically have to turn up and read) This hosepipe ban is not like 20 years ago - this time they have the technology to see who is flouting it, so unlike some optimists who believe this isn't the case, I have it from the horses mouth! Dark days ahead. By the way - if you use your vessel as your primary residence, then you are not required to comply with the ban... maybe I will 'move into' the boat for the summer.. I guess it will mean that public water points on the Broads will have their hoses removed though.

I do believe that any anti-purist people like ours, must reflect a divergence of interests in thousands... What the movement must never forget is that it is the uneniable right of every man.. ..or woman.. To rid himself... ..or herself... ..Agreed... thank you Brother... ..or sister... Where was I?.. I think you finished.. oh right.. Sums up the NBN meandering on this subject! Looking forward to the NBN slightly-affiliated springtime congregational at Oulton Broad very much and glad John organised it!

Thinking about it though, shouldn't news of a meet been in open forum anyhoo? Would make more sense?

Look Mark... yopur boat has little sticky feet poking out of the bottom on your pic - you can use those to tiptoe through! At least you can still get into the amazing Hamford Water and anchor, although last year the 'can and the beach' looked pretty close! Alot more material out there than just the YBW piece. A bit more for you to ponder: A CCT spokesman said; “Three major investment programmes are focused around Walton’s Mill Lane and to lose this historic waterway would literally be a disaster for the local economy. “Despite the many cuts and changes taking place in government and public sector offices, CCT has received 110% support from all the officials we have been dealing with. “Once we have planning approval we can get on with the task of pulling funding in to pay for delivery.†However, in an opposing statement, Chris Brooke, Chaiman of Walton’s fairways committee said to a local newspaper, “What they want to do is fine in principle and I don’t object to them dredging it up,†he said. “But they are scare mongering. “There is erosion on the beach and more sand there would be advantageous, but this isn’t a life or death situation. It’s not a problem at present and many do not see it being a problem in the immediate future. “There is plenty of water running down the backwaters keeping the channel clear. This is bad publicity and could negatively effect the marinas and visitors.â€

Echo the above best wishes for Barry - a damned decent guy and I hope we get to meet at some point this year. Quo Vadis (and Trev) - the peoples popular fron of Judea - splitters!!

So it looks like the 'official' spring meet is the Oulton Broad meet then, or is it 'un-official' or is it someone will turn up and say "Are you the NBN lot, and John will reply, no we are the Judean People's Front.... John congrats on organising what looks to be a great meet - looking forward to it!!

What is annoying is how much the BA electricity has gone up. used to get a whole night with just one card, occasionally one and a bit - last time at Reedham £4, and it still went out ! Thought it was me, but then went to WRC and used 83p all night! Secondly, and more annoyingly, how many times have you gone up to a post and seen it -23 or 24p - card goes in and you get something like 76 or 77p of electricity!!!

Welcome to the forum and hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Prop looks really good! I think I am going to wait until the summer lift out offer and then grab a week for escape. Really handy for us as we only live 15 mins up the road so should be able to get all of the planned jobs done, including changing a virtually new airmar transducer that seems to have gone 'plop'!

Interestingly it seems they have managed to secure a whole heap of funding blocking through the interactive map on tge website certainly gives you food for thought. Ironically I am sure there will be more objectors to the proposals than supporters!

It seems that the Fens Waterways Link project have gone 'live' with their ambitious plans to build a complete city to city waterways network: Full plans of the Fens Waterways Link have been announced giving details of what is being described as “the biggest waterway enhancement scheme in Europe†and the most important inland-navigation building project in two centuries. The project aims to open up 240km of waterways, build 80 km of new waterways and give increased access to a further 160km of waterways.It also promises to link the cathedral cities of Lincoln, Peterborough and Ely for the first time as well as providing links to the market towns of Huntingdon, Boston, Spalding, Crowland, Chatteris, St Ives and Ramsey. In turn it will connect the River Trent, Fossdyke and Witham with the Nene and also the Ouse Middle-Levels as well as the Grand Union Canal to Nottingham. The project, part financed by the European Union’s Regional Development Fund, aims to boost the number of boating visitors as well as increase the focus on waterside life with business opportunities such as boat repair yards, marina developments, shops, restaurants, bars as well as new accommodation. This project, once complete, will bring a World-class network, suitable for all kinds of boats whilst enhancing the environment and surely in addition to The Broads, truly make our inland waterways a target destination for cruising boaters. Story Link http://eastcoastboating.co.uk/wordpress/?p=1081 Fens Waterways Link... link - you know what I mean.. http://www.fenswaterways.com/ Thoughts? Certainly will open up a whole new cruising ground!

Absolutely the best episode I have seen of this show from the very first series until now and I am so glad that they gave time to Olly Rofix, a total hero down here in Ipswich. It's worth watching his treatment video of when he was in Ipswich Hospital to see that raising to the challenge of sailing an 18 ft boat around Britain was a world away from his life then and to appreciate what a great job people do in those NHS units. Great show tonight! A few things to look at if you find a moment: Olly Rofix's treatment video Oliver's Travels website http://www.olivers-travels.co.uk/ Incidentally, I think I will send Tim a 'How to repair a dinghy' leaflet!!

Following a question on another forum, and to keep everyone in the loop as to what is happening regarding the proposed stoppage, This is back on the agenda for the Norfolk County Council (Works) meeting in March and will also be tabled on 23rd February at the Navigation Committee meeting. Where it stands at the moment is that the contractors have been informed that the work is booked to go ahead and the Broads Authority have been duly informed of these works - as has rightfully been pointed out, their jurisdiction only goes as far as the yacht station. However, there has been some question on whether the notification to the likes of you and I had been completed properly as they have to make suitable public announcements. This has meant that a complete navigational stop would have been unlawful without the correct notice procedure being followed. It is not akin to closing a road thats for sure! What has been agreed though is that there will be NO STOP TO NAVIGATION, instead if these works do go ahead on schedule (or at a possible later date) there will be a restricted navigation chanel. I think realistically it will be the end of March before we know for sure what is going to happen with this heap of cr*p!

I've gotta say that having replaced my passport some years ago that the issue of a photo driving license is now absolutely straight forward in that your sdetails are picked up automatically from their server. Also I had to renew my HGV a couple of weeks ago, they had already sent me the renewal form and from the time I posted it back with my medical to the new license arriving - total 4 days. In the defense of the DVLA, I do think they are doing a pretty good job, BUT, I do agree that this only suits those that are computer literate, and for those that aren't, the future is going to be an uphill struggle.

John, just noticed we are only down fromsat... we will be there friday too!!

With very little mention of this important meeting, please read the article below as this meeting really is the last chance to save our coastguard. For once NCC are looking at a clear and unified direction - I just hope it is not too little too late. Following a meeting of Norfolk County Council last month, where a motion by Paul Rice calling for the government to reconsider its decision to close the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre was unanimously passed , an open public meeting is to be held in order to gather support. Mr Rice said anyone interested in getting involved with, or supporting the move to reverse the government’s decision to close the control room, is invited to an open meeting at County Hall on Monday, February 27 2012, at 6pm. He said: “We would like any individual, club or organisation with maritime links such as port users, local companies, yacht clubs for example to come along. Also, of course, any Broads users are welcome to attend as they have a vested interest in keeping the control room open too. “The purpose of the meeting will be to get those interested together and decide on the best way to take our campaign forward. I look forward to seeing people on the evening.†Mr Rice said the decision to close the Havenbridge House control made no sense at all. “To my mind local knowledge saves lives. There are numerous examples of where this is the case, including only last year when local knowledge helped save the life of a girl buried in the sand.†“What makes no sense either is that there is every likelihood of an increase in demand with more traffic to wind farms, ship to ship oil transfer off the Norfolk and Suffolk coast and increased traffic from Harwich to Zeebrugge.†“You can also add the fact that there is a big increase of ‘stay-cations’ on the Broads and to local beaches to the mix.†If you cannot attend the meeting, but would like to either give your support or request further information, Mr Rice can be contacted on 07920 286622 or email paul.rice@norfolk.gov.uk.

Also found this - Crewsavers advice - http://www.crewsaver.co.uk/Crewsaver_Leisure_Products/CE_Categories_Explained/index.html EN 12402-5 spec for 50N only suitable for competent swimmers - for use with active surface water sports But as has been said, even a bin bag full of air is better than nothing!