JennyMorgan

Just my thought but as the standing part is flexible, it being rope, the hitch itself needs to be carefully loaded in order to prevent it slipping. Others may disagree but it's a knot that I have used for years.

Just had a pleasant hour visiting my fellow anglers. Apart from the inevitable shots of bream being handled with towels rather than wet hands I enjoyed my visit, good bunch of people.

I'm already there, worth a punt! I was made welcome there, mind you that Burgess bloke didn't give me a choice!! Welcome, Dave.

Not one that was nine miles long then! The swim, not the thread! Now't wrong with a swim. just keep out of the way of boats and anglers.

Just don't drink the stuff! No dead fish or bloated cattle floating just up tide of you? Go on, enjoy a swim! I've had several intentional dips this year, why not!

Re knots, might the Rangers be tying a Rolling Hitch? One I use myself and have confidence in but it does need care when tying it on the standing part.

Bowline?

On a personal basis the answer is no. Whilst I enjoy some facebook groups I really don't much enjoy the NBN group. A loyalty thing perhaps, I don't know, but its not really for me. Perhaps it's just as well that we have both platforms.

Thanks, Matt, informative pictures. Knowing the chains in question, and that they were under some tension, and that many modern Broads boats have a skeg, I'm somewhat surprized that the prop picked up the chain which apparently it did.

At this point in time my confidence in the police is at an all time low. I/we could debate that but that would mean doing politics and I doubt that my life will be long enough for going down that particular route and in any case it is against the TOS.

I think that in having both outlets NBN then has a far wider customer base & I can understand the wisdom of doing that.

At the end of the day if I don't enjoy a forum or a facebook group I just don't go there, no one forces me to, 'tis my choice and I'm happy enough with that. Someone mentioned value as in how we value a forum but don't similarly value facebook. Perhaps that is true, but not always. I can think of several closed groups on facebook that I personally value, such as those managed by Sue Hines, however I do know many of the primary participants personally and all of those good folk have a 'forum upbringing' and that, I think, has been carried over into those particular groups.

Evidence, who is or was to blame, same as 'dash cams' on cars. Actually quite a good idea, I think.

What might we reasonably expect of NBN, both facebook and the forum? Me, I'd expect values and rules to be of equal weight across both. I expect good debate and courtesy. I don't expect foul language nor the venom that is growingly typical of social media. I would also expect that had I run into a chain ferry, irrespective of blame, to see the event recorded for posterity. I would also expect there to be debate and to have my leg pulled from here to kingdom come, however I would not expect, nor accept, the insult & ridicule that is becoming a feature of facebook. Personally I think that the Forum has got it about right but that NBN facebook has some catching up to do. People have feelings, non of us get it right all of the time, but nevertheless we should all remember that. What do you think?

I think that I'll open a thread and ask what I think is a very reasonable question, what might we reasonably expect of the Norfolk Broads Network, forum AND facebook.

Some real wisdom there, Vaughan. My quick thought is that NBN rules so to speak should be of equal weight across the board. Like you I am surprised at some of the venom exhibited on Facebook.

I don't know if the motor cruiser went behind or ahead of the Ferry but I do know that going behind is almost as risky as ahead as when a tide is running the chains can be bar taut. If the gap so to speak was only 30m then if I were the Ferry owner I would be having a quiet natter with the Ferry skipper. At fifty meters an oncoming boat really should be able to hold water or turn around. Still, this is all hearsay & guesswork so no conclusions. As for me, I long ago lost count of the times that I have crossed on the Ferry or gone past it on the river, and I've yet to encounter any problems.

Reedham Ferry has been around for a long time, far longer than the byelaws. I do wonder if these byelaws are realistic. Let me explain, the Ferry is situated in an area where both it and approaching boats are clearly visible to each other. Once a suitable gap in the river traffic is seen the ferry then tightens to its chains and sets off. Once the commitment is made then it only has one option, that is to continue to the other side. It can't stop to let boats pass as the tide is forcing it tight to its chains so nothing is gained by stopping. On the other side of the coin boat skippers can clearly see the ferry, that it has left the bank and that its chains are tight, common sense and common courtesy suggests that as a commercial, hampered vessel she is best avoided. Byelaw or not, best to give way and to take suitable avoiding action. Okay, so Martin Broom, a man who knew the river well, was lifted on the chains, his boat, Raisena, draws 5'6" which perhaps the ferry skipper of the day didn't allow for, most Broads sailing boats drawing rather less. It would seem to this desk top warrior that the motor cruiser skipper misjudged the avoiding action that was required just as the Ferry skipper might have misjudged the river traffic. At the end of the day the cruiser skipper was better placed than the Ferry skipper for taking avoiding action quite simply by holding off and keeping clear. Byelaw or not, my sympathy lays with the Ferry operator. Should it transpire that the Ferry set off without allowing the cruiser sufficient opportunity to take avoiding action then my sympathies will obviously transfer to the cruiser skipper.

Are there such people?

Pictures are also on the NBN facebook page.

Mustn't forget How Hill.

Very wise. Also hide the faces of any fore-peak floozies that you have onboard, just in case the wife sees them!

Don't count on it, I keep a camera to hand!

In fairness, Poppy, it behoves all parties to work together in regard to the Ferry. A common sense approach by all concerned should ensure everyone's well being. Sticking to one's right isn't always prudent!