JennyMorgan

Will the young lady dressed as third from the left be lobbed from the hotel window on the eighth floor in order to reserve a poolside lounger?

Christchurch for me!!

The event happened in the Borrow's Ham area of North Bay, the sky was relatively clear, half moon and that area of the Broad is thankfully lacking in light pollution. I do now know that the collision was witnessed and that the crew were catapulted into the side of the moored boat, horrifying. As for anchor lights, unless their use becomes universal on the Broads, in anycase not practical for boats that lay to a buoy and sometimes receive scant attention, then some boats will and some boats won't be illuminated. I wonder if this won't then create confusion for those navigating at night? As one who frequently navigates at night I consider the loss of night-sight due to a proliferation of anchor lights to be positively negative and wouldn't welcome it. The best thing that can be said for an anchor light is that it is something to aim for when coming back from a 'lock-in' in the shoreside boozer!

I have a great affection for Pin Mill, even in this modern world. Spent a couple of summers there working at the Pin Mill Sailing School. Used to love walking the banks, exploring the numerous wrecks and house-boats that were a feature of the river back then.

We used to cruise from Oulton Broad to the Suffolk rivers such as the Deben aboard this boat, a 27' footer. She only drew 18", designed for the East Coast by Francis Jones coincidently of Waldringfield but strangely enough built in Yorkshire of all places!! She was also a good Broads boat & my father's pride and joy. She was a 'show boat' at Earl's Court in the early '60's and originally built for the Colman (mustard) family as a tow boat & tender to their fleet of Broads One Design sailing boats. P.S. I'm the bloke on the stern. P.P.S We were on our way to Katwijk in Holland.

Re Walderingfield I don't recollect anyone from the theatre but I do have good memories of Maurice Griffiths, one of my absolute heroes. I once sailed across the bar in a shallow draft East Coast boat that only drew 18". We felt our way in at the start of the flood. On making the river we turned to see several keelers taking the bottom, presumably thinking that if we could do it then so could they!

An interesting river is the Waveney: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Waveney

Bob Roberts, the legendary Thames Barge skipper, raconteur & very fine folk singer used to drink in there. I have recollections of some great nights in his company. The other personality that drank there was 'Giles' the cartoonist, he also kept his 'Peter Duck' sailing boat there, what a character he was. A great place much used by yours truly during the 60's and 70's. Bit posh now and the dark brown residue of generations of pipe smoke has long since disappeared from the walls and ceiling. Giles used to have an old caravan in the carpark where he could crash out after downing an excess of draught Guinness, his favourite tipple. I had a summer job in Giles studio in Ipswich, there was a Guinness pump besides his drawing board!

Wow, that is some back garden! Do you have moorings there? A half mile cut could provide quite a few moorings and a half decent income!

Vaughan, legend has it that it was the other way around!

Well, it now looks like there are two, Mutford plus this one. Well done to those involved. Nice one, Tesco! http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/north_walsham_and_dilham_canal_project_in_running_for_national_honour_1_4673851

99p I think! The really cheap ones don't last the night but at about four or five quid they generally do, even in the winter.

Re that accident, I go with MM's take on this one, I really don't think an anchor light would have made a jot of a difference in this instance but if folk really want them then those solar lights sold for the garden can make darn good ones.

A very real dog, I like that! Touchable and pettable. Thanks, Tim, for the ILM comments. Son-in-law worked for Framestore before being tempted to work on every boys dream, Starwars. Avatar & Gravity, as well as 'Dobby' being successes in his portfolio.

Is that the flag with what looks like a line drawing of what you find under a cat's tail then?

What also has to be considered are boats on buoys. Okay for folk who know a waterway but nevertheless a consideration to locals and visitors alike.

Anchor light may not be required but a change of house flag certainly is!

Inevitably there is some of the predictable bunkham appearing elsewhere so to stop speculation here is an abbreviated diary of the event. The children had been having a wonderful time at an event at the local sailing club, eventually being rounded up by about ten thirty. The father, his wife and two children set off and once in open water the father opened up, I suppose to give the children a thrill, as surely it must have been. Probably seen as harmless fun but the consequences were tragic. On nearing his mooring they collided with a boat laying to a mudweight. Presumably the moored boat was unlit as is the way of the Broads. All the occupants were knocked unconscious as apparently the RIB flipped over on its back. On gaining consciousness the man saw his wife floating face downwards and children supported by their lifejackets. Fearing for his wife's life he then dealt with her first. His boat was insured and tolled. It was a stupid thing that he did and I have no doubt that it will impact on him for the rest of his life. My huge, personal regret is that I did not report earlier speeding on the Broad by the same man to the Authority. Had I have done so, and this applies to other people too, then perhaps this would not have happened. We all turned a blind eye on the irresponsible behaviour of a friend, we were collectively wrong to have done so, for that I am sorry. http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/woman_and_girl_seriously_hurt_in_oulton_broad_boating_incident_1_4674472

It does no harm to go back to basics, whether behind a lens or in regard to boating. My son-in-law is at present working for ILM on the new Star Wars films yet one of his hobbies, for relaxation, is as an amateur photographer. I can only guess that the skills level and mindsets are a world apart, even light years!

My family do know those involved & i have now been told the full details. The important thing though is that the injuries are not life threatening although the poor little girl has just come out of theatre after several hours of plastic surgery. The mother sustained damaged vertebrae in her neck and a fractured jaw. As Chris has said there is no point in chewing the fat at the moment, our prayers have to be with the family and friends, I hope that you understand.

Whilst I do have my own opinions on this one, do know the people involved, it is not for me to comment. Further news will be released as and when by the family & the authorities.

Very similar report elsewhere: http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/woman_and_girl_suffer_serious_injuries_following_oulton_broad_speedboat_crash_1_4672902 So sad, coming at the end of an evening out at the local yacht club where a regatta is taking place.

Sorry to relate but a woman and a child were seriously injured.

Danny, Dr Packman at the BA is approachable, please let him know of your concerns.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-suffolk-36895908?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=57bfe6f9e4b0a17b497a8fbb%26Four people taken to hospital after speedboat collision%26&ns_fee=0#post_57bfe6f9e4b0a17b497a8fbb I have my suspicions about this one but as the four were apparently all on land suggests walking wounded rather than critical. I suspect that the local gossip machine will reveal all over at the sailing club later to day.