Wussername

One came into Reedham the other day. The tide was going out very quickly. 40 to 42ft of boat I suspect. From stem to stern , starboard and port there was not a single grab rail. They had all been removed. The crew, the Broads Authority Quay ranger were somewhat challanged in a demanding situation. Andrew

Dogs are so vunerable on the Broads and its rivers. I am not sure that their owners are aware.

There should be no charges for mooring overnight in another hire yard, as long as the yard in question is a member of the Broads Hire Boat Federation (or whatever they’re called now) Most boat yards are members of the Broads Hire Boat Federation or British Marine in order to qualify for Q A B S. Mandatory requirement for hireboat licensing following an announcement by the Broads Authority. All hireboat businesses have to register for an initial QAB assessment from 01 April 2023. Other factors may have to be taken into consideration during November of this year. Times they are a changing.

All dogs should be kept on leads. Especially in the country side. Especially on the Norfolk Broads. There is so much at risk, the dog, wildlife, sheep and other livestock. In Norfolk, even the beach can be a dangerous place. Fot the dog, for the wildlife.

The fender is very important. Underestimated. Its size, its shape, its position on your boat is so relevant with regard to the well being of your boat. And your anxieties. Imagine, boats colliding, perhaps an arm, a hand, a leg, or the boat hook. Not for me. Never ever. Two, three tons of boat on collision. The fender. As used by lifeboat crews, as used by wherry skippers, as used by those of an understanding of the tragic circumstances caused by those who fend off with an arm, a leg, a boat hook.

Clean them would be good.

I have found it very interesting to read that some boat yards are in the process of reducing the size of their hire fleet . For some of the smaller boat yards it will be an opportunity to increase the size of their fleet or which would seem most likely that of replacing a boat that contributes little to whatever small profit stream exists. In reality the small yards have diminished rapidly to have little influence on the overall picture. It is therefore reasonable to expect the majority of these boats to be sold into the private sector. To those who are wealthy. What is wealth, how do you define it. One way I suppose is to state that they have a disposable income to spend on a style of life, a dream, something after a long and arduous period of work. The boat will be seen as a sound investment, an achievement, a just reward for sacrifices made. The financial impact will be recognised. But this impact is always the same. It constantly changes, even more so during these unsettling times. This could well result in a sluggish period for boat sales. Only time will tell. Some of you have spoken knowledgably as to why boat yards sell some off their assets so I do not wish to elaborate further. There is an aspect of all this which does not seem to have been recognised or even discussed. Now before I go any further I am reminded of “ the wise old owl who sat in an oak. The more he heard, the less he spoke, the less he spoke, the more he heard. He became a wise old bird”. If my contribution seems somewhat disjointed then I will play the old age card, without hesitation, that of confusion. Times they are a changing. Even more so with regard to The Broads National Park. Changes in some part brought about by more than one dreadful incident . The Marine Accident Incident Board focused on one such incident. The MAIB investigation highlighted several areas of concern. The Broads Authority were wrong footed. The MAIB conclusions reverberated throughout Broadland. Recommendations were made, with regard to procedures and design of boats. Recommendations without authority but carry great weight by those who consider with authority. The boating fraternity, hire or private will become accustomed to different organisations, like the MAIB for example. For the hirer, the private boat owner, will be mindful of the BHBF. ( Broads Hire Boat Federation) . Also. The BM. British Marine. The other which may attract your attention is the QAB. (The Quality Accredited Boatyard Scheme) Run by, guess who? The BHBF. The BHBF is affiliated to BM. The BA (Broads Authority if you have lost the plot) The BA have announced that the QAB will be a mandatory requirement for all hire boat licensing. So. BA (bless), BHBF, BM and the QAB seem to fly in formation. Where do the hire fleets sit within this arena. Not very comfortably I suggest. They may well be required to make drastic changes with regard to trial runs, the design of boats, new and alteration to existing to conform to new legislation. Some craft will be considered not viable to conform and will be sold or otherwise disposed. Your private boat? Fear not. For the immediate future. For the time being. Insurance companies will insure you. But they will be aware of your obligation to provide a safe environment for your guest, your family, your friend. You may have to demonstrate that you have made a provision for their safety. Andrew Old Wussername

Ah! Somewhat of a conundrum Sabby. Certainly not an old byelaw. However, if you were to ask an old wherry skipper he would tell you of an ancient act which states that you are allowed to anchor anywhere, on any stretch of water, on any bank for one full turn of the tide. There were conditions however. Note the word anchor. Only one rope or mooring warp. The skipper was not allowed to wander off or enter the land for any purpose other than to attend to his line. Makes sense do you not think in those days of yore. As far as I am aware the act has never been rescinded. Pick a manicured lawn leading down from an established mansion to the waters edge. Let us know how you get on.

I agree FF. However, every place is a bad place to have an incident. Evidently they have been coming to the broads for over twenty years. Makes you think does it not, could have happened to anybody.

Might help to plug a few "holes" https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/five-rescued-from-sinking-herbert-woods-boat-norfolk-9279664

OBB. Have you ever been inside a boat which has been submerged following the tide conditions which were prevalent on that particular day?

One could add to the list, paddle boards and canoes, both of which have increased and are increasing in numbers.

I suspected that was the sign. Landowners have a responsibility to themselves. To maintain thier lands for thier future. I understand that. They also need to recognise that they need to acknowledge our support and our appreciation. We need a common understanding, respect, unfortunately lacking to the detriment of the common cause. That needs to be addressed by us all. Who is able to task this idea? I do not know. What I do know, however, is that a forum, this forum, has the ability to identify the problem. Not able to solve it, but, perhaps attract the attention of those responsible, with authority, to offer guidance, commitment to a solution.

Sorry, bit confused, What signs?

I wish to inform you that my grandfather, William Bramwell Jenner, a trawler skipper, for his efforts, mine sweeping in a Lowestoft trawler, in the Mediterranean, was awarded a gold medal, together with the honour of flying the skull and crossbones from his boat, by the King of Serbia. All documented with providence by the family.

The sweet spot for military aircraft is just above Norwich. Dog fights, to the East and to the North. Mostly F15 and the 35. Around 20,000ft. You do not see them, but certainly hear them. At 27000 USA heavy, coming into Mildenhall, fighters into Lakenheath, and who knows that which comes into Marham. . Some you see, some you hear. Some come in, early, very early in the morning. All a bit spooky.

Thas a funny old do mister Vaughan! You a torken France French like wot a good old norfolk boy do! I would be in a right old larther I would an all!

The boat was camouflaged. On one occasion a member of this forum said to MM " Hi! MM, did not see you on the river Ant this weekend" MM replied " Thank you "

We all have a defined moral compass which embraces our standards. Acknowledged and respected by us all. Some do not. Within our complex society we have children, the elderly, the vunerable. There are those who have no compunction whatsoever in contravening those standards. It is those people who we have to legislate against. Those who live in our society. Drug dealers, terrorists, activists. The drone has become a toy. There needs to be more control. You do not have to look very far, across Europe to witness its impact, on peoples lives.

I do not think that anyone has challanged your comment that the broads is for everybody to enjoy.

You may dislike the thought of a nanny state, a derogatory term which may suit your argument, an over played card, in my point of view. The broads, has changed enormously over the last few years, it is time that we re visit standards, practices, disciplines. Others have already decided. It will effect dramatically the hire industry and ultimately impact the private boater in the very near future. Our intransigence will have given others the ability to drastically influence the future of boating as we know it.

Do those who break the rules conform to regulations. I think not. Do we have the means, the finance, the resolve. I think not.

Some of this future technology will filter down to the private sector. In this respect I share Vaughan's concern. Perhaps we should share this concern, as I do.

The problem is of course is who owns the drone. Your local pervert, an enthusiastic photographer, an estate agent perhaps,or a farmer, electricity engineers inspecting pylons, the Fire Brigade. Who knows. Forgot to mention, the police. You would be amazed of the number of drones they have in Norfolk. Forget all this silly business of Police Interceptors on television, drones are the most effectual observance bit of kit imaginable. Do not mess with a police drones. There is not a single day in Norfolk that they are not used. You do not see them, you do not hear them. They have very high definition cameras that cover enourmous distance at a very high operational height. They do not match the capabilities of the military drone. However in the fullness of time they will as the former progresses to embrace future technology.

Yes there is a byelaw. But no good. From Mr & Mrs Duck.