Wussername

What is the situation with regard to personal injury. I presume that the private boat will have personal injury insurance but what happens, due to a hires negligence, a member of a private boats crew is injured, or any crew on any boat come to that. Can the person who caused the injury be pursued and if that said person is of limited means would it be worthwhile? Or is the hire boat itself and its helm covered by insurance indirectly by the owner?

The most basic of discipline with regard to any database is that of a backup. Son, father and grandfather. But I am confident that you are well aware of that. Old Wussername

Yes I agree. One word "hire" Needs to be addressed. We owe much to the hire industry and its customers for the foundation of the broads we enjoy today. Old Wussername

Um! Sorry to intrude. Don't wish to cause a fuss. I don't go out much. May I ask how many of you watch television. I can remember the time when a profanity was used you would here a "BEEP". Have you watched TV later? There is nothing, absolutely nothing considered sacrosanct. Bring back the BLEEP. You may wish to consider the playground for children for a starter. Best of luck on that. Our children and their children, our grandchildren will determine the outcome. In the meantime we must with a "bleep,bleep, bleep, do our very bleep best"

Such is life Mouldy. You have to live with it. I do. I help people these days, of course but but I do hang back a bit some times. Last year, on me wall, at Reedham, a day boat was pinned on a lee shore. They shunted backwards and forwards. Bang on the boat in front, bang onto the boat behind. I walked over and politely said " may I help and get you on your way" A women appeared and said in a very loud voice. "We can manage THANK YOU VERY MUCH " I retired gracefully. Sat back on me wall. Mrs Wussername brought me a cup of tea. Life was good. The boat continued at various speeds to release itself. To no avail. The helm looked at me. I smiled and drank my tea. Was it because I'm old. I look old. Perhaps that is why they chose to ignore me. Who knows. I finished my tea. I smiled at him. He came over and said " I'm sorry mate my wife did not mean to be rude and she would like to apologise." I said that I would accept her apology. We stood and looked at each other. There was a hush. For several minutes. Nothing was said. He disappeared and after a long period of time she appeared and said " I'm sorry" nothing more, nothing less. A few minutes later after a few words of advice, and a wave, they were on their way.

Some boats you can steer in reverse without any problem whatsoever. Some are absolute pigs. Some 42ft boats i have reversed with no problems at all, over several metres, and more, negotiated 90 degree bends in the process to their mooring. All day long. The worst boat ever, is the so called picnic boat. Length I don't know, 32ft, 36ft. Hired to those of little or no experience. An absolute minefield to moor stern on. Many a time at Womack I have been told what to do. I have often felt like saying, OK mate you do it! Hop on and I'll do the shouting bit. It is not that easy for some, especially the holiday maker and I sometimes feel concerned that some are so critical, especially when the actions of some private boats beggars belief. And without exception, may I suggest that we have all been there.

Blast me Mr Vorn your a rummen. Do you hev got all them old boys a wurrian cos there buts are on the slantandicular. Do therl never look the same on them agin.

Is it not true that osmosis can effect the integrity of a GRP hull?

Some of which are looking very "tired".

Know your dog I suppose. Some cannot, do not swim. A lifejacket for some is so important.

Clare, lovely to meet you. Email, so impersonal, forum would be so good. Whatever was the bounder up to. Trust me, I won't let it go any further than Thorpe St Andrew, the River Green. Old Wussername.

Ah! The bobble hat. Essential. The bobble protected the head getting in and out through the door. In the day all norfolk boat builders were 4ft 8. The tall ones 5ft 2.

It happens I'm afraid. Difficult to judge. Difficult to manage. Difficult to resolve. I have a concern in that many people read the forums and decide, this is not for us! These are isolated instances, they really are. I have met many holiday makers, as an employee on a boat yard, as a visitor on a mooring. Without exception I cannot ever remember a negative holiday experience. Sure, this was over several years, so perhaps if I am honest there was a few who were not happy, not for them. But few are far between.

My Consultant, a gentleman of undoubtedly knowledge and experience, told me during my darkest hours, to keep my spirits up and drink plenty of fluids. After several nips of an exceedingly good malt accompanied by one or two pints of a well known Suffolk tonsil rinse may I strongly recommend this panacea of all ills. I retire at night, feeling somewhat mellow, content, wondering what delights my dreams have in store.

It was has been and forever thus. And will be for ever so. Unless, some bright spark provides a solution. Generations have seeked the solution. All have failed. .

That was a good story. I throughly enjoyed it. I love the Southern waters and I thank you for showing them in such a positive way. They have much to offer the discerning boater. You may invite me next time if you so wish. I am in great demand. I so wish! Andrew.

Can I have a go please? Sadly, my boating days are nearly over. I am of an age where I am challenged. Getting on it, getting off it. I do not feel confident. I feel so frustrated, it was my life. I spend many days at Reedham, Womack, Ranworth, Ludham... wherever. Watching people, boaters. A Broadsman, ? No. A Boatman, Perhaps.

I would like to toast to that.

It was a memorable evening. Good food, good wine, good company. I have had many such evenings during my life on the river. That was one of the best and one which I will always remember.

Mouldy, FF, Vaughan, I have appreciated your contribution, it is relevant. Time to put a reef in. Tomorrow is another day. Just as important as yesterday. I look forward to that day. It will be challenging and I hope rewarding. And be beneficial.

Cannot argue with that Mouldy. But I do question management's involvement, commitment, to the trial run. Not all, but some. Andrew Oh! And thank you for your reply. It is important.

I accept that they have received instruction. What instruction, whose instruction, what qualified instruction? You do need to be more specific. Other's may question, may question the actual value and integrity of that instruction, knowledge, experience, indeed the ability to teach and share that understanding.

Interesting post. What is a nominated skipper! And, of what?

The MAIB has stated that it does not have the authority to pass legislation based on its findings with regard to an incident and as far as I am aware neither does the Broads Authority. On the 23rd May there will be a further inquest into the Yarmouth tragedy to be held at the Norwich Coroners Court An inquest is generally concerned with fact finding and is not a trial or fault finding process. The coroner’s court does not pass legislation. At the conclusion of an inquest the Coroner may decide, in certain limited circumstances, that action may need to be taken to prevent or reduce the possibility of further fatalities and send a report to any authority with power to take such action. "the power to take such action" is not to be ignored. Such action could impact on the hire industry and also the private sector.. Both sectors would be well advised to offer a constructive contribution towards such a situation with positive and reasoned suggestions. Andrew

It would seem from the general consensus of opinion that most if not all those who have commented on this subject would favour a revisit to the whole issue of the handover or so called trial run. Where opinion does differ is which or what new approach should be considered. Some 50 years ago nearly any person who worked on the boat yard could be asked “Would you take Mr A N Other down river for a few minutes and show him the ropes” and in this respect that is exactly what happened. The person who carried out the trial run would have had no formal training whatsoever. In fact his training or knowledge was obtained by that age old adage of “see one, do one, teach one.” Thus it was no surprise that each and every employee on the yard would have his own particular take or unique way of imparting his skill and knowledge of boating. He was neither taught how to teach, or establish priorities as part of the process. Every trial run would be different, it was the same on every boat yard and trial runs were conducted differently on each individual boat yards. Throughout Broadland, North and South everybody did it differently. I have not had a trial run for many years, more years than I like to remember, but my belief is that very little has changed. There is no common format to the trial run unlike learning to fly a private aeroplane or motor car. It is pot luck what you get and I sometimes watch people arriving at a mooring, leaving a mooring and come to the simple conclusion that they have not been shown how to do it. Next time you are at Ranworth, Womack, Reedham wherever stand on the bank and watch. It is NOT all about speed, they have been told to do it slowly. Watch carefully, at some time during the manoeuvre from a virtually stationery position they will, from the throttle put an enormous amount of ENERGY into the boat in a relatively confined situation. They have little understanding of which way, direction, the boat is going and which way their stern is going. That is the important bit. The boat itself is not speeding, the stern certainly is, it is scything round in an alarming manner, out of control containing a huge amount of kinetic energy. It is that energy which is absorbed, fragmented, and dispersed into your boat causing huge amounts of damage. There must be a clear understanding between all parties of a defined objective of the trial run. The health and safety of people must have precedence over all other matters, followed by the protection and respect of people’s property. This can only be achieved by a delegated authority establishing criteria’s and standards of behaviour which is identifiable and recognised by all. Trial Run drivers and boat owners, both private and hires would have to conform to this standard. Thus, irrespective of which hire fleet you leave from you will have had a basic tuition covering identical and relevant practice. The boatyard would be able to add to this standard if they should wish. This will only be achieved by having trial run drivers who have a recognised accreditation with regard to their skills and ability to impart that knowledge. There are other factors which must be taken into consideration. There are those who argue, suggest, that we should adopt a test of competence and certification for those who conform and pass. They would then be granted privileges to cruise our rivers. I think that this is fundamentally wrong and unworkable. That which I believe should be given consideration is for hirers to have a log book of experience. Dated and signed by a dedicated and recognised trial run driver. The very first question the trial run instructor will ask is have you been before. That will determine your progress through the system and the instructor’s course of action. If you answer that you have been several times you will be asked if you really need a trail run. There will be demonstrated actual proof to the instructor that there is a history, an audit trail of experience. In this respect if you reply positively that you feel confident then your “log book” would be signed and stamped and you would then be fast tracked through the system and allowed on your way. No system is foolproof, and in its initial stages open to abuse by a minority. There are those who arrive on the boatyard with years of experience who can legitimately claim “Grandfather Rights” and by their demeanour, their approach and general knowledge would easily be able to convince a seasoned instructor of their sincerity and honesty and be granted that privilege in the first stages of the scheme of being considered capable of having to have an actual river instruction to be considered unnecessary. Those who choose to convince an instructor of ability, experience, knowledge, that does not exist can subsequently in the event of an incident can expect serious consequences. Heavy fines, court fees and reimbursement to those who have been financially disadvantaged by their actions. All craft should carry an incident report form to be completed and sent to a recognised authority where a situation exits where one or both parties involved consider it necessary. This would serve the purpose of recording the frequency of such incidents and an audit trail of events, circumstances, injuries and damaged caused. This in effect would place greater emphasis on accountability and disciplines that exist on our waterways. For those who leave an incident refusing to exchange details when requested could expect to be pursued with a possible fine or other measures taken. It would also enable a version of events to be challenged. Thus there would exist accountability and consequences for the minority who treat behaviour and conduct with such disregard. In conclusion the above is not a panacea of all ills but an attempt to achieve some order in a system which has evolved over many year, seen many changes, many values eroded including those of common sense, discipline, communication and consideration.