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Wussername

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Posts posted by Wussername

  1. Difficult times. Awful. On so many levels. My wife and I seem to lurch from lockdown to lockdown. We are elderly, sprightly, But isolated. Vulnerable or so they tell me. No chance if you get it. Gulp!

    So we don't go  anywhere. I live in the middle of the Norfolk Broads, Ranworth, Reedham on me wall, Womack, Wroxham, Ludham, minutes away. 

    The government have written to me, Broadland District Council have written to me. Personal letters headed Private and Confidential, and to my wife. 

    DO NOT MAKE AN UNECESSARY JOURNEY. YOU ARE AT RISK.............VULNERABLE

    Not even to see our Grandchildren, that is the most difficult part.

    Our life has changed. I do not have to go to Stress Co any more (Tesco). A very nice man delivers it.

    Love to go to Poundland. Smoke and mirrors, but I loved it. But no more. 

    Morrisons after gym at Riverside Norwich but sadly no more. I do miss their pies.

    However, we are drinking more, at home. Alone.

    No longer social drinking, no longer that glass of Sauvignon Blanc on Barton, Ranworth (Mallthouse)  or indeed Bargate.

    My wife and I feel alone. Not abandoned but isolated.

    Another glass my dear.. hic!

     

     

     

    • Like 4
    • Sad 8
  2. 8 minutes ago, JennyMorgan said:

    For all that, Fred, there is a case to be made that it should be funded by the hireboat industry, if it is aimed solely at hirers. If the aim is to produce a general boat handling and information website available to all then the 20K would seem very reasonable as a cost sharing exercise. 

    Would not the private sector welcom, indeed benefit from the boat yards enhanced training expertise.  Extra revenue and a valuable contribution of extra skills to some.

    Andrew

  3. 11 minutes ago, BroadAmbition said:

    Introducing the MK1 Purdey stair stopper (Patent pending)

    Its a left over bit of gloss white UPVC ceiling board (I fit loads of this gear to bathroom ceilings) with some pipe insulation on the ends.  It can be raised / lowered, easily removed / inserted and will not damage the decor 

    This will stay in place whenever she is up and about until she gets the idea that the upstairs is out of bounds

    Griff

     

    BA NBN 875.jpg

     

  4. Basically the trial run consists of three parts. The tour round the outside and inside of the boat which will include fixtures and fittings, in particular, heating, appliances, showers and toilets.  Secondly good boating practice, how to take care of your boat, its crew and the etiquettes which need to be adhered to. Finally, boat handling which to a great extent require hands on at the time of instruction.

    You will observe that some boat yards have developed over the years a sound and disciplined  approach to these matters. Some do not and it is that which the BA seek to address. This difference, this quality , of the trial run which can vary between boat yards.

    To my mind there are certain aspects of the induction which are common irrespective of boat or destiny. These should be prioritised so that each and every hirer has the same basic instruction. Over a period of time all hirers will have been instructed in the same principles once again given the same priority.  For example it may be considered to be appropriate that with a person in the water, at the stern of a motor boat that the engine is stopped immediately. Not put into neutral but stopped. The same would apply to people and so important with regard to children swimming near a boat under power as witnessed at Ranworth and Salhouse. ................

    However I find myself repeating myself time and time again. Only to have it repeated back to me by those who have never undertaken a trial run.

    I will leave you with a thought.

    Every helm makes mistakes, an error of judgement. I have to admit I am guilty as indeed we all are.

    There is however a difference. I know when I am in a muddle. For the most part I know how to manage it.

    Fortunately I am able to deal with it. For the most part.

     

    • Like 5
  5. 22 hours ago, rightsaidfred said:

    Some yards may or may not be hiring later but both some hire yards and private owners have always been around in winter so nothing new, as a linked but separate issue given the moans about tolls how many who want additional ranger services and moorings are prepared  to pay for them, I look forward to the comments after tomorrows nav comm meeting.

    Fred

    I was unable to listen to the meeting unfortunately.

    Was there any provision made for the mooring Quays at Grt Yarmouth, Reedham or Norwich to be manned by a Quay assistant during the extended hiring season. In addition are the water and electric charging facility going to be extended at Reedham and other moorings ?

    I would also like to clarify my understanding of the Quay Assistant position. The person allocated to this duty is not a Ranger  and as such would seem to hold a seasonal task for the Authority and is not offered out of season paid work.

    Andrew

  6. 3 minutes ago, rightsaidfred said:

    Assuming the normal winter restrictions from the hire yards are in place there shouldnt be any hire boats crossing from north to south or visa versa so this shouldnt be an issue.

    Fred

    Is that a given?

    There are hire boats on the Southern Rivers.

    Are not private boats entitled to the same degree of service as the hire fleet from the BA.

    Andrew

     

    • Like 1
  7. It would seem that some of the Norfolk Broads hire fleet will be extending the letting season to the end of November.

    November can be a cruel month, but can also provide a wonderful experience for those who come prepared for an experience like no other. Skeins of geese honking across an early morning sky, the evening flight, deer peeking amongst the reeds. If you are lucky a murmuration of starlings or waders will provide the final curtain on a late autumn day or an early winter day. A Seago day of large Norfolk sky’s, clear sky’s with occasional cloud ending with an occasional squall.

    Are the Broads prepared?

    I think not. The Quay Assistant at Reedham finishes on November 1st

    This particular mooring, or part of it, is controlled by the Broads Authority.

    I do not need to elaborate on the importance of a Quay Assistance on this particular mooring.

    Are other moorings affected?

    Should we be concerned?

    Andrew

    • Like 3
  8. 8 minutes ago, JennyMorgan said:

    Yards that sell on their old boats will, sooner or later, hit the buffers so to speak. The buffers being the availability of moorings. Fifty years ago I worked with a boatbuilder in Chichester Harbour. A very solvent business, whilst it was able to provide moorings. The same happened on Oulton, many years later. In regard to moorings people's demands and expectations are such that the availability of moorings is further restricted. Add to that the constant demands on visitor moorings and the problem becomes even more pronounced. A case of supply & demand. Already I see the advice to prospective owners as being to firstly find a mooring and secondly to go out and find a boat!  

    I wish that I had bought a bit of marsh years ago and turned it into a mooring for several boats. Sounds a lucrative business. Once established few overheads. Good cash flow. Need, an important consideration but as yet never in doubt. Or, have I over simplified the matter.

    • Like 1
  9. Most accidents occur getting on and off a boat.

    Falling in.

    Broken legs, broken ankles, strained ankles. And so on.

    Fending off boats with legs and arms and hands.

    Why? 

    Because people do not read or listen to those who offer or are employed to give advice.

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
  10. 7 minutes ago, LondonGuy said:

    Hi, virgin boater here.

    Are you all very loyal to the broads or have you tried other U.K. waterways?

    If so, how do they compare?

    Are we loyal to the broads?

    Yes. You have got that bit right.

    Have we tried other UK waterways.

    Probably not, but no doubt some have.

    How do they compare?

    I think that you are on the wrong forum, ask elsewhere.

    Old Wussername.

     

  11. 15 minutes ago, Smoggy said:

    I can't find the post I was referring to Wussername but I'm sure it wasn't in referrence to one of yours, it was mentioned that if some is stuck under your boat the helm is obliged to get away but I'm stuffed if I can find it.

    No offence meant.

    No offence taken.

    Not guilty guv re helm obliged to get away.

    It is very rare for this type of incident but I suspect a very difficult one to achieve a satisfactory outcome.

  12. 5 minutes ago, ranworthbreeze said:

    Seeing someone in the water I would slow down and even put the Morse control in neutral whist giving them time to move out of the way, when clear I would proceed slowly keeping a eye on the water for any more swimmers further up the river.

     

    Alan you are an experienced skipper also you know your own boat, in particular you know your boats handling characteristics.

    I have seen hirers inadvertently leaving a  boat in gear whilst mooring. I have even seen one of our members leaving his boat in gear whilst mooring at our Salhouse meet.

    I have seen people using the morse control not knowing where the neutral position is or not knowing how to disengage gears completely.

    I'm sure that I have seen a prop moving albeit very very slowly even in neutral enough to cause injury i suspect. But I may have imagined that bit. Put it down to sans eyes, sans teeth, sans everything!

     

    • Like 4
  13. 50 minutes ago, Smoggy said:

    I'm glad you added that as yes I certainly had just got confused by the cats.

    I have to add that if anyone gets under my boat you can rest assured I will NOT be trying to move it anywhere to get away from you, engines off will be the first action no matter how many rya qualifications someone has.

    I am not trying to be smart or clever and I do understand why the engine needs to be turned off when people are swimming very close to a maneuvering boat.

    What is the recommended action if you suddenly find yourself amongst children in the water, swimming as was the case at Ranworth and Womack two weeks ago.

    What would your state of mind be if heaven forbid you contributed to an accident and is it not appropriate to take action now rather than wait for the conclusion of a judicial judgement which could take months.

     

    • Like 1
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