Wussername

I am mindful that some of our visitors and indeed some of our experienced members can be confused, indeed feel intimidated by the number of rules and regulations, bye laws and statutes that exist for those of us who wish to simply mess about in a boat. In order to achieve this ideal, many words, opinions, interpretations and discussions have been deliberated on this very matter. For many a daunting prospect to collate and understand the intrinsic complexity of this important requirement. Worry not. At considerable expense, time and thought, I have compiled, at great sacrifice, free of charge, the definitive guide to an abridged version of this complex issue. With the start of the holiday season nearly upon us it is considered appropriate to launch this informative guide. The Broads National Magical Waterways Bye Laws and Statuary Regulations Abridged 2015 Bye Law 1/1 COMMON SENSE Bye Law 1/2 CONSIDERATION If in doubt please refer to Bye Law 1/3 Bye Law 1/3 REFER TO BYE LAW 1/1 OR BYE LAW 1/2 Happy Boating.

London Rascal quote: What I do think would be helpful is if the owners of the marinas were the ones to bring in outside security contractors – to cover the area at night complete with a couple of Alsatians. It would not take long for the thrives to leave the area well alone not so much because of the risk of the ‘plastic police’ coming after them, more the risk of the dogs having a good few bites before they were called away." Manned security can be very expensive. You would probably be looking at somewhere in the range of £30 per hour. £360 per night. Not sure about the dog bit, the guards would have to have licences issued by the SIA and I am not sure if they authorise the use of dogs. I think not.

Please see below an interesting contribution to this issue from PC Stuart Does. Posts: 16 Joined: Oct 2013 The first step owners should take is to ensure the most secure and suitable anti-theft device for their particular engine and boat is installed. In some local constabularies police have introduced branded engine covers which are fitted instead of the standard factory supplied cowling. This acts as a deterrent as a thief would then be forced to buy a new cowling, thereby drawing attention to themselves and arousing suspicion. Any engine that can be removed easily is an obvious target for thieves and, given the growing scale of the problem, many owners are deciding to fit more than one anti-theft device. Obviously the more visibly secure an engine is, the less likely it is that a thief will attempt to take it. Given the poor rates of recovery success, prevention is definitely better than cure and not only for this reason but also because if a loss does occur it may affect the price of future insurance premiums. Owners should also ensure that their insurance policy wording relating to anti-theft devices are complied with in full to avoid the possibility of a claim being invalidated due to failure to comply with all policy wordings. Owners should further ensure that all serial numbers are recorded as this information will be required by insurers and the police in the event of a theft. It is also worth bearing in mind that claims made on marine policies for outboard motors are paid on an indemnity basis as unfortunately there is no provision or entitlement to a new-for-old settlement. Further security measures include marking the engine somewhere with your own unique mark such as a post code and also taking photographs Technological advances in recent years have made motion-activated surveillance cameras (MASC) very discrete and inexpensive to buy and install. These automatically photograph and/or record any movement and wireless cameras have made surveillance possible in remote areas where it was not in the past. There are a range of general purpose MASC’s that can be used although not all will have adjustable sensitivity or be suitable to mount directly on a boat, although these may be suitable for shore mounted use. There are also a range of marine specific infra-red, solar powered and time-lapse video security cameras available. When storing a boat ashore consideration should be given to general security, such as lighting and ensuring that recorded CCTV covers the appropriate part of the yard being used. Boat and yard owners should also be vigilant, particularly during autumn and winter months when dark nights begin to set in. Finally there is some evidence of smaller engines being stolen from boats while they are afloat, so a collective effort is required by all concerned to be observant and alert and to report any suspicious activity immediately to the police. Pc 1045 Stuart DOE Wildlife Crime Investigator North Walsham Police Station Yarmouth Road, North Walsham. Telephone - 101 email - does@norfolk.pnn.police.uk

A good idea John. However if you live several miles from your boat it has its limitations. To involve a security company to respond to an activation would be expensive and possibly not very effective. But perhaps, just perhaps, a Boat Watch system could be introduced. It would not be beyond the wit of man to form a group, a non profit organisation, of like minded people, who would receive text alert of an attack on a boat. If close to the vicinity they possibly could respond and observe. I am not suggesting for one minute to interfere, that would be foolish, but certainly a call to the police to confirm criminal activity would be a step forward. Finally, a prominent notice, on the boat, stating that BOAT WATCH is present, and will result in an immediate response might just be sufficient for the criminals to go elsewhere.

Do you know that one of the dirtiest and germ infested item you ever come in contact with. Possibly on a weekly basis. Certainly a "hand contact" that is rarely cleaned, if ever. I will tell you. The handle of the supermarket trolley!

The theft of an outboard. What it can really mean. A local gentleman's pride an joy. One of his greatest pleasures was to take his grandchildren on the river. Sadly no more. Not content with stealing they also trashed the boat. It is difficult to put into words the contempt one has for these people.

Sorry for the obvious spelling mistakes, I blame pre emptive text and Mrs Merlot and her friend Cab Sauv!

My third visit to the Morning Boat Show was thoughly enjoyable. Parked at Bewilderwood......free. Then £1 return ticket to the village. You cannot get better value. Then visited the village hall area. Great to see the Broads Beat in attendance together with the local Coastguards. The choir was fantastic as indeed, without exception, the exhibitors. Walking down the hill, to the river to see the other exhibitors on the river as well as "Bank side" was a credit to the organisers and the exhibitors. For the first time my wife and I decided to visit the Horning sailing club. There was little to encourage a visit, except for one gentleman who was standing by the bridge and recommended a visit if only for a cup of tea at 50p. I have passed the club house, on the river, by cruiser many many times. I often thought that it would be a very elitist group of people. Today duty bound to do their " bit for Horning" Nothing could have been further from the truth. My wife and I were made very welcome. So much so that Mrs Wussername, completely out of character, declared that she would like to try sailing in a dinghy. Having paid £5 each, we were suitably suited and booted,with life jackets, signed a disclaimer in case we drowned and away we went, in a Yoeman. I thought it would be up river to Blackhorse broad and back. But no! An hours sailing with a top instructer, in fact it transpired that I was privalidged to sail with one of the Vice Presidents of the club. A great experience. I got to helm for most of the trip. A bit white knuckle I have to say. Not for me mind. I was ignorant of my inability to control the beast. I honestly feel that this particular event will go from strength to strength, and could become an occasion where, with suitable commentary from the river green, have the ability for hire companies to "show case" their new additions to their fleet cruising down the river. Would it not be wonderful to see the likes of Raisener, Maidie, Forrester, and some of the other classic cruisers showing off in front of people who rarely have the opportunity to see these wonderful boats. One must not forget the iconic wherries leading the modern private craft of our generation. So, perhaps an opportunity for Horning to provide that extra push to promote The Broads, not only to our visitors but to Norfolk people in general. They are well placed to provide such a contribution.

Oh dear! I thought that we were in for some well earned respite. Seriously though. Have a good time.

I hate it when posts go off topic. Disgraceful, the people responsible should realise that they have a degree of responsibility. Here we are having a riveting discussion about painting and now Grace wants to take her clothes off!! Whatever is the forum coming too?

I understand your stance completely Iain but I would ask you to give consideration to my final contribution as it may interest others. I also understand if you consider it to be prudent to take action To enlighten you further Dajen a meeting was held at Ranworth with a representative of the Broads Authority only the other day to discuss this very problem. One of the suggestions put forward was to have a small fence erected to keep dogs out. This was dismissed by the Authority on the grounds of cost. I was not privy to the final outcome. With regard to photographs being taken by the shop owner and his staff is hardly a satisfactory solution. After all he has a living to make and is not the local dog warden. As this conversation is rapidly becoming somewhat infantile I think that I will bow out and leave others to draw their own conclusions.

I did not state that you dismissed dog fouling. But you most certainly refered to it in a dismissive tone. Regarding meeting you on Friday I regret I have more important matters to attend. However all is not lost on your quest for authentication. May I direct you to Steve and his staff at the Ranworth shop who witness this issue on a regular basis, if not on a daily basis. I have spoken to him and he will be more than happy to enlighten you. Finally the grass was cut about four days ago. Dogs mess was cascaded throughout the area. A bit like a crop sprayer actually. Today, some 30 children from a local school arrived at lunchtime.Where did they sit? I will tell you. On the grass. I do not find this imposition acceptable by any measure.

For those of you who have not stood in a "barkers egg" may consider themslves extremely fortunate. For those who have experienced this on a regular basis, especially when wearing yachting shoes with complex non slip soles will find it memorable. In fact it could well turn biblical as you blissfully cart the contents of your shoe onto the deep pile of the axminster in your lounge. The intrinsic complexity of the design could well involve the use of a tooth pick, whilst sitting aft. Happy boating.

I will tell you what I hate about the broads, with a passion. It is the smell of the "full english" wafting gently on the early morning breeze. And I haven't got one.

My dear Poppy. Your disparaging comments concerning the "day glow" Fusileers are not helpful. It is a wondress thing, this bridge. Not exactly an Angel of the North, however, a suitable structure to perhaps welcome those who pass under it that they have entered a National Park. (which of course they haven't). This brings me very nicely to question where this bridge actually goes too. Postwick marsh? Is their something we don't know about? Bit like our National Park in some ways.

Why is The Gentlemen of The Lake pointing in the wrong direction? Old Wussername

On the 15th April the Norfolk Fire Service dealt with 25 incidents throughout the county. In total 38 crews were involved. According to the Norfolk Fire Service, at 13:25 were requested to attend an incident at Rockland Broad. Loddon, Earlham and Thetford attended crews attended. The EDP stated that crews from London, Earlham and Thetford attended. At 15:44 a major incident on a Thetford industrial estate, involving a fire in a paint factory occurred. The owner of the factory complained that the response time was unsatisfactory and was informed, after three 999 calls that the fire crew were still on the A11 and would attend as soon as possible. (Some 60 fire fighters were eventually on scene) It is easy to be critical of a service which over the last few years has seen a dramatic decrease in funding. There is the unknown. Were the crew on a training exercise close to the incident and therefore considered appropriate to be utilised for this incident. Also to be taken into consideration is that crews from all over Norfolk stand in, at other stations, as cover for the resident crew if they are not available, for example staff shortages. In brief, we are not privy to the logistics of running a service which like other emergency services such as our police and ambulance services are considered low hanging fruit for authorities to achieve budgets which have been imposed upon them. JM, I think that you could well be correct in stating that "the suits" have little understanding of local requirements, resources, geographical limitations unique to Norfolk due perhaps to so called centralisation. However I do believe, that to achieve the expectation of others who seem to avoid accountability, we must accept that change has not been for the better.

Wots the moorings like at Donny then? Wuss

Three fire engines! One crew came from Thetford!! By the way, one or two incidents on the Southern rivers of late, but no mention of the SOB. Although I hasten to add a BA launch was in attendance.

Might be a solution Iain to recycle a boat. But at what cost. In the first instance you have to capture the thing up, possibly from some inaccessible dyke somewhere where it has been abandoned. I think many people buy old boats with every intention of doing them up and then for whatever reason, financial, health, or lack of interest can no longer complete the task. Unfortunately leaving someone else to pick up the bill. I think that this problem could well increase for the next generation. Old Wussername.

I like looking at the pictures of old woodies, I can even remember driving some of them. But what has happend to them all? Have they all been sunk somewhere? Is there somewhere on the broads a great big mound of ash? Or, have they ended up in someone's wood burner? Perhaps they are just "resting" on a bank somewhere, on chocks, waiting for some TLC! However. The question is what will happen to all the present day plastic boats ( for the use of a better word) when they are no longer able to be maintained. No longer cost effective to keep them afloat. How will we dispose of them. They won't rot away, you can't burn them. Is there a solution? Old Wussername

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/a47_weekend_closures_means_significant_delays_for_motorists_1_4034764 Interesting PDF map for this weekend. Courtesy of the EDP. Do not forget to bring a flask of coffee. Monopoly for the kids would be good! Old Wussername

I suspect that a Scot/Norfolk accent is quite magical

Geoff and Wendy. That might, just might, be a good move. You only need for someone to have a slight biff on the A47 eastbound in the roadworks area for massive delays to occur.