vanessan

I don't think that sounds like nit-picking, it is probably stating it exactly how it is and that is concerning. Even more reason for the BA to tighten up on the issue surely?

Welcome from me too. If you have only hired day boats before, you may find a larger boat a bit different to handle. I couldn't agree more with what has already been said, take it easy and enjoy the north. Going south and back in the time you have will be very draining. SwanR has made some good suggestions, the Ant is lovely especially this time of year.

One forum member has confirmed that they used Edward William Marine Insurance in the past and I am sure there will be a few others too. When handed the business card last year, I did think about looking to see if we could save money with them. Luckily, I forgot about it! It is only through the forum that I am now aware of them - how many private boat owners are there I wonder who are totally unaware that they are breaching BA insurance guidelines. If the Authority is going to ask for an insurance declaration, then I agree it should also question the validity of the insurance as Keith suggested in his last post.

I do that too! How sensible we females can be.

Now can you be sure of that?

Last year whilst moored up somewhere (I can't remember where but it was at BA 24 hour moorings), a chap was going from boat to boat handing out plastic business cards for Edward William Marine Insurance. Now I know this company is based in Spain and I assume is the one mentioned earlier in this thread. If they are actually touting for business like this they are quite likely to pick up customers along the way, possibly customers who rightly or wrongly would believe their insurance was acceptable to the BA. Very often it is only being a member of a forum that things that appeared black or white suddenly become 50 shades of grey!! (And vice versa too of course.) Mods, if I have written anything untoward here please edit. And I don't mean the 50 shades of grey bit!

All probably very true but isn't it nice to think for one teensy weensy minute that you just might be helping someone? And doing what the signs suggest you should do? I would far rather give the warning and hope to be heard than just not bother. I hope folk don't ignore the 'keep off decks' part of the sign as well!

Good sounding of the horn there Robin!

I don't think we have ever had trouble sounding the horn at Wroxham bridge, doesn't the sign ask you to do so? After all, you wouldn't sound it as you go under, rather in good time to give plenty of warning. Makes good sense to me at bridges like Wroxham where you can't see to the other side.

Just to add to what kfurbank has said - don't forget to sound your horn! Although it does make people look at you, it may serve as a warning to others that you are there and allow them to respond if necessary.

This is going to be really interesting. I am like HA, happy to confirm (or otherwise) that I have what is required and then just get on with it. Having said that, there are times when I wonder if something really was necessary and I end up wishing I hadn't been so quick to acquiesce and had stood my ground. I suppose the BA consider themselves like the dvla, if you don't provide proof of insurance you can't tax your car. But the BA don't have the powers of the dvla. The offer of payment has been made and refused, watch this space!

Depends where he wears them! Our postie wears shorts all year round and there is a chap who walks his 5 dogs locally also in shorts year round. Seems it is quite a common thing.

We very often use the old Southgates yard too for pump outs which are always very well done with plenty of rinses. I have always found them helpful. Having said that, the older gentleman is not what I would call a communicative soul! He may even be a little hard of hearing so may not have heard what was being asked. It's a difficult one this, from the responses to the OP it would seem it is a popular business although on this occasion they appear to have upset a customer. That was quite a whack the stern of the boat suffered, I would be interested to know what the green was that was embedded in the dent Mike, do you know? If it was something in/on the quay heading, it needs to be dealt with before some other poor soul suffers the same fate!

Thank you Sue - fingers crossed.

SueH - did the Hardley Mill posts look like new ones? It was only during the last couple of weeks that Richard (from Hardley Mill Trust) was going to contact the BA to see if their posts could be included in the 'upgrade'. That was my understanding anyway. Hopefully it has all fallen into place.

Probably hoping to collect exorbitant overnight mooring fees!

Yes, at the BA offices, YS and info centres. No doubt eventually at other outlets too.

Ah, that's why cyclists behave like they do then!

There is an update for today as follows: Update on Broads Authority Moorings Electric Meter Upgrade After installing and programming the last few sites between now and Thursday 30 March 2017, it can be confirmed that all Broads Authority electric pillars will be open to the public for use by Friday 31 March 2017. The new meters will be ready to work with the new contactless cards which are being made available through all usual outlets.

I'm a female so none of these things apply to me do they?

Maybe it's the hairy ears and nose...........

This is very true. I strongly disagree with this arbitrary adding on 10% + 2 to a 30mph speed limit. It makes good sense at 60/70mph but IMO 20 and 30mph should be just that, those limits are there for a reason. I'll also add to that - they are limits not targets!

"I think the 10 rule and over night has been dropped. I'm going by the proposed signage at the end of the document. This requires confirmation, but if the 10hr rule is enforced I wonder what the tide will do in that time." Yes, it does look as if the recommendations are for 24 hour mooring with no return within 48 hours. I wonder why 48??? The proposed documentation seems to indicate that the town council will rely on the BA to provide them with details of boat owners so they can write to them demanding payment of the fine. I suppose they will also rely on hire boatyards providing details of their clients as well. Doesn't this bring up the issue of data protection? Or will it work like the DVLA where parking infringements occur - anyone know?

Reading the Thorpe Town Council meeting minutes, it would appear that short stay mooring will be limited to 10 hours with no overnight mooring. That's not going to do much for the local pubs/businesses methinks! Of course, it may be that that the council intends to dissuade most hire boaters and are just seeking to attract day-boaters, canoeists etc. I think having to pay for mooring is probably going to put most people off though.

I believe something similar happened at Ranworth a couple of years ago. There is/was a chap who keeps his eye on the moorings there and makes sure nobody stays more than the 24 hours. A hire boat was moored on the Friday night and turned up again on the Saturday having changed crews that morning. In no uncertain terms he told them they could not moor despite being assured it was a different crew. The boat had been there the night before and that was that! I believe eventually the BA got involved and sorted it all out but not before a lot of heated argument and a bad start to the poor hirers holiday.