----- Original Message -----
From: "Julian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 9:20 AM
Subject: [canals-list] Lifejackets, VHF and licences
> As someone who uses rivers quite a lot these days I seem to be seeing more
> and more what I would class as irresponsible attitudes and behaviour.
>
> Take the first item lifejackets: it seems that more and more people are
> venturing out onto tidal rivers without a lifejacket, this to me is
> stupid.
> It is all too easy to miss your footing when moving around outside the
> boat and in you go. In the water without a life jacket in the Pool of
> London I wouldn't give much for your chances on a busy day. I have had a
> couple of near misses when its been rough only the rails on the outside of
> the barge have stopped me going in.
> They should be made compulsory on all tidal rivers.
>
> On to the second VHF: I applaud the PLA for bringing this in,it should
> have been above 10m, it's about time.
> If the "captain" of the Marchioness had been able to hear his VHF (I
> believe it wasn't loud enough to get over the volume of the music) he
> would have known that the dredger was departing and could have kept out of
> the way. The same goes for any other boat on the tideway, all reporting
> vessels have to notify when they leave so if you listen, you know what big
> stuff is about and can keep a look out and stay out of their way.
>
> Licences: It's about time a licence became compulsory with a practical and
> theoretical test. Some of the boat handling I have seen on the Thames in
> the last couple of weeks has been appalling, people completely unaware of
> their surroundings, in a world of their own, not realising that they are
> making it very difficult for the boat behind. Before anyone says anything
> this has usually been when I have been stopped waiting for boats to come
> out of the lock so I have been an observer and not involved.
>
> And finally CEVNI: when is this country going to stop trying to reinvent
> the wheel and adopt the European standard for lights and signs on
> waterways, they are just so much better than the ones in use over here. I
> am not saying that all canals should have a new proliferation of signs
> merely that where they are used they should be the European ones.
>
>
> J
Rules & more rules. What happened to just messing about on boats?
Sue nb Nackered Navvy
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