OK, I'll kick off with a controversial suggestion, and nothing personal John, especially if this has this actually happened to you. I know it can be unpleasant as I ran over a large motorbike on the Curly Wyrley a few years ago.
Obstructions in the canal are a fairly predictable (if unpleasant) part of boating and I'd expect that a boat to be well enough made and maintained to deal with something like a washing machine with little more than scratches and I suppose possibly a tiny dent. Certainly nothing more than entering a lock on the Audlem flight might cause when the bywashes are running strongly! Claiming that BW are in some way "responsible" for the action of the idiots who put it there is especially unhelpful in the current climate as an increasing proportion of an ever smaller pot of money is being diverted from "real" jobs to fund the legal team's latest whim. I'm referring to the culture which has give us cill warning signs, excessive bollards on locks etc. etc. I HATE this litigious culture (no it is NOT a safety culture) with a passion. And to directly answer your question, claim on your insurance and let them chase BW (but I REALLY hope you/they don't.) Steve NB Bream
