Boat Safety Scheme consultation
In March, the BSS began consulting boaters on proposals contained in its Examination Checking Procedures. The revisions apply to checks used in examinations of privately owned boats, managed boats in private use, and boats subject to the 2017 Hire Boat Requirements. The consultation concerns the introduction of two mandatory BSS requirements by amendments to existing BSS checks. The two increased requirements are:
1. On boats with petrol propulsion engines, requiring evidence of recent servicing for any Wilderness Boats conversion of an Electrolux RM 212 refrigerator, BSS Check 8.2.2R
2. Clarification that ferrous or cast iron fittings, joints and components used in LPG pipework, are not compliant with BSS Check 7.8.3R.
It is also proposed to introduce 20 relaxations by reducing some requirements or allowing additional compliance options. Details of these are provided in the consultation. The BSS considers that the improvements are necessary and proportionate means of risk control that will improve the consistency of applying BSS checks by examiners. Send comments on the amendments to the BSS by Tuesday 31st May 2022. The consultation is available at www.boatsafetyscheme.org/ECPconsultation and a summary of the views expressed and the BSS response will be published in the summer.
CRT are talking earnestly to the Government about the renewal of their contract to operate the canal and river system.
Could there possibly be a worse time for CRT to negotiate a financial settlement with DEFRA and the Treasury?
But they are trying, and it is time for us to press our MPs to support CRT, despite our concerns about the organisation.
Remember that going back to Government-controlled BW would be a nightmare, just like the current EA.
So we need you all to write to your MP.
We have prepared a draft letter and you can find it here.
Please take time to personalise it and send it off in the next week or two.
It will make a difference.
Remember you to be effective, you should write to your own MP, quoting your address.
A public consultation by the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) on proposals within a clarified and improved set of BSS Examination Checking Procedures (ECP) opened today Monday 7 March and will run to Tuesday 31 May 2022 and is available on its website www.boatsafetyscheme.org/ECPconsultation
The revisions to the BSS ECP are the product of many months of work by the BSS stakeholder committees and the revisions are commended by the BSS Management Committee. They apply to checks used in the examination of Privately owned and managed boats in private use as well boats subject to the 2017 Hire Boat Requirements.
Read more: BSS consultation on two new examination requirements
CRT have launched the latest round of consultation on proposals to respond to the issues of overcrowding, misbehaviour and lack of services in the London area. We encourage all members, even if they're not thinking of going to London, to complete the survey. We are sure these charges will be a model for use elsewhere such as Bath. There is plenty of opportunity in the response to put in your comments. It is a once off snap survey, so you might need to prepare. It does not look as though you can part complete and save. The survey runs to March(?).
We have prepares a pdf of the survey pages, with the intent that you can read it a prepare before doing the actual submission on line. It is here.
The CRT link is here:
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/consultation-on-managing-mooring-space-in-inner-london
The project’s aim is to divert water from Minworth Waste Water Treatment Facility, which normally flows into the River Tame and on to the Trent/Humber and out to sea, and transfer it to the South East where water is in short supply. Using the Grand Union Canal as a conduit for this is one of several schemes being evaluated. Water would be taken by pipeline (two possible routes) to join the canal near Braunston. It would then be abstracted in Hertfordshire: possible locations are Leighton Buzzard, Tring or Hemel Hempstead. The EA favours Leighton Buzzard so that water is not taken over the Tring summit as apparently this could adversely affect chalk streams in the area.
The project also aims to improve biodiversity, could tackle the problem of invasive species etc. For example, zander and signal crayfish are prevalent in some parts and their spread must be avoided. The whole canal will be surveyed, pound by pound, to inform calculations of flow and how a slight increase in water level might affect boating (e.g. under low bridges).
The project group needs local information from other parties to flag up any constraints they might face. I suggested that they contact boat clubs; their members will be aware not just of boating issues but also be representatives of local communities. They may also be able to identify other opportunities for improvement (e.g. to towpaths). If members who are particularly familiar with the GU between Braunston and Tring know of any issues that the project leaders should take into consideration, please let me know and I will pass them on.
Helen Hutt