The lack of boats

I AGREE with Victor's observations, but disagree with Jimmy Nolan's article 'lack of moving boats' at least with regards to the sections of the Trent & Mersey and Coventry Canals I've cruised on in the last seven days, writes Ralph Freeman.

Jimmy's statement:

'With the number of moored boats however at visitor moorings that are obviously more or less permanent.' seems well wide of the mark especially here on the Coventry Canal at the height of the 'silly season'.

An example

The Coventry Canal near Whittington has two sets of 'visitor' moorings which give good access to the Co-op store and the two pubs in the village. The moorings are adjacent to Whittington Bridge and Bridge 80. I have enclosed two photos showing both sets of moorings completely empty. Bearing in mind they were taken around 3pm on Saturday 9th August, I suggest the real situation to be 'lack of boats' rather than 'lack of moving boats'.

When I left the 48hr moorings by the Plough at Huddlesford there were still spaces available, despite it being lunchtime on a Saturday.

Sweeping generalisations

It's easy to suggest visitor mooring are full of boats permanently moored there, but I suggest complaints should refer to specific examples and proof, such as photos should be given, rather than making sweeping generalisations that can cause boaters to be misled.

For instance I have had no problems mooring at Great Haywood, Taft's Farm, and Handsacre on the Trent & Mersey and Huddlesford on the Coventry Canal in the last few days. I would suggest making generalisations and implying they are true across the system as a whole, is not very helpful.

Of course if you roll up at 7pm and expect to find a mooring at a 'honeypot' site, then you will find problems. In my experience this has always been the case during the summer months.

Pro active enforcement?

It is clear that the current situation, where 'colonies' of moorers often moored out in the sticks have now gone, is the likely result of more active enforcement by CaRT and well done to those involved. I've no objection to this as, for instance, some boats have been moored in roughly the same position for years, not a stones throw from Huddlesford. They have been 'extracting the urine' to put it mildly!

Continuous cruising for all?

However, claiming that everyone is now a continuous cruiser whether they have a home mooring or not is going too far! As always, it is those that have been playing the game, often for many years, that are paying the price. Surely that is not what a Charitable Trust should be pursuing by any means, legal or otherwise?

Let's hope NABO, the only boaters organisation, in my opinion, that dare stick it's head over the parapet, can persuade Dean Davis, Richard Parry and the like that CaRT's current policy is a step too far.