A continuous pattern

HAVING read narrowboatworld over the years, a continuous pattern emerges. First we hear about the state of the system and the lack of maintenance. As the boating season starts, we hear about continuous cruisers, overstaying moorers, speeding boaters, licence dodgers and cyclists, writes Peter Ponting.

We then progress to hire boaters, CaRT in general and volunteers.

Value for money

In April this year, we will have had our boat for five years. So we have paid over £4,000 in license fees to CaRT. Do we get value for money? Well generally speaking, yes we do.

In 2012 we spent six months on the canal network, travelled nearly 600 miles, and although it was the worst summer on record, we had a good time, with no major hold-ups, only flooded rivers.

Receipt for disaster

It seems that the way CaRT are trying to improve the waterways, is to employ as many people as possible who have experiences outside of this specific area, to make it work better. A recipe for disaster.

I have spoken to many employees of CaRT, who will tell you the problems regarding maintenance, enforcement, etc, etc.

But alas, CaRT like so many industries of today does not listen to the foot soldiers on the ground. People who have worked on a certain stretch of canal for many years. They know every nut, bolt and rivet of that section, yet they are never heard by increasing numbers of individuals who claim to be managers.

Boating community

Next we look at the boating community.

The people who actually pay a substantial amount to the coffers of the management fund of CaRT, in fact the vast majority of funds. (Please let that be minuted.)

The first question to ask is: "Who owns narrowboats? "

Hire companies, people living aboard, leisure owners, working boaters.

In our marina at Saul Junction on the Gloucester/Sharpness Canal, approx 50% of the boats are live aboard.

Free water, cheap electricity, pump out facilities, Elsan disposal, fuel, gas, showers, laundry, chandlery. What more could you want?

Worst complainers

Yet these 50% are the worst complainers. They complain about anything, yet never take their boats out,

They tell you the hard luck story of how they had to sell their luxury house because of the economic crisis, and blame it on everybody else except themselves.

Then you have the people who want to live a different lifestyle. To travel the system and keep away from society. That is good, but remember about generator noise and times to run them.

My favourite subject is continuous cruisers/over stayers and speeders.

Simple tracking system

In this modern era of communication, do you not think it is possible for the CaRT hierarchy to invest in a simple tracking system?

Every licenced boat would be fitted with a tracking device costing £43 (paid by CaRT as part of your licence fee)

The programme to run it would cost approx £6,000 per annum.

CaRT could then monitor every boat on the system, without the need for enforcement officers patrolling the network, unless to issue warnings.

This will only affect those who think they own the canal....