Boaters complaining about survey

BOATERS are complaining about the recently issued Boat Owners Survey, with many giving it up, and even some not getting past the first page.

A selection of boaters with an email address were sent the survey, its purpose they were told was for British Waterways to learn about their experiences boating on its waterways, what they liked and what boaters think it needs to improve for the coming year.

Sally Ash

A number of boaters have sent up copies of emails concerning the survey, together with the replies they received from its originator, Head of Boating, Sally Ash.

These were sent to us in confidence of course, so we are unable to quote, but some of you rather baited Sally with narrowboatworld, that certainly had results, though not a lot of help in completing the survey.  It seems she took offence at Victor Swift's remark that it doesn't need 47 sections of a survey to tell you that, as though you don't know already. It wants money spent on maintenance and less thrown away on stupid 'investments'.

No bearing

The sheer number of sections was a puzzle to boaters, with many questions having no bearing on either what boaters liked or how it helps to improve matters for the coming year.

The survey comprised of a massive 47 sections, some of them, like the one illustrated, containing numerous sub sections, making its completion something of an effort, with boaters telling us they soon lost interest, and gave it up.

All included

We have learned that a number of people were involved with the creation of the questions, all having their own ideas, and it seems most of them were included!

Questions such as how much was spent in shops, eating, takeaways, souvenirs in the last year, how many people in your household, your income and even your age, were thought to have no bearing whatsoever on the stated purpose of the survey, unless, as one boater suggested, it was to subsequently sell as a mailing list.

Would you join CART

There is the rather curious question asking if you would join CART as a subscriber—yet its trustees have stated that they don't want a membership.

From the comments received by narrowboatworld, it would seem many boaters agree with Victor that the survey is indeed a red herring, with one boater believing it being little more that a ruse to get boaters interest away from the important matters of the moment.  From the emails, it seems they have little faith in its result.