CONCERNING the lock allegedly damaged by a boat, if the boat had not been allowed to strike the gate and lift it out of its cup, the quoin, collar and surrounding stonework would not have been damaged, writes Kevin McNiff.
I recently met with Richard Parry [Chief Executive] at an RN Rally in Aylesbury and asked the question about seeking costs from boaters' insurance companies—this in connection with the similar incident on the Buckby Flight Lock 8—and he said where blame could be proved, compensation would be sought.
Clueless
At Shardlow a few days ago, we met up with the crew of a GRP cruiser who clearly had no idea of what things meant. They had left Shardlow Marina and were asking what the sign at the junction of the Trent and Derwent meant. Which bit of a visual 'NO ENTRY' symbol did they not understand?
Having been propelled towards the Sawley Flood Lock (the river was in amber state) they turned round and made safe near the Clock Warehouse, on the water point! After talking with them about their intended route, it was clear they hadn't a clue as to where to go to turn into the Soar and we suggested that a trip up the Trent & Mersey would suffice for the week.
Just as well as the man spent a whole hour or more fiddling with the outboard trying to get it stared, then another 30 minutes attempting to go up Shardlow Lock. We passed them next morning moored half a mile up the cut. Perhaps we saved them from an unwanted trip down the Trent.
Caught out
Previously at Cossington Lock, we had witnessed two incidents of boaters being caught out by the cross current, again when the river was at amber, with one striking the concrete abutment, rolling some 10 degrees before recovering into the lock cut. When we explained the significance of the warning boards at each lock on the river, it was again clear they were not fully aware of them.
The Trust cannot be blamed for a lack of boating knowledge and basic skills which are so prevalent these days. Perhaps it is time that every boat should have a person on board who is certified to be competent. A 15 tons narrowboat is lethal in the wrong hands as continuing reports bear witness to.