I MUST agree with Bill Ridgeway and his description of all those new rules that hire companies will have to abide by, writes James Henry.
Having all those signs plastered all over everywhere and 'crew spaces' (whatever that means) is as he says 'nothing but an academic exercise with little or no practical outcome. Once a boat has left its mooring there is no-one to remind or enforce the rules'.
One sex parties
In the past it was stated that there was to be no more hiring to one sex parties, but during the season I have encountered no few all male parties, obviously out on a boose cruise, and often having little control over their craft, and narrowboatworld has reported accidents by such, though 'accidents' is the wrong word for it is no accident getting drunk and not being in control.
Gone by the board
I also remember it being announced that the police had the powers to arrest anyone 'under the influence', but that too seems to have gone by the board as I have not seen a single report of anyone being arrested, though I have seen some who should.
Denoting 'crew spaces' is absolutely silly, for once the hire boat has left the base, the crew are not going to stand in 'crew spaces' but are going to go where they want, usually hanging on the side of the boat or on the roof. So if this is an attempt to have them all stand by the tiller, it's doomed to failure.
It really is daft expecting a person to stand where told like little children, it really must have been dreamt up by some idiot who hasn't a clue.