BOATS TO GO

Two news releases from the Boat Safety Scheme, both dealing with the single issue of petrol safety, but from two different angles.

ISSUE 1

Boaters whose boats have petrol engines need to take more care to avoid of the dangers of petrol vapour as the numbers of incidents on inland waters linked to petrol and petrol engines rose for the second year running from one in 2007 to nine in 2009.

‘We are asking that owners of petrol engined boats take a simple, planned approach to keep themselves safe and keep alert to any signs of a petrol leak in the fuel system before it develops into something threatening,’ said Graham Watts, the Boat Safety Scheme Manager

He added: ‘Appropriately constructed and well maintained petrol systems are safe, but boaters shouldn’t fall into the trap of applying the modern road vehicle experience of never lifting the bonnet; just turning the key and then setting off.

The BSS worried that too many boaters, especially recent entrants, may not realise that if petrol leaks, weeps or drips, it will vaporise and, like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the vapour will sink in still air and gather in the lower parts of the boat

With petrol engines often located close to spark generating equipment, it is not difficult to see how such a vapour/air mix could ignite easily. This combustion is both rapid and powerful and in the wrong circumstances, the skipper, crew and possibly bystanders can be in danger. More people are hurt in petrol vapour ignitions than any other cause of boat fires.

Here are some BSS tips for owners of petrol boats to stay safe from fire and explosion.

·         Plan ahead and well before the season starts, take a look around the boat, especially the whole petrol supply system from filling point to carburettor or fuel injectors. By sight, touch and smell, check for signs of damage, deterioration, looseness, cracks, weeping and leaks.

·         Before each use check fuel pipes, joints, hoses, fuel tank connections, and other fuel components that should have special attention as all are points for potential leaks.

·         Do it again whenever you fill the tank; the extra weight and pressure of the fuel may reveal leaks or weeps that may not be there with less fuel.

·         Outboard owners can open up the cowling and look for any otherwise hidden problems.

·         Crucially, before turning the battery isolator switch and turning the key, have a good sniff around, if there’s a strong smell of petrol, don’t attempt to start the engine.

In the past six years the BSS has recorded 34 incidents of fire or explosion linked to petrol engines on inland waterways and coastal boats. 31 people needed hospital treatment, including some in intensive care. Three petrol-engined boats exploded on family trips in May last year.

The BSS is a public safety project owned jointly by British Waterways and the Environment Agency. At least 12 other navigation and harbour authorities have also adopted it. The navigation authorities’ purposes for the Scheme are to help reduce the risks of fire, explosion and pollution on small craft. This is done by promoting fire safety and pollution avoidance advice to help boat owners keep themselves and their crews’ safe as well as regular examination of fuel systems, gas systems, electrical systems and appliances.

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has teamed up with both Navigators & General and River Canal Rescue to enable an insurance facility that it believes is unique to the market, with the added benefit that every policy taken out and subsequently renewed helps IWA, and so helps our charitable work for the waterways.

Our tailored inland waterway insurance policies cover loss and damage to your vessel, protect against legal claims, pay out for injury and damage caused to other property and provide the additional security of inclusive breakdown membership.

Key policy features

The policy incorporates many features that are unique including:

•  Membership to River Canal Rescue breakdown (which can be upgraded at additional cost) 

• Dedicated insurance cover for owners who permanently live aboard their boats (Additional cost) - Personal public liability 

• Marina benefits 

• Medical expenses cover 

• £3 million pounds third party cover

 “IWA currently arranges insurance for over 170 of IWA’s corporate members, including most waterways societies and trusts, many boat clubs, community boat groups, navigation authorities, educational, industrial archaeological, waterways leisure and heritage bodies, museums and a wide range of other non-profit making organisations.  This is something that IWA has done as a non-profit making service for over 35 years, and has helped save many thousands of pounds from waterways insurance bills.  IWA’s experience in insurance matters led us to believe that something advantageous could be put in place for private boat owners too.  We believe that our partnership with Navigators & General, a leading pleasure craft insurer, and with River Canal Rescue, the foremost boat breakdown organisation, makes this scheme a market-leading proposition, and one which provides additional financial benefit to IWA that will allow it to further its charitable work for the waterways.”

For more information please go to: http://www.waterways.org.uk/support_us/boat_insurance

Wherry Albion restored after 10 years

Ten years of restoration on the Norfolk Wherry Albion comes to an end this week (Friday February 19^th) as the 112 year old black sailed trader is returned to her former Edwardian glory.

Over the last ten winters major works costing £200,000 have been carried out while she continues to take charter trips around the Broads during the summer months.

Over the last three winters £125,000 has been spent on replacing a hogged keel, the entire bow section and the large timbers that support the tabernacle and keep her  50ft mast upright.

Skipper Paul Henry Gowman said: “She’s in the finest shape that she has ever been in since she was first built. Albion will be back on the water this spring, as spruce and as beautiful as ever, providing a unique venue to celebrate a birthday or anniversary.”

All the work has been carried out by master shipwright Maynard Watson and his team, helped by volunteers of the Norfolk Wherry Trust, the charity which saved and maintains her. The money was raised by Trust members and supporters.

Maynard said: ‘Nothing gives me more pleasure than helping such a grand old lady stay afloat and at the same time keeping our Norfolk history alive for future generations to enjoy’.

Albion, one of the largest, oldest and most impressive boats on the Broads, was built at Oulton Broad in 1898.  Measuring 60ft long, weighing 23 ton, and carrying 1,500sq ft of black sail,she was  originally sailed by a man and a boy delivering  coal and crops to Broads villages. She was rescued in 1949 by a group of enthusiasts who formed the Norfolk Wherry Trust and is now one of only two surviving examples of trading wherries today.

Her vast hold, which formerly held cargo, has been fitted out with a refectory table, cooker, bunks and toilet. She is listed with The Historic Ships Register, and in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk she is as iconic a craft as the Cutty Sark.

Roger Watts the Trust’s project co-ordinator said “We depend entirely on our volunteers and the public’s financial support to keep this majestic old lady afloat as probably the Broads’ best known icon. We are very grateful to everyone who has contributed to this major restoration.”

For more information: www.wherryalbion.com