Checks for the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS)

The Boat Safety Scheme, or BSS, is a public safety initiative owned by the Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency.  Its purpose is to help minimise the risk of boat fires, explosions, or pollution on the inland waterways. It's your boat's MOT and needs renewal every four years.
It is separate from the winterising process; from the normal checks for corrosion, rot and flaking paint; from regular engine maintenance and from regular cleaning of the water supply.

In preparation for Patience's BSS examination we compiled a list of checks we would make beforehand. The list of items on the certificate is lengthy and the list on their website is lengthy and comprehensive but I thought this ten point summary, though specific to our narrow boat, might be helpful.

• LPG Gas. Possibly the most important. This can be checked frequently using an installed bubble tester which is more effective than a gas detector. Check condition of gas lines from gas container (which should be protected and sit firmly in the gas locker, which should in turn be secure and drained) to final appliance. Check shut off valve. More here.
  
• Fire Extinguishers. Three in number, in good condition, accessible and near fire risk points. Plus a fire blanket.
  
• Appliances. Refrigerator, cooker and hob, solid fuel stove. In good working order with appropriate flues and ventilation.
  
• Vents. Clear. Including low level vents in doors and high level roof "mushrooms".
  
• Fuel. Filling points, lines and connections must be secure with no leaks. Feel under each line for corrosion. Any extra fuel should be in secured jerrycans.
  
• Engine and gearbox. Check for leaks. Replace bilge mat. Mop up leaks and ensure none escapes to the water outside.
  
• Solid fuel stove. Flue and firebox in good condition (no leaks from above, no gaps in seals). Area clear of inflammable materials. 
  
• Electrical systems. Batteries stored securely and cables in good condition. Fuses and circuit breakers functioning. Outlets in good condition.
  
• Emergency escape. Ensure access to exits is uncluttered and that owners have agreed an action plan.
  
• Detectors. We also checked our carbon monoxide, gas and smoke detectors.

And after that how did we do? Well, we passed successfully, but we will, of course, continue to take care, and put safety above all things. A four-year safety check helps to remind you of the importance of the maintenance of safety at all times.

The spring pump out

Spring has arrived at last. So on the first really warm day for ages, and being the first of May, what better than to get aboard Patience and take her out for a brisk pump out.
Last season, best forgotten for the weather, left us without time for pumping out as part of our routine winterising - so today we arranged for one by the nice chap at Nene Valley Boats. I think actually he was a bit disappointed that we couldn't produce more - but with last year's holidays cut short and a general tendency by us to use local pubs' loos whenever we are customers, I suppose we just couldn't fill the tank.
So here we are, just one lock and a quarter hour from our mooring at Oundle marina, (where they are planning to have pump out facilities as part of their development) and we are using Nene Valley Boats' portable pumpout, towed by a fine red landrover.

 

and finally, for those who are curious engineers, here's the very pump itself.

Later, inspired perhaps by the nice man at Nene Valley Boats, John spent some time reassembling our toilet pump. As it once cracked in a deep frozen winter we now drain it thoroughly, but this time it took a little while to get the gasket in place to ensure effective pumping. Nevertheless, job done and a full complement of fresh water on board we are now ready to go places.
There may be time for some painting up, but the river awaits ....

Victorian pleasure cruising for the rich and famous!

During a recent holiday in Cornwall I revisited the excellent National Maritime Museum in Falmouth and came across this beautiful Thames steam launch 'Waterlily', designed and built by John Thornycroft in 1866.  She has a riveted wrought iron hull and is still in working condition.  She is 42 feet long (3 feet shorter than Patience), with a 7 ft 6 in beam (about 8 in broader than Patience), has a forward saloon, an aft cabin and a vertical boiler and steam engine amidships.  They knew how to design stylish boats in the 19th century, but I have to say that the similarly sized Patience offers much more in the way of covered accommodation, if not quite so much polished teak!

At the other end of the luxury scale, the museum also has the original prototype Mirror dinghy (sail no.1).  This could be bought as a kit in 1963 for less than £64.  I sold my Mirror (sail no. 18929) in 2011 for a little more than that, see earlier blog entry.

Twenty Pence Marina

A pleasant day, warmest for several months, so following the interest shown in my previous entry on Twenty Pence I took in the Marina on The Old West river  near Wilburton on the way to work.  Having seen it often from the river this was the first time I'd approached from the road.

 

At first glance it was unimpressive, with that run-down, bird-dropping and mouldy-caravan feel. The "reception" was closed (not unreasonable for March) but with faded notices in the window and nothing welcoming.  So much so that I went back to the road rather than force my way through the locked gate.

Here I found that where the Twenty Pence Inn had stood was now posh "executive style" houses.

 On the other side of the bridge sat the attractive cottage we'd passed in Patience so often.

 Then squeezing through another locked gate, marked Public Path, I made my way into the marina itself, where a lady in floral wellies was scrubbing the roof of her cruiser. She seemed happy with the marina, announcing it to be simple and quiet with no facilities. I agree. She'd heard the "rumour" that it had been sold but knew no more and I think didn't believe it.

 

 I can only refer her to the auction page of Allsop's Auctioneers where the site appears to have sold for a princely £210k.
So is it just a rumour? Does the owner want to keep the sale quiet or does he just want to keep the marina quiet (no fancy website for this marina ...). Will there be a fuss as there has been at the Fish and Duck? Or will it be a quiet and positive change as at Stretham Ferry Marina?
I don't know, but if I made out the faded poster on the reception window correctly, you could email Alan G Humphreys and ask him yourself. It is - and could continue to be - a really nice peaceful place.

Giving Patience an Airing

After the second wettest year on record and several weeks of snow and biting cold, just as I'm about to head off to my regular work, John phones up, points out it's the sunniest day of the year so far and how about coming out to tend to Patience.
And so in comparative warmth, while I dry out the gas lockers and the bilges, frighten away the spiders and open the windows for a breath of fresh air, John dons his scruffiest trousers (ladies look away now!) and jumps into the water tank with a brush and a can of bitumen paint. This is the annual water tank cleansing, to attend to the rust and make it fit for use for the coming year.

Thinking of doing it yourself? 

• Don't do it alone; it's not easy to get in or out however nimble you may be. 
• If in doubt have a partner in attendance or at the very least take a mobile phone. 
• Use a mask when wire brushing the rust. 
• Wear gloves and old clothes while painting. 
• Finish the floor by taping a brush to a pole and poking around from outside.
• Come up regularly and frequently for gulps of air as a break from the paint fumes. 
• Leave time for the paint to dry with the hatch open. 
• Leave for a few weeks if possible before filling with water. 
• Throw the brush away - it's not worth trying to clean it.
• Go to the pub while it dries - you deserve it!

... and make sure the hatch doesn't blow shut!

Waterways World

We happily subscribe to Waterways World and love the Pull-Out Guides for the regions. This month (February 2013) we have more interest than usual because there are two articles on our boating area: one describes the "Cruise of a Lifetime" - 344 miles from Llangollen to the Little Ouse - and a guide to the Middle Levels.
The long cruise starts in Wales and makes its way across England to the river Nene (where we are now) describing the experience as "drifting timelessly through rural middle England, past quaint stone-built villages and historic watermills". Oundle (our mooring) is "the icing on the sumptuous Nene cake". So we look forward to the boating season with additional rose tinted glasses - but actually, it's true!
The Middle Levels are said to be: "remote adventurous cruising" and more than just a transit route between the Ouse and the Nene. Indeed this is what we found. It also describes the problems of weed clogging the prop, which we experienced in 2012, to our great frustration.
See our earlier blogs for example here for the Nene and here for the Middle Levels as we saw them.
Oh, and one other reason for enjoying the article on the  west to east trip across England - it ends with a lovely pic of Patience in front of Kings College Chapel, taken by David Coppendale when we navigated the Cam in 2011.
So here's another glimpse of that trip along The Backs of the colleges in Cambridge. One of the blog entries for that trip is here. We recommend the eastern region, Nene, Middle and Great Ouse!

Truly Awash

Boating in 2012 was a trial, with drought up to March and flood thereafter. There are too many blog entries here called "Awash" and "Nene Floods" for my liking!
There's an excellent page from the BBC here showing the rainfall stats and musing on the climate. 
They do rather better than the Met Office to put across complex data for public consumption.
A nostalgic look back on our floods in the eastern region takes me to
May 1st
May 9th
not forgetting the Royal Pageant (very wet in the afternoon)
June 30th
July 13th
November 22nd and pretty well every entry in November!
 Actually it looks as if we did nothing but moan about rain all year!
Here's to a brighter 2013.