| Subject: |
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Re: Re: Weir collapse on Kennet and Avon |
| Name: |
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Howard Anguish |
| Date Posted: |
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Dec 17, 06 - 3:54 PM |
| Email (optional): |
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Howardang@aol.com |
| Boat Name: |
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Rufford |
| Message: |
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In reply to Alan (Hawksmoor's comments):
Firstly, although there might be a need to plan for the worst case, it is still a little early to get too concerned. BW will undoubdtedly be looking at all their options bearing in mind the unusual aspects of this breach in that the wier is owned by the riparian owner (the singer Kate Bush) and not them! It is possible that they may either repair it in time for the start of the season or more likely, follow recent precedents and set up a craning/trucking operation around the stoppage until repairs are carried out. I suspect that there will be a lot of pressure from K&A boaters for them to solve the problem quickly.
In the event, however, that the stoppage continues into the next season and that some Ownerships boats need to relocate I see the following options:-
1) Defer the move for a year or at least until the stoppage is cleared.
2)If not provided by BW, arrange for craneage around the obstruction and then proceed up the Thames from Reading/Oxford canal etc. It may be that Ownerships could assist in making these arrangements. Ideally craneage and truck costs could be shared among all those boats who need the service, not just Ownerships boats.
3) Go via the tidal Avon, and the Severn to Sharpness.
As outlined by Allan the passage up the Severn can be challenging and the use of a pilot is recommended although not compulsory for narrow boats.
If this is the preferred option, my advice would be to employ the services of a Severn pilot and if possible try to share the costs with several boats who might wish to make the passage at the same time.
With all respect to Alan, pilots are employed for their local knowledge and although it is perfectly possible to make this passage given reasonable experience, the cost incurred in buying that local knowledge will make it well worth the money for the extra peace of mind.
A further point to bear in mind is that this transit is likely to be made in the early spring and there may be delays due to weather which might make the normal Ownership style handover a little tricky to organise mod way through the trip so a degree of flexibility would be required by those partaking.
HTH
Howard Anguish |
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