NEWS

 

  

BROADS AUTHORITY

NOTICE TO MARINERS No: 04 of 2010
 
Restriction to Navigation and Closure of River Wensum during the Period 12 to 22 April 2010

As a result of commercial trenching works by Britvic between the Trowse Bridge and the Carrow Bridge in Norwich, vessel movement on the River Wensum will be restricted during the following periods (all times local):

12-16 April 0800 to 1900 hours, and 19 April 0800 to 1200, cable trench excavation will occur on the banks and across the river. A buoyed barrier will be used when work is underway that is considered hazardous. Transit past the works should not be attempted without the permission of marshalling personnel. Delays up to half an hour can be expected.

19 April - OPEN
0800 to 1200-but see above
1700 to 1800hours (with Ranger escort)
CLOSED
1200 to 1700hours
1800 to 1900hours
20 April - OPEN (with Ranger escort)
0900 to 1000 hours
1700 to 1800 hours
CLOSED
0800 to 0900hours
1000 to 1700hours
1800 to 1900 hours
21 April - OPEN (with Ranger escort)
0900 to 1000 hours
1700 to 1800 hours
CLOSED
0800 to 0900hours
1000 to 1700hours
1800 to 1900 hours
22 April - OPEN (with Ranger escort)
0900 to 1000 hours
1200 hours onward for normal operation.
CLOSED
0800 to 0900 hours
1000 to 1200 hours

Note that the river will be open outside 0800 to 1900 hours. Masters of vessels are urged to pay particular attention to navigation marking in the area and to any supplementary instruction issued by Navigation Rangers.
 
Mike Rimmer
Waterways Strategy Officer
Broads Authority
Dragonfly House
2 Gilders Way
Norwich, NR3 1UB 

12 February 2010


 

  

BROADS AUTHORITY

NOTICE TO MARINERS No.1 of 2010

Closure and restrictions at  Reedham and Somerleyton Swing Bridges

Notice is hereby given that due to the next phase of a four year works programme being carried out by Network Rail Reedham and Somerleyton Bridges will be closed or restricted over the following period:

                        00:40 Saturday 13 February to
                        04:00 Monday 22 February 2010

Somerleyton Swing Bridge will be closed and not able to swing during this period.

Reedham Swing Bridge will only be able to swing between 10:00 -10:30 and 15:00-15:30 during this period.

Vessels normally able to navigate through the bridges in the closed position will still be able to pass through but delays of up to 1 hour may be encountered.

Please ensure you navigate with care and caution in the area, observing any relevant signs or directions.
 

 

  

 

Broads Authority Bill becomes an Act

Safety controls on the Broads designed to help the boating public will be introduced next Spring following the passing of the Broads Authority’s Bill. On Thursday 2nd July it received its Royal Assent when the Queen signed the List of Bills and it became an Act when it was announced in both Houses of Parliament.

Key provisions in the Bill include:
• A licensing scheme for boats hired to the public
• A requirement for boats to have 3rd Party Insurance
• The ability to keep the Boat Safety Scheme (MoT equivalent for boats) in line with the national scheme
• Powers to manage water skiing more effectively on the Broads.

The Private Bill promoted by the Broads Authority proved to be the only way to bring about a comprehensive update to the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act which set up the Broads Authority 20 years ago.
In July 2003 a hire boat with ten people onboard capsized and inverted without warning at Horning Hall, with one woman losing her life. The subsequent report by the DTI’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch recommended “the introduction of licensing regimes by inspection of hire craft by competent bodies”.
The Broads Authority has been working closely with the British Marine Federation, the Broads Hire Boat Federation, the Day Boat Association and hire boat operators to agree a set of licensing conditions for implementation in April 2010.  It will include testing boats for their stability, attaching plates indicating the maximum number of persons to be carried, comprehensive handover procedures for customers and the requirement to have lifejackets on board.

The new Act requires compulsory third party insurance for most boats using the Broads (small unpowered vessels are exempt) from April 2010 and the Navigation Committee has recommended that this should be for a minimum of £2 million. The costs of this insurance are affordable and many owners will already have it. A simple process will be put in place so that compliance can be demonstrated. Confirmation of the level of insurance required will be made by the Broads Authority in September.
The Boat Safety Scheme, a four yearly boat MOT designed to reduce the risk of fire and explosion, which was fully introduced in April this year, and the Act will allow the arrangements in the Broads to be kept in line with the national scheme.

The Act will improve the arrangements for managing water skiing. The Broads Authority has worked closely with the local club, Eastern Rivers Ski Club, and the national organisation British Water Ski to put in place a voluntary system which requires water skiers to have insurance and a Ski Boat Driver qualification. I t will also allow the number of licences to be controlled.
In many parts of Europe a licence for water skiing is mandatory but not in the UK.  British Water Ski offer three tiers of award as proof of boat handling skills - the Ski Boat Driver Award (SBDA), the Club Driver Award and the Commercial Driver Assessment (CDA).  The SBDA is now recognised as the benchmark standard of driving skills at clubs throughout the UK and is supported by a network of over 100 test centres. The Act will make the requirement of an SBDA and other permit conditions compulsory.
Julian Barnwell, Chairman, Eastern Region- British Water Ski, who has worked for many years to ensure that water skiing continues safely on the Broads, welcomed “with relief” the passing of the Broads Authority Bill.

 He said: “It cements the voluntary agreement which has existed for the past three years and we look forward to working very closely with the Broads Authority in the future.
“We have been leading the way on safety and there has been a great relationship between us and the Broads Authority.  We are delighted that the changes are now law so we can ensure that water skiing continues in a safe and responsible manner on the Broads.”

Stephen Johnson, Chairman of the Broads Authority said: “I am absolutely delighted that this important updating of our legislation has finally become law.
The support of Ministers in both Houses of Parliament, our local MPs and peers and the national boating organisations has been tremendous. Now we will get on with implementing the provisions with the aim of making the Broads an even safer place to enjoy.”

Mark Wells, Chairman of the Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association said: “The Broads Bill is now fact; its progress has been tortuous and sometimes fraught, with even simple procedural matters slowing things down at the end. However, there are aspects of what is now an Act which boaters can welcome - safety, the ability to control or curtail more extreme forms of water sport such as wake boarding, and requirement to consult the Navigation Committee on any new policy which could have a significant impact on the use of the navigation.”
“On a number of issues of benefit to navigators we look forward to co-operating with the Authority, while as the body representing private boat owners and toll payers on the Broads, NSBA also will be carefully monitoring just how the BA applies the new legislation,” said NSBA Chairman Mark Wells.

“We’ll be particularly watchful of the extension of Broads Authority safety controls over boating activities on adjacent waters. We are pleased with the strengthening of regulations allowing the Authority to clear obstructive vegetation from riverbanks to permit free passage. We’ll be keeping a close watch on changes to tolls and how the navigation income is spent.
“We look forward to a more positive and productive period of improving the facilities for all users of the broads, especially boaters.”

For More Details please visit http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/news/press-releases.html

 

Normal for Norfolk!

As the tail end of what could have been a troublesome season draws near, the Earth is still turning, the phone is still ringing and boats are still selling!

In fact NYA has seen a marked increase in sales of both new and used boats this season.

These are undoubtedly hard times for some industries (indeed the marine industry has suffered it’s share of casualties) however buoyant trading has been the norm at NYA thus far.

In a way it’s not surprising at a time when savings earn little in the bank and the cost of borrowing is at an all time low. Throw into the equation the current, soon to expire VAT concession of 15% and the level of sales becomes even more understandable. More than one client this season has said ‘Why keep it in the bank?’

The year began well with a good turn out for the London and Birmingham boat shows with orders directly resulting.

Our Owner’s Club reception at the Riverfest in Brundall was again well attended. The Champagne and Pimms flowed well into the afternoon. It clearly did the trick yet again; the sale of our display 350 ensued on the day to a member of the Owners Club keen to upgrade. Beware, we’re looking for the hat trick next year!

The recent Southampton Boat Show has to be the high point of the year. Our new twin engined 35 Offshore was bathed in glorious sunshine throughout the show. The boat looked simply stunning. Its dark blue hull, rich oak and sumptuous hide interior were sure to appeal. And they did! Two orders were taken during the show with promises of more to follow. The 35 Offshore is a serious sea boat aimed squarely to compete with the likes of Nimbus and Aquador in the offshore market. Motor Boats Monthly has again taken interest…. Watch this space.

NYA have supplied a total of nineteen Haines so far this season, to a variety of locations through out the UK and Europe. Like Haines our service knows no boundaries.

The demand for new and used boats especially Haines shows no sign of easing up even with winter approaching. If you’re contemplating a change now may be the time to break cover! The year may have been unusual in all manor of ways, but to coin a local phrase, it’s certainly been……. Normal for Norfolk!

Chris Cooper

Norfolk Yacht Agency