Gone downhill

I read with interest Rick's alarming experience with a speeding boat, and have to agree with him they are all too common nowadays compared with years ago, writes James Henry.

Over the years, particularly over the last seven or eight when builders were turning boats out—like Liverpool Boats—by the hundreds and some even importing crap boats from Poland, courtesy on the waterways has gone downhill, and speeding boats have increased.

No means exceptional

I am attaching a picture of one that passed me last week on the Oxford, and his bow wave and wash can be clearly seen, and no he had not speeded up, that was the speed he passed. Unluckily I did not get the boat's name. And this is by no means exceptional as I am sure others can testify.

Yet those 'pass at tickover' notices are stupid, for as Rick says it gives the impression that you slow down when you get to the boat, not before. I expect someone made some money out of them, and there are plenty of suckers about who know no better.

And as to the lack of dredging, you don't want me to get started on that!