Fallen trees crush boat

THE recent high winds pulled over a couple of huge trees across the bow of this boat on the Kennet at Thatcham, writes Justin Sheldon.

Think it was a Dawncraft and was a live aboard. Luckily the owner was on the boat at the time of the incident but wasn’t in the front cabin area.

Total loss

From talking to his neighbour, who was moored in the spot a few days earlier, but managed to move forward to a piled mooring spot. Said that the owner got out relatively unhurt. The boat is a total loss and he wasn’t sure if he was insured or not, but was looking at its replacement last week. The front cabin is destroyed with all glass gone.

The tree has been cut back to how you see it as it took the power lines down over the top of the boat, so the electricity board cut it back to allow reconnection.

These trees were so tall and looking at the root base, there were no roots under it , just a few heading outwards. The bottom of the tree was basically hard gravel, probably from when the canal was constructed many years ago.

Lost their home

Its a shame that someone has lost their home, but glad he survived what could have been fatal. Also that he has seen fit to sort its replacement to make a home again.

I know we have had some huge weather issues recently but just make people aware that mooring under trees can be riskier than using them for shelter.

[Very good advice indeed—Editor.]