Speeding boats

YES, it is the owners responsibility to ensure his boat is moored as securely as possible, however that is a relative term, writes Maffi.

If the bank has no rings, bollards or piling then the boater has to rely on passing boaters to display a bit of common sense and obey the rules which as far as I recall do not say ‘relative to hull design, draft, depth and width of the canal'.

Go slow

No the rules simply say ‘Go Slow past moored boats' this is duplicated by signs at appropriate places. If people have trouble understanding that then maybe boating isn't for them.

Speed is not just about mooring. It's about loosing your balance when you are carrying a hot cuppa down the boat and getting scalded. Its about not spoiling other peoples day because you can't be assed to consider others. Its about relaxing.

Cracked his skull

A very high speed boat at Abingdon on the Thames a couple of years ago caused an moored elderly boater to fall inside his boat and crack his skull; blood everywhere. Excessive speed damages the banks and maims and kills wildlife, and destroys the ambience of the canals, and it damages people.

Might I suggest to those who want to speed everywhere that they could take a bus! Might I further suggest that they moor up in the middle of nowhere and enjoy the peace and quiet instead of near conurbations where British Waterways (CART) have been profligate with rings and bollards and piling.

Over-extend themselves

Too many boaters over-extend themselves when out boating. Taking no proper account of distance, locks, bridges, queues or possible hold-ups to the point where only a few days into their journey they can barely afford to stop and enjoy the country and what it has to offer lest they don't get back in time, and the last day or two has to be at excessive speed or be late for work on Monday.

It's not about how far/fast you go but how you spend the time while you are there. I know I can do Thrupp to Banbury in 10 hours without speeding, but I enjoy it much more when it takes me four days.

There is no excuse for not considering other boaters. I don't care how late you are.

[As previously stated Maffi is well known in the boating fraternity and known to us.]