Not such a bad idea

LIKE Keith Gudgin, I too thought 'what a cheek' when I received the email from Waterscape [draining a pound to repair the CaRT trip boat] but after a few minutes thought I realised what a great idea it was, writes Pete Early.

To suggest that CaRT should take the boat to one of their yards is not taking into consideration where the nearest one could be. I don't know where that might be but the nearest dry docks I know of are either Shepley Bridge, if the boat is short enough to get there, or Portland Marina. The alternative would be to crane the boat out.

No movement

I don't know if Keith has been through Standedge but with the current transit arrangements there are days when any movement up or down the Marsden Flight is not possible. By draining the pound and repairing the boat on one of these days CaRT is showing great initiative and saving money.

There have been examples of BW/CRT staff temporarily draining pounds to repair boats, usually displaced rudders, and there are many lock flights where, during the winter, Keith could do something similar but Sods Law would say that the minute he started work the one other boat of the season would arrive.