Precarious position of businesses

I FEEL that the time is right for me to drag out my soap-box and give vent to my anguish over a couple of items that appeared in Monday's narrowboatworld, writes Orph Mable.

Both items reflect the precarious position that many canal orientated businesses find themselves in.

Grave concern

The report that the EU is set to impose regulations on industrial, domestic and marine diesel engines that will be in accordance with those already (or about to be) enforced on road vehicle engines, is of grave concern. The relatively small market for marine diesels in this country is already suffering with excessively high prices for new engines through limited choice of suppliers and availability of engine types reducing competition.

I can only agree with the article in that it will become prohibitive for engine manufactures to adapt engines to meet the marine requirements (lower average engine speed for long periods compared with the much wider engine speed range of road vehicles) and will withdraw from the market. Reportedly, this was the reason for the disappearance of the excellent range of ISUZU engines a few years ago.

Gone bump

I am also dismayed that yet another canal orientated business has 'gone bump' (Nottingham Boat Sales goes bust—narrowboatworld Monday 28th September) leaving customers severely out of pocket. Whilst by far the majority of brokerage businesses are on a sound financial footing, this reported collapse will no doubt have a knock-on effect on them with customers becoming even more wary of investing, what is in many cases, life savings, to purchase a boat.

I must admit that I am finding it very difficult to remain enthusiastic about canals and everything associated, as I can find little to inspire confidence in the waterways future. At every turn, legislation and lack of funding is reducing the viability of the canals and associated businesses in this country.