THE Canal & River Trust (CaRT) report into the hanging-up incident of historic narrowboat Flamingo (Only one witness statement) suggests that a review of of Volunteer Lock Keeper (VLK) training was undertaken.
But it was found that lack of training was not a contributory factor, However, the Trust now say that no report or other documentation regarding this review exists!
Not trained
The incident report submitted to CaRT makes it abundantly clear that the VLK on duty was not properly trained to deal with the emergency. Firstly, the VLK did not appear to be monitoring that the boat was floating freely, contrary to the method statement he should have been trained to. Secondly he failed twice to act when told the boat was hanging-up and a paddle should be dropped. Indeed he thought the situation would sort itself out without intervention.
CaRT's report into the incident attempts to gloss over this by saying there are different versions of the incident and suggesting that all volunteers are properly trained. Specifically, CaRT's report into the incident states ‘Following a review of the recruitment and training route for volunteer lock keepers, it is deemed suitable and sufficient and has not been attributed to cause any part of this incident'.
Thought process
In early December, narrowboatworld queried why a report of this training review had not been made available: ‘Why is this report being withheld if it provides some comfort that VLK's are properly trained to deal with emergencies?'
The request to CaRT for any recorded information related to this review received a reply from its legal department. Julie Smith, Principal Solicitor, stated there is ‘no written document that constitutes the review' and that reference to it ‘in the final incident report is describing a thought process undertaken by the author'.
The report's author, who tried to pass off a thought process as a review, was Gary Smith, Health and Safety Advisor.
Cover up
So where does that leave us? It is fairly obvious from documents previously supplied that VLK's are not specifically trained to deal with lock emergencies and that their competency to do so is not tested. On top of that, there appears to be a very deliberate attempt by CaRT not to accept and remedy VLK training deficiencies but rather to cover them up.
Perhaps time for a New Year resolution from CaRT!