Updates - August 2014 (2)

Narrowboat on the Trent
 
Page 38  Aegre Timetable.  The annual timetable for the aegre (tidal bore) on the River Trent is not now available on the public-access website www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Richlow raised this problem with the EA, and asked that the information be, once again, available via their public-access website. And that the search terms be expanded to include eg Trent tidal bore, etc, instead of expecting the public to know yet another spelling of the name of this event.
 
EA replied that they no longer display the information because it is not the navigation authority for the Trent, and, therefore, will not be doing so in the future.
 
However, the same aegre timetable, same data, same format, is available on www.owston-ferry.co.uk   It's the first item on the drop-down menu under the Local Information tab.
 
We have also found that the timetable can still be obtained by telephoning EA on 08708 506506 or via enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk  You will need to ask them to search their in-house system for "aegir" (the spelling the EA uses).  They will then email, or post, the timetable to you.  It's not clear how long this facility will remain.
 

Updates - May 2013 (2)

Narrowboat on the Trent
 
Pages 13, 38.  VHF Radio
 
Experience last week has shown that mobile-phone network access on the tidal Trent is still patchy, and the situation differs with various network providers.  Therefore, we still recommend that communicating by VHF radio remains the safest option for boat crews, and it is worthwhile gaining the required training and qualifications to do so (page 38).  Most people enjoy the challenge and feel more in control on the tidal Trent when they can hear, and communicate with, lock-keepers and other vessels in the vicinity.
 
Page 20. Cranfleet to Beeston
 
Delete the words "...are limited visitor moorings on the floating pontoon and..."  CRT has now placed "no mooring" signs on the pontoon.
 
Page 21.  Gunthorpe
 
To gain access to the "deluxe sanitary station with palatial showers" a door-opening code has to be obtained from the lock-keeper.
 

Updates - July 2012 (2)

 
Narrowboat on the Trent
 
Maps on Page 30, and Back Cover - High Marnham Power Station
 
Boaters on the tidal Trent gain confidence with the sight of prominent landmarks confirming their position.  One such landmark was removed at the weekend with the demolition of the towers at High Marnham Power Station.
 
Therefore, references to the Power Station should be removed from the maps on the pages shown above.
 
The charts produced by The Boating Association should also be amended.  On the old-style it is Chart 2.  On the new-style photographic it is on Page 4.

And to prove it...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-18847674

Updates - February 2012 (2)

Narrowboat on the Trent
 
Page 36  Keadby Lock Size.  Length Restriction.  About 60ft is the normal length restriction on boats using Keadby Lock.  The chamber is 67ft according to the lock-keeper, but other considerations are the wide walk-overs within the chamber on the river-end gates, which tillers can rise up under.  Longer craft can only pass through when the tide in the Trent makes a level with the canal and all gates can be opened, by prior arrangement with the lock-keeper.  This means waiting outside on the tideway for appropriate conditions, and is not recommended.  Note, that such craft will only be able to proceed as far as the similar-sized Thorne Lock.
 
The chamber of Keadby Lock is wide enough to accommodate three narrowboats abreast.

Narrowboats, having come in from the Trent. The centre one is 60ft long, plus fenders. On the right is Richlow's flagship Madeley Wood, with John Lower on the roof. Note, he is wearing a life-jacket.

Narrowboat on the Trent  www.richlow.co.uk  Post Free
 
 

Updates - September 2011 (2nd post)

 
Narrowboat on the Trent
 

Page 13. Trent Charts  -  For many years the TBA has published Trent charts as easy to follow, clear line- drawings, and I (John Lower) have always recommended them as a “must have”. However, their latest update (version 10 published in 2011) is an entirely new format based on aerial photography and, in my view, the pages are cluttered and difficult to follow, and therefore look very off-putting.  On balance, I would say boaters do need a copy, but better still, try to obtain a copy of an old edition. See p37 for where to purchase the current version).

 
New format

 
Preferred
old format








North Yorkshire Waterways
 
Page 7. Locks - Maximum Craft Sizes.  Experience shows that narrowboats 60ft long can pass through all the locks in this guide (sometimes diagonally). 
Also wide-beam (14ft) craft up to 57ft, but bear in mind the following - River Derwent, Sutton Lock - 58ft x 14ft but obstructed by a ladder near bottom end, so width at that point is about 12ft 6ins. Guillotine-gate air draught approx 10ft 6ins.
Licences. A BW Rivers Licence covers the Ouse and Ure from Goole to Ripon. With a Rivers Licence boaters can transfer between the Trent and Ouse, via the canals, provided the transit takes no longer than 72 hours.
 
Page 9. Holiday Boat and Narrowboat Hire.  Add, Shire Cruisers (Sowerby Br)   01422 832712.
 
Page 10.  River Derwent Distance Table  -  Sutton Lock added.  From Barmby Barrage 15.5 miles.  From Cottingwith Junction 4 miles.  From Stamford Bridge 10.5 miles.
 
Page 12. Nav Notes.  Head of Navigation Plaque. Ripon Canal Basin, Wharf Services Ripon, 01765 609777  £9.95 in 2011.
 
Page 16. Nav Notes. 
 

The River Nidd joins the navigation from the south at Nun Monkton. There are moorings here, but they are bows into the bank in front of the Alice Hawthorn pub sign (see picture).


Linton Lock - the bottom paddle gear is NOT hydraulic, although signed by Adams Hydraulics Ltd. It can be heavy to work, and needs many turns to operate.

General Text - Linton Lock cottage. This is a licensed cafe with tables outside in good weather.

 
 
 
 
Page 26.  Nav notes.  Cawood Swing Bridge - take care - motor cruisers may be milling about waiting for a delayed bridge-swing to open (not necessary for narrowboats).
 
Page 28. Nav notes. The river passes under two swing-bridges which open for large craft. Take care - be aware, cruisers may be milling about, waiting for a delayed bridge-swing to open (not necessary for narrowboats). Boaters should take the eastern span, but beware of the strong flows from the east.
Commercial barges coming up from the Humber are rare at Selby but they still do so. It is important to note that they are required to pass stern-first, facing the current, through the Selby swing-bridges. If following one, be warned, it will take up the whole of the river when turning to do so. Consider turning also, to stem the tide, until the barge is once again underway.

Page 38. Nav notes. Particularly in the summer, weed is a general problem if the weed-cutter boat has not been operated. The weed is less between Gardham Lock and Melbourne, as the trip-boat operates there. For the same reason, that stretch has landings at the swing-bridges. Both locks now have landings above and below.

Head of Navigation Plaque - from trip-boat crew, or Rose Cottage opposite the pub in Melbourne. £8.50.

Page 40.  Canal Head.  The PCAS information centre is open Sundays and Bank Holidays during the summer.

Page 42. Nav notes.  The only moorings on this section are 40ft on the east bank above Sutton Bridge for Elsan disposal (BW key) and water. If no water flows, turn on the stop-tap.
 
 

Updates - June 2011

 
Narrowboat on the Trent
 
Page 29.  Dunham Bridge Moorings - Notice of a restriction.  Many of our customers have dogs with them, and rivers such as the tidal Trent offer few opportunities to get them ashore.  Therefore, please note that BW has issued a warning that a problem has been identified with the access ramp connecting the pontoon moorings at Dunham Bridge to the shore.  The moorings remain in use, but the ramp to the shore is out use until the problem can be identified and solved.
 

Updates - May 2011

  
Narrowboat on the Trent

Page 31.  Keadby Lock, both pubs near the lock have closed.
  
Lincolnshire Waterways
  
Map 1.  The Bridge Inn at Saxilby is presently closed.
Maps 5 & 6.  The White Horse Inn at Dunston Fen - is reported to be re-opening June 2011.
Map 10.  The Witham Tavern at Boston is presently closed.
  
Chesterfield Canal Guide
  
Map 12.  The towpath has re-opened past Hollingwood Lock.