chrisRoald

...Why can't we use such useful sites as this for exchanging info instead if insults? The big risk of just running the metaphorical red light on the commercial canal is damage insurance. No way would our marine insurance co. cough up if we were involved in a prang when we weren't authorised to be there! Why should Peel pay costs, which could run into £millions, when the fault may be with a party they knew nothing about. The required seaworthiness cert. mentioned earlier, checks that we have an anchor, signalling equipment and life support equipment aboard, and know how to use them. MSC Peel require us to have insurance cover of min £3 million. If we lose control in our small unauthorised craft, risk is that someone else pays...

Only a handfull of narrowboats/small vessels seem to be doing the Ellesmere Port to Weaver Navigation on the MSC this year! Admittedly the owning company, Peel Ports, make it hard work on the admin front, but after 3 days waiting and phoning (check by phone that your emailed application has been received and read - essential!) then waiting some more, we finally emerged onto the canal. Then took us just 1 3/4 hrs to get to Weston Marsh Lock, with just 2 larger vessels coming the other way on the Manchester. Cost was £75 for seaworthiness cert, and £32 for transit on canal. CRT were the most helpful party, quickly arranging the lock opening for us. Cheshire council slow to organise the necessary swing bridge - last obstacle on the Shroppie at Ellesmere Port. ...All worth the effort though - the River Weaver is beautiful and quiet and lots of mooring spaces. Now for the Anderton.