Sean McGinley from British Waterways has responded to Momac re the poor reception at Hazleford

Thank you for your email. We have experienced poor signals from Hazelford Lock in the past but I agree it would seem to have got worse in the past few months. Although, as you say, part of the reason is likely to be line of sight I will ask our M&E team to investigate possible solutions and take action as appropriate. Thank you for taking the time to contact us and I trust this issue did not spoil your enjoyment of the waterways.

Exploding gas canister puts boaters in hospital
26th Jul 2010

Boat owners are again being advised to avoid using portable gas appliances with integral gas
canisters on board boats, following an explosion on the Norfolk Broads that sent two people to
hospital with burns to legs, hands and faces.
The explosion happened when the gas canister of a camping stove was being changed in the open
cockpit of a small sailing boat where candles and cigarettes were in use.
The Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) is urging boat owners to treat all such portable gas equipment
with great respect and change fuel canisters away from the boat and sources of ignition.
"A lesson to everyone"
BSS manager, Graham Watts added, "This incident is a lesson to everyone that even portable
gas equipment can cause an explosion big enough to send people to hospital. In the poorly
ventilated, tight confines of a boat escaping gas is more dangerous than when it happens ashore out
in the open.
"Be completely familiar with the correct and safe way of operating the appliance, from taking out of
its storage case to fitting new fuel canisters."
"Think about the alternatives"
He added, "Think about the alternatives, for example, if all you want is a hot drink onboard a
day boat, a flask is probably the simplest and safest way. If wanting light, some battery powered
or wind-up LED lights will last for ages and are far easier to use than gas lanterns.

"Where a simple cooker is needed aboard, think about installing a marine spirit stove as an
alternative to a portable gas stove."

Inland waterway regulations do not ban portable gas equipment on boats, but when not in
operation, any appliance with a canister fitted and all spare gas canisters, empty or full, must be
stowed in lockers that are self-draining, or on open deck areas where any leaking gas will flow
overboard. The risk of causing a pool of explosive vapour inside the boat must be avoided.

Safety points
The BSS advise people to follow these safety points to help keep boat crews safe:

-   Only use portable appliances onshore
-   Stow the canisters, used or unused and any appliance if it has a canister inserted, in a self-draining gas locker, or    on open deck where any escaping gas can flow overboard
-    Be familiar with the operating instructions before use
-    Before you start, check the condition of the appliance. If the gas canister seal looks damaged, or if the appliances or gas canister is extremely rusty and deteriorated, do not use it.
-    To avoid gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning check that all equipment has been correctly assembled before turning it on
-    Never attempt to fit a new canister to an appliance when aboard, wait until you are onshore
-    Before fitting a canister, put out all open flames and smoking materials
-    Ensure that you have the correct type of gas canister for your appliance and that it is being inserted in the right place and in the right way
-    If you smell or hear gas leaking before attempting to light an appliance, don’t use it
-    If any gas is leaking, ensure that it is being dispersed in free air well away from the boat or any sparks or other sources of ignition.

Flares    Out of date flares?    Call the M C A Humber on 01262 672317 for disposal of yours flares

Rachel Critchell (Black Sheep) baked a cake on behalf of the Boat Club to thank Paul and Janet Ainsworth for their continuing efforts to improve the Marina and for giving us permission to hold the 30th Annual Boat Club Rally in September. She decorated it with a fantastic hand painted aerial picture of the Marina. I am sure it is not widely known that Paul gives great support to the Club by offering visiting boats who come to the Rally free moorings from the Sunday before the Rally to the following Saturday so long as they pay the £10 registration fee for the event.  All of which contributes greatly to the Rally's continuing success.