Crinan Canal opening

[Quandary]

It looks as if the contractors are clearing up and that this year the canal will re-open as predicted on the 3rd April. It will nice to see the boats going past again.
Scottish Canals website for the Crinan no longer carries a list of private pilots but carries an instruction that boats with less than three on board should engage a private 'pilot' to assist them. Strange advice? I have transited probably more than 100 times in a variety of yachts assisted only by my wife without problem and without ever causing delay. Most of the pilots last year were lock keepers on their day off, I suspect Scottish Canals may be wary of being at risk if they give a recommendation.
This year I will be offering my services again, last year we managed to contribute £4,500 to Mary's Meals to provide a daily school meal for hungry kids in Malawi, a large proportion of that was raised from helping yachties on the canal, if you need my help ring 01546 603799.

 

[Minchsailor]

Quandary, could the suggestion of a minimum crew of 3 be a reflection on the capability of current skippers? I know from my own observations that skills seem to have been downgraded (disclaimer- I am now in my 6th decade of cruising). Could it be a way of Scottish Canals covering their backside should there be a mishap?. I know iny part of the world there was a collective sigh of relief when Isle of Skye Yachts closed their charter operations as some of their clients were (to put it politely) somewhat ham-fisted.

 

[steveeasy]

It looks as if the contractors are clearing up and that this year the canal will re-open as predicted on the 3rd April. It will nice to see the boats going past again.
Scottish Canals website for the Crinan no longer carries a list of private pilots but carries an instruction that boats with less than three on board should engage a private 'pilot' to assist them. Strange advice? I have transited probably more than 100 times in a variety of yachts assisted only by my wife without problem and without ever causing delay. Most of the pilots last year were lock keepers on their day off, I suspect Scottish Canals may be wary of being at risk if they give a recommendation.
This year I will be offering my services again, last year we managed to contribute £4,500 to Mary's Meals to provide a daily school meal for hungry kids in Malawi, a large proportion of that was raised from helping yachties on the canal, if you need my help ring 01546 603799.

I’ll. Be transiting the Crinan towards the end of April making my way to Ardfaran and will need assistance. Perhaps I’ll PM you to see if you could assist me if you are available.
Steveeasy

 

[Slowboat35]

Is that "should" or "must"?
There's a big differenece!

 

[alan_d]

Quandary, could the suggestion of a minimum crew of 3 be a reflection on the capability of current skippers? I know from my own observations that skills seem to have been downgraded (disclaimer- I am now in my 6th decade of cruising). Could it be a way of Scottish Canals covering their backside should there be a mishap?. I know iny part of the world there was a collective sigh of relief when Isle of Skye Yachts closed their charter operations as some of their clients were (to put it politely) somewhat ham-fisted.

Possibly one to helm, one to handle the warps on board and the third to handle warps ashore and to go ahead to prepare the next lock?

 

[Daydream believer]

I have been through the Cally canal twice SH (& made a better, faster job than some with lots of crew ). What is the issue with the Crinan that needs extra crew?

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I have been through the Cally canal twice SH (& made a better, faster job than some with lots of crew ). What is the issue with the Crinan that needs extra crew?

The Crinan canal is DIY, you need to stop your boat, climb up lock sides, secure lines operate sluices, adjust lines. I guess it could be done but there is a lot of water flow through the lock when entering or leaving, hence keeping the yacht stable when climbing ladders may not be easy, or possible. Having transited the Crinan canal twice single handled (and many times with crew) with a single pilot managing gates and receiving lines, with me remaining on the boat, the transit time was very fast. Single handed in the Crinan with no pilots, would be very slow and if I recall correctly, is not allowed (may be wrong on that but I am sure I read it in their instructions).

 

[RunAgroundHard]

... could the suggestion of a minimum crew of 3 be a reflection on the capability of current skippers? ...

I dont think skippers are any less capable today than in the past, maybe boats are bigger. The canal operating time is restricted compared to the past, so it is very easy to get stuck in the canal over night. I would also suggest that the canal is more of a leisure trip today than in the past i.e. it is no longer an imperative to get through as fast as possible. Also, it should be noted noted that using locks after "close down" is prohibited as the canal operators adjust the water levels for the next day's use. See skippers guide.

USE OF LOCKS AFTER CLOSEDOWN
Do not use the canal locks after closedown. This is when water levels are adjusted for the following day and any unauthorised locking may cause flooding or water loss.

Pilots make the trip fast and efficient compared to DIY. See notes below: -

The web site definitely promotes the interest in the area around the canal as opposed to just a transit, reflecting the total change in use of the canal, in my opinion. From Scottish Canals web site The Crinan Canal | Scottish Canals

The Crinan Canal is due to reopen for the 2023 Operating Season on 4th April 2023.

It can take a full day or more to transit the Crinan Canal.

After 17:00 no boats may travel on the canal due to end-of-day water control and shut-down requirements. However, there are areas on the canal which are unsuitable for overnight stay or, suitable overnight locations may be full. Canal operatives may therefore restrict boats moving towards such areas earlier than 17:00 to prevent boats from overnighting in unsuitable locations.

Download the Skippers Guide to the Crinan Canal here Boating on the Crinan Canal | Scottish Canals

 

[RunAgroundHard]

... This year I will be offering my services again, last year we managed to contribute £4,500 to Mary's Meals to provide a daily school meal for hungry kids in Malawi, a large proportion of that was raised from helping yachties on the canal, if you need my help ring 01546 603799.

I have used Quandary's services as a pilot on the Crinan canal, excellent service, fast and hassle free.

 

[Peter Pilot]

Quandary, could the suggestion of a minimum crew of 3 be a reflection on the capability of current skippers? I know from my own observations that skills seem to have been downgraded (disclaimer- I am now in my 6th decade of cruising). Could it be a way of Scottish Canals covering their backside should there be a mishap?. I know iny part of the world there was a collective sigh of relief when Isle of Skye Yachts closed their charter operations as some of their clients were (to put it politely) somewhat ham-fisted.

My observations from last year is that more than 50% of the boats have crews that are not on the ball. Some crews from a particular country are so cavalier that they ran into the back of each other going into the locks, hit the lock gates and were a headache for other boats and the canal staff. But two crews from that same country were very capable. Plenty of skippers who couldn't exit a lock in a straight line......crazy.

 

[Peter Pilot]

The Crinan canal is DIY, you need to stop your boat, climb up lock sides, secure lines operate sluices, adjust lines. I guess it could be done but there is a lot of water flow through the lock when entering or leaving, hence keeping the yacht stable when climbing ladders may not be easy, or possible. Having transited the Crinan canal twice single handled (and many times with crew) with a single pilot managing gates and receiving lines, with me remaining on the boat, the transit time was very fast. Single handed in the Crinan with no pilots, would be very slow and if I recall correctly, is not allowed (may be wrong on that but I am sure I read it in their instructions).

There is no reason why a capable skipper can't go single handed but it is a lot of work and very tiring.

 

[penfold]

Latterly I've only been using the canal immediately prior to and after WHYW; it may just be luck but my lock companions were all capable of keeping the tempo up and aside from one with a dying battery declining to stop their engine while in the lock and gassing everyone it was all good.

 

[Peter Pilot]

To find an independent pilot who has been trained by Scottish Canals in lock operation and H&S (ie ex employee) and carries insurance go to www.crinanpilots.uk. or phone me direct on 07726-777288.
I carry a boat hook so it is easier for the on board crew to pass their lines.
Unlike the other pilots I jump on board across the top of the canal between locks 8 and 9. It gives an excellent opportunity for a good chat.

 

[Quandary]

I do not claim to be insured so the responsibility lies with the skipper. I only give advice and help, not instructions and I do not need to board your boat.
I would be very interested to learn what form the insurance 'pilots' claim to carry, what protection it offers and how it relates to the boat owners insurance. As for training I have never had any but I have managed many transits each year for 15 years without incident, during this time I have been living beside a lock, perhaps it is because I have been keeping my own yacht in the Canal for most of that period.
A word of caution if coming east, the new lock arrangement on lock 13 now has the sluice pumps well away from the chamber where you can not see the water flow, and with a much deeper lock the turbulence there can be considerable when filling, go easy to begin with on this one.

 

[Peter Pilot]

I do not claim to be insured so the responsibility lies with the skipper. I only give advice and help, not instructions and I do not need to board your boat.
I would be very interested to learn what form the insurance 'pilots' claim to carry, what protection it offers and how it relates to the boat owners insurance. As for training I have never had any but I have managed many transits each year for 15 years without incident, during this time I have been living beside a lock, perhaps it is because I have been keeping my own yacht in the Canal for most of that period.
A word of caution if coming east, the new lock arrangement on lock 13 now has the sluice pumps well away from the chamber where you can not see the water flow, and with a much deeper lock the turbulence there can be considerable when filling, go easy to begin with on this one.

Hi Joe

I'm sorry if you feel offended by my post, but I don't comment on the way anyone delivers their piloting service.

My personal opinion is that anyone offering services to the public, in a public place, should carry an appropriate public liability insurance. My piloting service is one of my businesses.

I only get on the boat across the top of the canal (if the skipper agrees) as it makes the experience more personal and I have a very wide range of conversation.

See you on the canal soon, Take care.

 

[Daydream believer]

My personal opinion is that anyone offering services to the public, in a public place, should carry an appropriate public liability insurance. My piloting service is one of my businesses.

I tend to agree with that. One might ask what happens if something does go wrong !!!
As soon as one starts giving advice and help, as an experienced person, the skipper of the yacht can suggest that he relied on that advice. Once given, one might genuinely expect it to have been considered & in most cases taken. That puts one in a situation of liability, regardless of the responsibilities of the skipper.

 

[penfold]

What terrible calamity can happen in a canal, at least one that might be blamed on a pilot? The safety of the vessel and the crew remains the responsibility of the master.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

In the distant past, when the Crinan canal was still considered as a commercial shortcut, rather than a tourist destination, older school children would take lines and operate lock gates for a fee. The concept of the canal as a DIY service took a turn for the worse a few years ago when "assisted passage" was strongly encouraged by Scottish Canals, if not even mandated (I can't remember correctly if was compulsory). There are a few threads on here from that period (2015 if I remember correctly) of the hassle that wrought. Later the insistence of assistance was dropped and there were claims of pushy pilots demanding priority over other users of the canal.

Personally, transiting the canal is an enjoyable experience and if you have a crew it is easy to do, just follow the advice in the guide. Take your time and plan to enjoy the scenery and facilities around the canal, don't rush through as you will miss a lovely part of Scotland that is steeped in ancient history and has an abundance of nature. Consider berthing up, hiring a bike and cycling through the Moine Mhòr, a large area of raised bog in the Kilmartin Glen. Visit Kilmartin and the new Museum, just refurbished and expanded and will re open soon. Kilmartin Museum

This is one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland and should be savoured, not rushed through.

 

[awol]

I find going through with a boat who has contracted a pilot is much the easiest way!

 

[scottie]

One of my childhood regrets was not being allowed to have a day off school when due to major engine damage my father engaged a man with a horse to tow the boat through the canal
I even said I would buy a