Steve Clayton
Well-Known Member
Just saw an article on BBC South - EA looking for 100 lockie volunteers (Thames) for the 2011 season. I assume "volunteer" means no pay.
EA want 100 volunteer support lockies
- Thread starter Steve Clayton
- Start date
captain tomas
Active Member
A bit late but just seen this post about volunteer lockies.
This means that these people are not employed by the E.A.
If an incident occures due to any mishandling of the lock and surrounds
who would be responsible?
It is not unusual to have boats and equiptment worth many thousands of pounds in the locks, what happens if any damage attributed to a volunteer occurs, and much worse if an injury, or a possible death should happen?
This whole situation is ill concieved and should be dropped.
Probably dreamed up by a desk bound jocky with little or no conception of conditions likely to need skilled well trained staff.
This means that these people are not employed by the E.A.
If an incident occures due to any mishandling of the lock and surrounds
who would be responsible?
It is not unusual to have boats and equiptment worth many thousands of pounds in the locks, what happens if any damage attributed to a volunteer occurs, and much worse if an injury, or a possible death should happen?
This whole situation is ill concieved and should be dropped.
Probably dreamed up by a desk bound jocky with little or no conception of conditions likely to need skilled well trained staff.
oldgit
Well-Known Member
"Probably dreamed up by a desk bound jocky with little or no conception of conditions likely to need skilled well trained staff."
We on the Medway appreciate your astute observation that all lock operatives are skilled and well trained.
Some skilled and well trained operatives,
A skilled and well trained lock operator in action demonstrating years of experience,not sure how lock functions without correct uniform being worn however ?
We on the Medway appreciate your astute observation that all lock operatives are skilled and well trained.
Some skilled and well trained operatives,
A skilled and well trained lock operator in action demonstrating years of experience,not sure how lock functions without correct uniform being worn however ?
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Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
Maybe the EA could supply the 100 posts to office staff ? I am sure they would love a day out on the river during the summer and it would give them hands on experience . Plus they are also covered and i assume trained by the EA so no extra costs involved .
Steve Clayton
Well-Known Member
Personally I would love to offer my services; anywhere twixt (say) Hambledon and Lechlade. 6 years up and down the Thames on our cruiser, know how a lock works, can spot locking turns on a bollard and sort it, gets on well and can chat with anyone; get them icecreams from the shop, offer to take their photo. qualified 1st aider and sea survival, can do risk assessments as required, tend the garden, etc, etc, etc. - but not for no reward whatsover!!
Seems to me that EA should be taking people from job centres for a bit of "work experience"
Seems to me that EA should be taking people from job centres for a bit of "work experience"
Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
"Probably dreamed up by a desk bound jocky with little or no conception of conditions likely to need skilled well trained staff."
We on the Medway appreciate your astute observation that all lock operatives are skilled and well trained.
Some skilled and well trained operatives,
A skilled and well trained lock operator in action demonstrating years of experience,not sure how lock functions without correct uniform being worn however ?
Hold on a second !
Why aint we got hot lock keepers
Steve Clayton
Well-Known Member
Hold on a second !
Why aint we got hot lock keepers
Why? Has the hottie at Caversham gone elsewhere?
Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
Last time i was up that way Marvin was the lock keeper 
captain tomas
Active Member
I notice a little jesting is creaping in.
Be aware and be concerned, this is serious business, not to be ignored,
this could well be the thin end of the wedge.
Be aware and be concerned, this is serious business, not to be ignored,
this could well be the thin end of the wedge.
boatone
Well-Known Member
The thin end of the wedge was inserted some considerable time ago and there has been a steady erosion of lock keeper services for some time now. This has become a war of attrition and is already well advanced.
Oldgit jokingly draws comparison with the Medway and canal system where no routine lock keeper services are provided as they are (or have been ) on the Thames. However, this is a meaningless comparison, given the vastly different nature of the waters and, particularly, the scale of the customer base.
The issue should not be whether there is an absolute NEED for lockies but whether we value and benefit from their services - the cost of which is significantly paid by OUR licence fees.
The non tidal thames should be a customer focussed operation and we, the boaters are by far their greatest source of revenue.
I have just posted the meat of a paper on this subject on my Meanderings website (link below) and will be submitting it to the EA shortly.
Ramage
Well-Known Member
I was interested to see that Oldgit pays £50 for his licence on the Mudway.
My Thames licence this year was over £500 (and I received it in late December, so it was on the window on 1st January....).
Value for money? Yes, at the moment. In the future? Not so sure.
My Thames licence this year was over £500 (and I received it in late December, so it was on the window on 1st January....).
Value for money? Yes, at the moment. In the future? Not so sure.
boatone
Well-Known Member
I think you will find that is some sort of Harbour Authority charge as Fred's boat is not on the EA Medway - he somehow manages to maintain 'Visitor' status
Ramage
Well-Known Member
Ducking and diving?
oldgit
Well-Known Member
"Ducking and diving"
My £50.00 quid is paid to Peel Ports. less of course a very useful 10% discount
http://www.medwayports.com/marine/index.htm
My £50.00 quid is paid to Peel Ports. less of course a very useful 10% discount
http://www.medwayports.com/marine/index.htm
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captain tomas
Active Member
Having read your meanderings I heartly agree with you. It would appear that if we are not getting a service which we have paid for perhaps we should ajust our contribution to the EA.
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
Bit of a catch 22 situation.
Registration fee doesn't entitle you to any facilities, so that couldn't cut any ice.
You could make your boat appear smaller.....
Or join the band of sensible boaters and make your concerns known here (or write to EA)
boatone
Well-Known Member
High time we stopped acknowledging this nonsense that what we pay doesn't actually entitle us to anything other than being registered to be 'on' the river.
Does anyone really think we pay several hundred pounds a year without believing we have a right to expect that at the very least the provisions of the Customer Charter will be, in general terms at least, a right of enjoyment?
At the moment its a bit like Mars keeping Mars Bars the same price but shaving a few grams off the weight. No increase in the licence fee this year - there's a very strange decision knowing that cuts in grant aid were inevitable - but cuts in services. Will be interesting to see what the new Charter for this year does say - and bear in mind that whatever it says that will be the new 100% delivery level against which actuals will be measured !
reduced services
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Brayman
Well-Known Member
Since when did Cadbury make Mars Bars?
