Spot the River Inspector

[Actionmat]

Did anyone spot one, during the busy weekend?

The Sunbury to Teddington stretch could have done with an official presence, as it was a magnet for oafs in unlicensed, unnamed ribs and speedboats.
I think I saw it all over the weekend, which for us ended at 10pm last night as I was turning into my mooring.
Behind was a small cabin cruiser with a couple of people sat on the bow with torches slowly making their way up the river and a lone rower with his head torch on.
Out of the darkness came a speedboat of around 25ft, with no lights, on the plane. It could have been very nasty, by chance it wasn't. There's never a floating beer barrel when you want one.

 

[boatone]

Did anyone spot one, during the busy weekend?

Patrol launches need two people on board so regard an occasional sighting as a rare privilege ! I did see one a week ago last Thursday in the Staines stretch. in 2015 there were less than 200 routine patrols river-wide.

The Sunbury to Teddington stretch could have done with an official presence, as it was a magnet for oafs in unlicensed, unnamed ribs and speedboats.
I think I saw it all over the weekend, which for us ended at 10pm last night as I was turning into my mooring.
Behind was a small cabin cruiser with a couple of people sat on the bow with torches slowly making their way up the river and a lone rower with his head torch on.
Out of the darkness came a speedboat of around 25ft, with no lights, on the plane. It could have been very nasty, by chance it wasn't. There's never a floating beer barrel when you want one.

Regrettably, good behaviour on the river now depends, primarily, on the goodwill and responsibility of the river users themselves. The EA just do not have the resources to maintain a meaningful presence and have practically lost control and authority over the river.

 

[Alan ashore]

Of course, if the EA (or their successors) were to be empowered to collect significant on-the-spot fines for a range of offences, then patrols on busy days could not only be self-funding, but generate a net revenue stream.

 

[Lower Limit 1909]

I also encountered 2 ribs racing each other flat out 25 knots on the plane after dark and with no lights between Teddington and Richmond last night. Pretty unnerving. They crossed the obolisk line so presumably breaking regs. in both PLA and EA territory in one go. Sunny days after sunset seems to bring the boy racers out here regularly. Given the number of floating objects and unlit nightime kayakers it's only a matter of time before there is a nasty accident. Daily PLA patrols here at regular daylight times but mainly weekdays and never in the evening.

Making enforcement self-funding through big fines and craft confiscation rights does seem the best way to fix this.

 

[boatone]

Of course, if the EA (or their successors) were to be empowered to collect significant on-the-spot fines for a range of offences, then patrols on busy days could not only be self-funding, but generate a net revenue stream.

Have made that point many times and proposed that they should be able to issue Fixed Penalty notices - Fact is it will take legislation (= interminable delays) and they don't have enough staff to do it anyway -and there is absolutely zero chance of spend to recover.

In a nutshell, we are screwed. Best we can hope for is minimal increases in licence fees and continued reductions in maintenance and services - UNLESS we can find some way to leverage people power and cause government to rethink.

No doubt someone will now accuse me of negativity and defeatism but that is not the case - meeting MP later this week and more meetings with river managers later this month but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[capnfishy]

I saw a river inspector at Bray on Saturday covering for the lock keeper's day off.

 

[bumperdump]

Cannot give fixed penalties as the law stands.

 

[blues-n-twos]

I saw one pull into the moorings behind Romney Lock on Sunday and a gentleman with 4 strips on his shoulder was helping out on the lock. It was very busy in Windsor dodging the tiny hire boats with 6 adults and 2 children in them with the transom an inch above the waterline :nonchalance:

 

[Actionmat]

One of the little boat hire companies is more sensible than most. I noticed the sign at Hampton that says 'We do not hire to all male groups'. Lesson learned no doubt