Trotman barge below Hampton court

Barges have been reclaimed , one is on the Queens promenade in Kingston , one is by the mouth of the Wey at Shepperton ( right near the waterways office )

The EA legally had to give them back for some reason.

Info is scarce at the moment
victor-meldrew-meme-1443798651-custom-0.jpg

The flaming things were a gnat's whisker from disappearing downstream - and now they are further upstream then when the EA started.

Grr, blast, and so on.....
 
Seems interesting that they were moved by the EA just as they were approaching PLA territory. Why did the EA not tow them downstream and let the PLA deal with it?

This whole thing looks like a green light for anyone considering starting up a similar business. The money certainly looks good and lighters are not expensive.
 
Re: Always willing to help.

EA also told me that the owner "had to pay a fixed cost amount" in connection with the possession order. They have not explicitly stated that the boats were only released to him after receipt of this money, but that seems a reasonable inference.

Perhaps in due course we'll find out how much this was - hopefully a significant sum of the same order as the actual costs of the enforcement action; perhaps not.

BTW the swim-head barge is now more or less opposite Nauticalia, on the frontage of Weybridge Sailing Club. I believe Elmbridge BC own the land.
 
I received a Twitter PM from @EnvAgencySE:
Our court order allowed us to remove boats from our land at Teddington Lock, but not keep them indefinitely. We were legally bound to release them from where we were holding them once the owner had made suitable arrangements to collect them. The owner is legally entitled to navigate the Thames with these boats, but not to moor them to land for longer than a reasonable period (24 hours), or in accordance with a regulated mooring site’s Ts&Cs, or against the landowner’s wishes. If they do, they can expect to face further enforcement action. Hope this helps explain.

The owner is legally entitled to navigate the Thames with these boats, but not to moor them ... in accordance with a regulated mooring site’s Ts&Cs ...

I don't think that would stand up in court.
 
Re: Always willing to help.

EA also told me that the owner "had to pay a fixed cost amount" in connection with the possession order. They have not explicitly stated that the boats were only released to him after receipt of this money, but that seems a reasonable inference.

Perhaps in due course we'll find out how much this was - hopefully a significant sum of the same order as the actual costs of the enforcement action; perhaps not.

BTW the swim-head barge is now more or less opposite Nauticalia, on the frontage of Weybridge Sailing Club. I believe Elmbridge BC own the land.
Thats quite a long way from the station. The business is changing. Now advertised as suitable for peole working in Weybridge or Walton. Previously it was close to transport links to London.

Predictable that it would shift to another Borough Council. In theory it could just go all the way up River. I wonder how South Oxon would view it ?
 
Re: Always willing to help.

As much as I want to see him off the river, I would forgive him these past 10 years if he would squat on Mill Meadow during the Henley Regatta:encouragement:
 
Re: Always willing to help.

As much as I want to see him off the river, I would forgive him these past 10 years if he would squat on Mill Meadow during the Henley Regatta:encouragement:

via Hampton Court and then the Brocas perhaps ?

:):):) OK Yaa......
 
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Re: Always willing to help.

Oh dear, dare I ask why?
There are councils who have let the towpath go to pot with squatters, there are councils who treat the river like it wasn't there. And then there is Henley, that treats the river like a parking meter; all geared up for the rowers while milking the MB's.
 
Re: Always willing to help.

Oh dear, dare I ask why?


A more sceptical chap might suggest that if this problem was occurring in the
Democratic Peoples Republic of Henley apon Thames, money, time and expertise would soon be found to provide a solution to solve this little problem. :)
 
Re: Always willing to help.

A more sceptical chap might suggest that if this problem was occurring in the
Democratic Peoples Republic of Henley apon Thames, money, time and expertise would soon be found to provide a solution to solve this little problem. :)

A better class of slumboat dear boy :)
There is actually a livaboard barge on the Henley Town council moorings currently, but it was allowed to stay there with their full blessing for the winter.
Someone on board needs access to the local nurse on a regular basis and they even visit the boat, however its very well kept and looks nothing like the Trottman eyesore.
 
Re: Always willing to help.

A more sceptical chap might suggest that if this problem was occurring in the
Democratic Peoples Republic of Henley apon Thames, money, time and expertise would soon be found to provide a solution to solve this little problem. :)

They have Steve from SRB - Trotman would not stand a chance!!:nonchalance:
 
Re: Always willing to help.

Beware of the jack russels!!

To be fair Steve doesn't run the Mill Meadows moorings in Henley by the museum. He has approached the council about it but they already employ wardens to come round and collect if you want to stay the night. You can moor during day for free there which is handy.
Steve manages land owned by HRR (regatta) and Copas (farmers) and another landowner I'm not sure who it is possibly the Plough pub?
 
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Re: Always willing to help.

I asked EA to let me know who these boats are insured with. They very politely declined, on the advice of their Data Protection officer.

My thought had been to make sure that the insurers were fully aware of all the circumstances, and perhaps to encourage them to inspect the vessels for themselves if they have not already done so.

As for the BSS certification, I would still dearly love to know which examiner has been issuing these. According to adverts one was done in November, one in February.
While other posters have pointed out that it's probably not too hard for these boats to be temporarily prepared to pass a BSS exam, I am wondering whether the examiners are obliged to accept a request to survey any vessel at any location?
Over the years I've used several different Thames-based examiners, all of whom clearly love the river - I'd be very surprised if any of them would have chosen freely to support this horrid enterprise.
 
Re: Always willing to help.

I thought I'd shop around for cheaper insurance, but couldn't find a new insurer who would cover any boat over 27ft without a new survey. This would cost a lot more than the few quid I might save on a new policy, so how on earth does Trotman get insurance on boats of that size without a satisfactory surveryors report and from where?
I would also like to know what type of river licence he pays? Private, or the much higher commercial rate?
The same with insurance. Private or commercial? If the EA are not forthcoming, could there be grounds for a Freedom of Information request?
 
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