Here, this scuttlebutt forum is quite a good laugh, i should visit it more often!!!
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Following the near miss today, 29th January 2007, between a small sailing craft and the Lake Windermere ferry, the Lake District National Park Authority has introduced a traffic separation system for vessels navigating the length of the Lake.
In future vessels wishing to cross the path of Windermere ferry will have to obtain a permit from the Wardens office on Ferry Nab. The permit will be available to all those who have passed a series of tests, both practical and written. The permit will cost £45.00 and be valid for the year in which it was issued. Crossing the path of the ferry without a permit will result in an automatic £250.00 fine.
A spokesperson fro the LDNPA stated that they had obtained photographic evidence of sailing boats deliberately hindering the ferry’s passage. Whilst there had not yet been a serious accident, the authority felt it was only a matter of time before someone was injured or killed by this reckless behaviour.
“Only today we have seen a small white craft, dithering about in the middle of the lake. It was clear that the helmsman had no idea where he was going. At one time he was seen to stand and wave at the onlookers on the far shore. In future these people are going to have to pass the test or restrict themselves to either the North or South of the Lake.”
The LDNPA strenuously denied that this was another money making venture to get them out of the hole made by their own maladministration.