Norfolk Broads hire firm boss fears ‘death trap’ boats risk.
Bosses of hiring boat companies have asked for further action to combat the rise of “death trap boats” on the Broads.
Daniel Thwaites, a Broads Authority member and director of Barnes Brinkcraft, said he was “frustrated” by the hazard that poorly maintained yachts presented to hire boats.
He specifically targeted “live-aboards” (vessels used as houses) that do not follow boat safety requirements.
At a meeting, he told his fellow navigation committee members, “It irritates me that my hiring boats are at risk from illegal boats, but nothing seems to be done about it.
The issue came to light when the navigation committee gathered to discuss a review of the boat safety requirements necessary for waterway users, citing an increase in non-compliant vessels.
Vessels that are not properly maintained are more likely to sink or catch fire, among other concerns.
The BA wants to amend its bylaws to give it additional powers to remove unsafe boats.
It has proposed an amendment with would make it an offence if boat owners do not hold a valid boat safety certificate.
A boat that sank to the bottom of the River Yare was rescued earlier this year (Photo: Owen Sennitt).
This would increase the BA’s authority to remove unsafe boats from the waterways by threatening fines.
The BA’s CEO, John Packman, stated, “This is not simple and is becoming increasingly difficult.
“Ultimately, we will take people to court if they do not have this certificate.”
John Packman, chief executive of the Broads Authority (Image: Broads Authority)
Making changes to the Broads Authority Act will require approval from government ministers, which may be a lengthy process.
It is one among several initiatives the BA is doing to fight the issue of badly maintained vessels, which are boosting costs owing to the need to remove wrecks from waterways.
A boat amnesty has been proposed, in which vessels in bad condition would be delivered to the BA for removal and scrapping.
While no decision has been made to pursue the bylaw revision, the navigation committee unanimously supported the proposal.
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