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Safety
Equipment
1 Bonny
Barge has appropriate lifejackets for everyone on board. They are of
the correct size and in good condition. They are available at your
request and are stored under the seats if events ever arise that
they are needed. It is advisable for children to wear a lifejacket
virtually all the time, even when on shore, near the water. We also
carry a couple of spare life-jackets for emergencies.
2 We carry
an anchor with adequate chain/warp to hold the craft in poor
conditions. We also have enough ropes of sufficient gauge to moor
the boat safely. (With some to spare in the event of unforeseen
circumstances.) Unused ropes are coiled neatly and are secured
safely so they can't trip people up and so they don't end up in the
water and foul the propeller.
3 We carry
two life-rings, accessible from various parts of the boat. Both are
fitted with a light line to allow it be thrown to a person in
distress and hauled back aboard.
4 A heavy
line is round the outside of the boat and it can be reached by
someone who has fallen overboard. (Similar to the loops of rope
hanging from the gunwales of the old-style lifeboats.)
5 Bonny
Barge carries adequate fire extinguishers appropriate to the
potential hazards. They are checked regularly.
6 Bonny
Barge is fitted with a bilge-pump of adequate capacity.
7 Bonny
Barge carries a good first-aid kit. A first aid course has been
taken by Skipper Billy Mason and further first aid assistance is
available at The Falkirk Wheel Visitors Centre
8 Bonny
Barge will under no circumstances allow itself to be over loaded and
will carry no more than 12 passengers and 2 crew members at a time.
9 We ALWAYS
check our fuel levels to ensure we have a sufficient amount for the
trip before we depart .
10 Bonny
Barge carries out routine maintenance and does regular checks on our
boat. We also carry some essential spares.
11 Bonny
Barge has adequate third-part/public liability insurance. This also
covers the boat when it's out of the water or laid-up for the
winter.
12 We have
practiced "Man-Overboard" routines and both members of the crew will
always know how to handle the boat should the Skipper have to jump
in the water to rescue someone.
13 Bonny
Barges mooring lines are generally set so as to avoid having a mass
of rope on the jetty. When moored for long periods we will be tied
at both bow and stern. For the short term stops we will be moored in
the middle.
BONNY BARGE BOAT TRIPS
CANAL SAFETY
PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
General
Information for crew members
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It is easy, in windy conditions
to be blown off course. Check available charts for details .
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Navigation in and around the
reeds are dangerous and can entangle in propellers - avoid at
all cost.
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When meeting other craft, keep
to your right. (However, if they are well clear of you do not
cross in front of them just to "get on the right side")
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In aqueducts and tunnels, (e.g.
Roughcastle and The Falkirk Tunnel) adhere to the lights for
right of way.
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Always tie up and switch off
engine when in the locks or on the Falkirk Wheel.
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Keep your eye on the mooring
rope to make sure it is moving freely up and down the guide pole
in the locks
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Power boats should always give
way to sailing craft. Crafts having to alter course suddenly or
make a crash stop may itself cause an accident.
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Give fisherfolk a wide berth at
all times. In boats, they may be trolling with long lines
and if fishing from the bank, your wake or engine noise may
disturb the fishing, or worse, swamp them or their gear.
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Slow down in confined waters.
Slow means Engine at Tick-Over Only. 5km/Hr. or less.
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Craft should slow down
substantially when passing or meeting other craft or give them a
wide berth, you must leave ample room for your wash to settle
when entering confined areas. Be aware of the effect of your
wash at all times. Remember, you may be liable if your wash
damages another craft or causes injury. Do not navigate at night
or in conditions of poor visibility
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Moor economically. Take up as
little space as you can. Be prepared to move to make room for
boats ahead of and behind you.
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Where a number of boats are
"rafted" together, boats away from the quay should bring lines
to the shore as well as to their neighbours. The cleats on the
inner boats may not be up to the job and it will prevent the
"craft" swinging about.
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Discourage dangerous horseplay
among your crew, it can lead to tragedy.
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Passengers are your sole
responsibility. You must make sure they are aware of basic
safety drills and behaviour on board. Passengers must remain on
board In Locks or on th Falkirk Wheel. unless.
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Drinking and driving are as
inappropriate in a boat as in a car. Save the "hard-tack" until
the boat is securely tied up for the night. Never allow the use
of illegal drugs aboard your boat. (Operating a boat under the
influence of alcohol or drugs is an offence.)
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Avoid running engines (or indeed
generators) at anti-social hours.
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Observe the mooring rules.
Protect the
Environment
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All boats
used on the inland waterways should be fitted with holding tanks
or chemical toilets. Marine toilets that discharge effluent into
the watercourse are now illegal on most inland waterways in.
Dispose of the effluent only at appropriate pump-out stations.
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The public
toilets as much as possible.
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Use only
"Green" detergents and soaps on board.
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Leave all
mooring places, banks in pristine condition. Bring home or
correctly dispose of all your rubbish. Plastic beer can holders
should be cut up and disposed of carefully lest they entangle
wild-life. Tidy up any litter you see. Set a good example.
Recycle as much material as you can.
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Respect
the wildlife. Remember that birds and animals are sensitive to
noise and disturbance, especially during the breeding season.
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Keep your
wash to a minimum in confined areas. On canals and narrow rivers
especially, your wash can cause serious bank-erosion which
affects the wildlife and also damages the navigation itself.
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Keep dogs
under control as required by law.
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Take care
when re-fuelling to avoid spillages. Use a siphon rather than
pouring from a large drum.
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