Super Safety Day helps boaters
The first of a series of Super Safety days run by the Broads Authority was a big success with 70 boats being given free safety information and installation checks at St Benet’s Abbey.
Boats were stopped for speeding, toll offences and for routine safety checks on visiting craft.
Of 69 boats stopped 54 were not displaying toll plaques and 14 did not display registration marks. One unlicensed boat which had a Boat Safety Certificate failed a hazardous boat check because modifications carried out since the issue of the BSS certificate were not of the required standard. Another boat owner invited Broads Authority officers on board to check installations and they gave him free advice.
“Boat owners were very co-operative and welcomed the free information, said Broads Safety Officer, Steve Birtles. “We would like to emphasise the need to continually check your boat’s installations, because just having a BSS certificate does not guarantee all is well. Boat owners need to maintain their boats to the required standard.
“The good news is that lots of people were wearing lifejackets. However we would warn people that it is dangerous to wear a self inflating lifejacket under a coat because if it inflates it could crush your body.”
More safety days will be held throughout the season to keep people informed of the standards with which their craft need to comply to navigate the Broads.
13/05/09
