Courtesy on our waterways

Speed

Historically, working boat families lived in very confined spaces and the privacy of their homes was important. No one would ever poke their nose down a neighbour’s hatch and shout; a subtle knock on the cabin side and a step back until the occupant appeared was the order of the day. Private or intimate family moments were not for sharing. Today, boaters may have more living space but the same principle applies so when passing on the water or towpath, staring into cabin windows is not welcome. Incidentally, we have found that having notices in the window can encourage people to peer in on the pretence of reading them. Occasionally we get a request, “Can our children have a look in your boat please?”. It is di cult, but a er explaining that it is our home, we do sometimes let them stick their head through the side hatch rather than be un iendly.

For those a ending boating events, mooring in close proximi or ra ed up may necessitate much crossing of stern decks. There is probably no need to ask permission each time but a cheery “coming across” warns anyone below handling a hot cooking pan. And remember: not everyone equents the beer tent late at night so please re ain om singing on the way back to the moorings!

Perhaps the most significant courtesy issue concerns passing moored cra . Of course the well-established practice of passing ‘on tick over’ or as slow as possible applies. I suggest that other issues are worth consideration too. As our waterways increasingly reduce in available depth, it is di cult at times to pass without any wash and movement of moored boats. In windy conditions lighter cra may need power to maintain direction. As a previous owner of a Water Rat drawing around 3in, I know this all too well. Good mooring practices help here, with mooring points apart rather than being within the length of the boat and if no rings or opportuni to use piling anchors, then pins need to be well secured. While passing boats may be annoying, abusive comments coming om cabin windows may not be conducive to good relations.

Another courtesy matter for boaters concerns locks. As water conservation becomes more critical, sharing locks where possible and not turning a lock around in the face of oncoming boats are obvious considerations.

Moorings

In many popular places moorings can be in short supply and it seems basic courtesy to help fellow boaters to fit in. It is sometimes di cult for the early moorers to leave appropriate spaces so some degree of re-mooring may be necessary if spaces are at a premium. Moving someone’s boat in their absence is a tricky one – and I am not advocating it here – but it is important to all work together. That includes mooring alongside if sufficient width is available and there are several window stickers welcoming this practice. Another consideration when moored close to other boats is noise from running engines or generators. This may be necessary from time to time but please keep it to a minimum and not between the stipulated times of 8pm to 8am. Courtesy to neighbours in this instance also extends to adjacent dwellings so it may be preferable to moor away from them if running your engine.

Towpaths

When enjoying leisure activities on towpaths such as walking, running, cycling, angling and photography, please appreciate other users’ needs and safety in what is often a very narrow corridor between vegetation and water. For example, cycling is fine, particularly with the benefit of a bell, but high speed or racing certainly isn’t. Cycles can be silent and a polite “passing on your right” may avoid the risk of people jumping the wrong way to avoid danger. Cyclists should also be aware of children and pets on the towpath and give them priority.

Permission for organised events should be obtained from the appropriate navigation authority. This is not just for bureaucratic reasons. Permissions can facilitate courtesy by publicising larger events, checking any clashes with other users such as fishing competitions and perhaps installing warning signs on the route. IWA work parties to improve the towpaths are important but should be well planned and signposted throughout, with safe access for other users. Work parties are of course a good opportunity to have a courteous word with passers-by and possibly encourage more support of IWA.

Anglers often need a considerable amount of gear. I won’t mention issues around roach poles, so a wider towpath location is preferred. Groups of walkers can inadvertently cause clusters, making it difficult for others to pass, so spreading out is good practice as is having a leader in a high-vis jacket and back marker.

From time to time it may be necessary to obstruct parts of the towpath with various equipment such as mooring spikes, cameras or angling equipment. Please ensure that this is kept to a minimum and clearly identified.

Pets

The towpath is also great for dogs but not everyone is as mad about them as you so they should be kept under control. And there is the other dog issue, of course. Personally, in rural areas I would rather see a poop scoop used to dispose of it well into the bushes than the less environmentally friendly plastic bag but as I am no longer a dog owner I will leave that to you. Many boaters have cats on board so do keep an eye out for them, especially if you have a dog which likes to chase.

There are other issues around courtesy that I haven’t mentioned here which will no doubt engender some discussion. If the result is a greater understanding and enjoyment of the waterways by everyone, so much the better.