Speeding on the Norfolk Broads – Do Not Speed it can be Expensive                     

A few months ago we provided Expert Evidence for a private boat owner of a very nice 37′ single screw motor cruiser whom had the misfortune to be photographed with a mobile phone camera at 4 + mph ?  in a  4 mph speed limit.

How you can possibly register the speed of a vessel on a mobile phone camera from the bank is beyond us but in the event !

The Broads Authority decided to proceed to court with this case on the basis that the client was travelling at around 8 mph, despite the fact that the only evidence available were photographs taken with a mobile phone camera from the shore

Due to lack of magistrates amongst other factors this case went to court three times and at the end our client was found not-guilty on two out of three counts, but apparently ? there was sufficient evidence to support a case of travelling in excess of 4 mph

The fine for this major offence was some £ 200, however the legal costs involved were between £20-30K, with the Broads Authority share of costs being paid by you – All boat owners and waterway users on the Norfolk Broads. The Broads Authority were not prepared to see sense and ‘mediate’ and insisted on going to court with expensive Barristers and Lawyers

The purpose of this blog it to make all boat owners aware that the current penalty for exceeding the speed limit on the Norfolk Broads & Rivers is nothing simple like a £60 fine plus 3 points, but is  MEANS TESTED

Consequently you could possibly face a fine of several thousand pounds       £££££££

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Hampton Safari 25  – Survey for Insurance Purposes                 

Louis Bodmer – This week undertook at Eastwood Whelpton – Upton Yacht Station (home of one of the few dedicated sailing hire fleets on the Norfok Broads) – An insurance survey of this 40+ year old Hampton 25, being probably an ex hire boat, but now in private hands

The Hampton Safari originated on Oulton Broad in the early 60s (initially in wood) being a forward drive hire boat.  Subsequently GRP mouldings were made and many other builders (including Dawn Craft Wroxham) produced this very popular inland waterway boat, both as private and hire craft.

The first Hamptons with sliding forward roofs were produced in 1968 followed by sunshine roof versions.  The hull has a long central box keel giving good manoeuvrability and versions produced as 2 / 4 berth with a single central engine

This particular boat needs quite a lot of cosmetic attention plus improvement to services installations.  To include battery electrics, fuel system and LPG installations

The painted hull has been subject to impact damage especially in the bow area and gunwale fendering bolts show evidence of external corrosion.  The mild steel extended skeg arrangement supporting the single semi balanced rudder shows evidence of corrosion

No boat has sunk as a direct consequence of osmosis – and as always in the majority of broads based boats of this vintage there is intermittent osmosis. The extent is not too severe and structurally this boat should continue for many more years to come

More information, findings and practical recommendations for boat owners to follow in due course or call us to discuss

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Tonnage Measurement of Yachts Under 24m  (Form SUR59D)

Merchant Shipping  (Tonnage) Regulations, 1997, Part 111

Pre-registration Certificate of Survey/Tonnage. The yacht / motor cruiser must be surveyed and measured to obtain details of size, and other descriptive particulars necessary for the registration of British Ships under the Merchant Shipping Acts. This is carried out by a Surveyor of one of the approved classification societies or a Surveyor appointed or authorised by the Administration. The Surveyor issues a Certificate of Survey and a Tonnage Certificate (British or International).

EMS are approved to undertake tonnage surveys for yachts / motorboats up to 24m for Certifying Authorities – YBDSA  &  IIMS

For information Tonnage Surveys are required for Marine Finance – By Banks and most Financial Institutions.

Examples of tonnage surveys undertaken in the last few months……

Broom 395 / 3x Broom 28 / 2x Broom 35 Coupe / Broom 30 / Broom 38 / Broom 430 / Haines 360  /  Targa 37 / Fairline 43

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Nautor Swan 441 – Blue Water Offshore Cruising Yacht                                              

The Swan 441 is a great blue water cruising yacht being a classic Ron Holland design, being versatile and very well built if slightly heavy in construction

European Marine have been asked to undertake a Valuation of this yacht for VAT Importation Purposes and to provide assistance with documentation, the yacht being berthed in Malta.

Initially a Walk Through Inspection will be undertaken followed by a report detailing the yacht to its present specification and  current condition – being a 1979 construction an area to be looked at would be the (old) teak laid decks which are very expensive to replace

More information, findings and practical recommendations for boat owners to follow in due course or call us to discuss

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

County Court Judgements  CCJ’s   ……………………..   NAME  &  SHAME

To:    All Yacht Brokers, Boatyards and Marine Service Providers  –  BE  AWARE

European Marine Services Ltd have the following Marine Services – Bad Debts  ….

Despite CCJ’s and issued Warrants we regretfully have been unable to secure payment from the following parties for marine services provided

Warrant #  0A021983     Seamaster 813    ‘Thrifty Six’      £ 429.00          (#781)                              Mr Stewart Rogers of   7b Market Place, Bungay Suffolk

Warrant #  0A021999      Bourne 30          ‘Tipple Too’       £ 449.80           (#749)                             Mr Peter Gray of   3 Stockmen Field, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire.   We believe the party is converting this boat to live-aboard

Should you know of these parties or have any current address we would be pleased to hear from you   –    Please share / circulate

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Connoisseur 37     Features – A very nice boat for just two people      

A Pre Purchase Survey recently undertaken at Herbert Woods Potter Heigham. This boat started life as a hire boat in France being built by Porter & Haylett of Wroxham part of Hire Operators Le Boat (France)  Whom in turn are part of the much larger Tui Holiday Group

An interesting boat having been much changed from its hire days with the fitting of a very nice and practical kitchen in the bow.

    A large and practical kitchen (galley) in the bow

The master cabin is sited in the stern with a decent sized double bed that actually slides to become even larger, plus a separate shower and separate toilet to one

An unusual feature of the Connoisseur is the single side entrance which is easy to enter from large side decks.  Visibility when cruising is good in a large spacious saloon with a winch operated sliding roof for when the weather is good

The downside we found on this boat was what is most common in many boats that have been changed (modified) and that is the lack of access to systems and services plus bilge spaces etc etc

Hydraulic propulsion via a single diesel engine located in the transom, however as there was no bilge pump in this compartment deep trapped water was evident that needs to be drained asap

Again as in most boats that have spent time on inland waters such as the Norfolk Broads there was intermittent osmosis though not of great concern and not too extensive. All services are in good shape

More information, findings and practical recommendations for boat owners to follow in due course or call us to discuss

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

 Mariah 260 Sports cruiser – Insurance Claim Sinking                                                 

European Marine as loss adjusters were instructed by a major marine insurance company to inspect this boat following its unfortunate incident and establish the following:

Causation and any action taken to prevent such a loss    Accidental damage if any to have caused this loss.   Mooring conditions and Condition of vessel prior to the incident.   

The background to the incident was that the vessel hit an underwater object resulting in major damage to the Mercruiser outdrive unit, resulting in the ingress of water, partial sinking and a flooded engine compartment

More information, findings and practical recommendations for boat owners to follow in due course

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 12301603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Princess 266 – Accidental Sinking      

European Marine as loss adjusters were instructed by a major marine insurance company to inspect this boat following its unfortunate incident and establish the following:

The cause as to the accident. Any accidental damage. Mooring conditions and condition of vessel prior to the incident.

The background to the incident was that the vessel due to strong prevailing winds, with a combination of high tides the vessel was blown onto the bank with the aft cockpit / cabin partly submerged. Consequential damage to the two Volvo Penta petrol engines, engine compartment flooded and rear cabin flooded

More information, findings and practical recommendations for boat owners to follow in due course

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 12301603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Aquafibre 38     Pre Purchase Survey                                                                          

Pre Purchase Survey carried out at Barnes Brinkcraft of Wroxham 

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 12301603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

c 1960 Classic Wood River Launch                       

” Gentleman’s Frolic Launch “

We recently had the pleasure of surveying this ‘gentleman’s launch’ at the long established Landamore’s Wroxham Yard, helped by the ever supportive and knowledgeable Ronnie Dack

This weekend day boat / launch started life as a small sloop sailing yacht in 1960 being converted by the present owner in 2006 to a very nice classic design day boat. We also understand that this boat was exhibited at the 1960 London Boat Show as a sailing yacht

This river launch is an unusual build being a double diagonal mahogany hull with a mahogany superstructure, plus a small central keel and twin bilge keels. Originally built as a small sloop yacht and then converted to a river launch with a single inboard diesel engine (2006)

The layout consists of a small galley with full cooking facilities, a small toilet aft and central saloon double bed conversion

Steering is forward under an extended peak with drop down canvas side awnings.

Generally in good order throughout though now suffering from lack of cosmetic maintenance and specifically paint and varnish where moisture is now penetrating

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd.  Marine Surveyors & Consultants 
EMS also undertake Boat Safety Inspections & Engine Inspections

www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: 01603 327 123