Operation Longboat Phase Two

We couldn’t hold back any longer knowing our experiences of last winter. With a crowbar in one hand and a claw hammer in the other we set about phase two of our major refurbishment programme.

In the first part of the programme we were able to:

• Create a spacious day room
• Provide new folding beds and chairs
• Create more under deck storage
• Strip back areas of paint to bare metal

In this second part of the programme we will be undertaking the following:

• A new wet room
• New LED lighting
• A new galley and refrigeration
• A new energy management system comprising:
  - 24 volt charging from the engine
  - Solar power & Charging
  - Wind Generator
  - Inverter to provide 240v power 24/7

In our first weekend of work we have already stripped out the starboard toilet, cupboards, hot water cylinder and part of the galley. Over the next couple of weekends we will continue to strip out the old before we start building the new facilities.

Working with us over the next few months on our energy management will be Jack Giles from FX Technology. Jack has recently installed new electrics on ‘Challenger’ at the Canal Boat Project. As our work progresses we’ll keep you updated with reports and photos.

More CCBM Training & Exam

So, the three volunteers who have ploughed through the training programme over the past year finally got to complete their CCBM at the Canal Boat Project in Harlow.

Joining Brian, George and Sean were David Powell of the steam narrowboat ‘President’ and Ron Abbott of Blackwater Boats Ron kept us well feed during the two days on board

For further information on ‘President or Blackwater Boats go to:

http://www.nb-president.org.uk/index.php

http://www.blackwater-boats.co.uk/index.html

The trainers/examiners over the two days were ‘Banny’ Banyard, the national voice of the NCBA and Tony Plunkett a trainer at CBP and Trustee of DCBT.

Monday Evening
Mainly going through the programme and a meal in a local pub

Tuesday
We started by getting Red Watch ready for the trip – pump out, water etc. Soon we were reversing up the river to the nearest winding hole so we could cruise up river.

For the first part of the trip we tried unsuccessfully to tow Banny’s own narrow boat that was going up river to be slipped at Kecksy's Farm. Once we had unhitched the boat it was plain sailing, until the rain started. Although we all own waterproofs of some description or other, in heavy rain they are quite useless. My £14 German Army Poncho gives more protection than my intergalactic storm proof jacket!

On Tuesday evening we moored at the entrance to Little Hallingbury Marina as they wouldn’t let us in, even though some of us were using the restaurant. Not sure who thought of mooring there as it was right under the flight path for Stanstead Airport!

Only got a few hours sleep that night as Sean snores like a steam train in a tunnel. Must be the reason the river was full of stunned fish early in the morning.

Wednesday
Yours truly was in charge of the boat when the trainers shouted man overboard and fire in the galley. This was our full blown evacuation test, which took 5 minutes. Getting the stern of the boat into the bank was a bitch as by this time reverse gear was acting up. We suspect it was a lack of gear oil. Needless to say the two supposed people in the water would have died as it was bitterly cold.

Anyway, the rest of the day went without incident and we’re glad the CCBM is over apart from a few loose ends next week.