Skipper s Handbook. Please return this handbook to reception upon departure. Your Freedom Cruiser is Strictly Non-Smoking

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1 Skipper s Handbook Please return this handbook to reception upon departure Your Freedom Cruiser is Strictly Non-Smoking

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3 Contents Welcome to your Freedom Holiday Cruiser... 5 Telephone Numbers you may need... 7 Preparing for your holiday... 9 What you should bring... 9 What not to bring... 9 Arrivals... 9 Fuel Deposit Damage Waiver Security Deposit Return of vessel Safety Lifejackets Whilst on deck Children on-board Gas Safety Fire Extinguishers & Blankets Raising and lowering the sliding canopy What you will find on your boat Galley equipment Bedding Hot & Cold Water Deck Gear Heating Toilets Controlling the Engine Boat Handling Please be careful Before you set off Mooring Turning the boat around General Navigation Guide Rope Handling Common boat handling errors Fuel Conservation Daily Checks Routine Checks and top-ups Winter Cruising Boatyard Moorings Troubleshooting Page 3

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5 Welcome to your Freedom Holiday Cruiser I appreciate that you may only just have booked your Norfolk Broads Holiday and that you may not be actually stepping on board for a number of weeks, but really, your Freedom Boating Holiday starts here. We ve carefully re-written this skippers manual after a couple of years of listening to our customers comments, questions and points to produce a document that, we hope, gives you a really good introduction to your cruiser and a level of information on what to expect, what s included and what you need to bring with you. We consider this skipper s manual to be a living document that will receive regular updates as and when changes need to be made. If you have any feedback on this handbook, we would be grateful to receive it. The handbook is written in a friendly, conversational tone, often pointing out what might be blinding obvious or common sense. Please excuse me; it s just that sometimes we all find that common sense isn t all that common any more and if it s not said, it may not occur to everyone. Ultimately, we want you to have a great holiday on the Norfolk Broads, relaxing on one of our cruisers, just pottering around these beautiful rivers. We ll provide you with a basic map when you arrive which is usually more than adequate for exploring the rivers and can also advise you on journey times and so on. If you need any more help or guidance than this handbook provides, please don t hesitate to get in touch. Andrew Banner Managing Director Freedom Cruisers Page 5

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7 Telephone Numbers you may need Freedom Cruisers is on hand to ensure that your holiday is trouble free. If you have any questions or require assistance after leaving the boatyard, please do not hesitate to call Freedom on the appropriate number below. In the event of a mechanical failure or breakdown, please call. An engineer will attend during work hours as soon as is practical or after hours if it s an emergency. Please call our Fault Reporting Service in the first instance. This is an answer phone system that will record the details of your fault and distribute the message to operatives on-call. It is imperative that you leave a message. If you haven t had a return call within 20 minutes, please call the boatyard or engineering mobile. Fault Reporting Service Please be ready with the following information: The name of the vessel Any nearby landmark or post How many people on board number The name of the river The nearest Broads Authority 24 The nearest village hour mooring site - the sign may include a grid reference on a white sticker Please Note: A flat domestic battery or TV failure does not generally constitute an emergency. An engineer will not attend after hours for a flat domestic battery. Please run your engine to gain power. Other telephone numbers: Freedom Boatyard Bookings & Enquiry line Freedom Engineering Mobile After Hours Emergency only. Yarmouth Yacht Station Broads Radio Control Great Yarmouth Coast Guard Potter Heigham Bridge Pilot Wroxham Bridge Pilot Bridge pilot operation is at the discretion of the particular operator. Wroxham is generally in operation from Easter to the end of October Potter Heigham is a operational all year. In situations involving fire, accidents with serious personal injury or immediate criminal behaviour call fire, ambulance or police HM coastguard will respond to other emergency situations such as all Broads water related emergencies including sinking, grounding on Breydon Water etc. To report non-emergency matters to the police call Broads Beat To report navigational matters such as obstruction of the channel, damage to markers and signs or pollution and for navigational advice call Broads Authority Broads Control. Accidents and incidents should also be reported to Broads Control if the emergency services have been informed or Ask for Broads Beat You are not permitted to navigate under either bridge without the aid of a pilot To report injured wildlife call the RSPCA For health advice and information call NHS Direct Page 7

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9 Preparing for your holiday What you should bring You should bring comfortable non-slip shoes and waterproof clothing and anticipate the kind of weather you d expect for the season and pack appropriately. Typically, there s not a lot of storage space on boats so if you re packing suitcases, be prepared to stash them in your car during your holiday or store them in your car. Don t forget to bring any medicines prescribed by your doctor (or vet). They may be hard to source once you have arrived. Please note that your boat will not have a permanent supply of electricity (either 12v or 240v) and so we cannot guarantee power for any medical equipment that may have. Please review your booking form and associated paperwork taking note of any additional money that you need to bring with you for the holiday; fuel and security deposits must be paid in cash reception will not accept any other form of payment and you will not be permitted to board until this is settled. Please also have your booking form ready when you arrive so we can confirm your booking and avoid delays. Even if you re planning to eat out all the time, we advise that you bring food and drink with you just in case you can t moor by your chosen pub or restaurant. What not to bring Hair Driers Most domestic ones are too powerful for most boats but you can hire suitable ones from reception Irons Electric Kettles / Toasters Portable Gas Appliances such as barbeques Arrivals The boat yard is open from 9am until 5pm or dusk if earlier. Please bear in mind that our handover procedure and safety briefing for the boat will take, on average, between 45 and 60 minutes (including a river trial and instruction). If you arrive too late, you will not be permitted to leave the boat yard until the next day. If you think you may arrive after closing hours, please telephone the boat yard and we will tell you where to find the boat and leave basic instructions for that evening; you will receive your handover the next morning. In general, during British Summer Time, boats are available from 2pm for short breaks and 4pm for holidays of a week or longer. During Greenwich Mean Time, we aim to have all vessels available from 2pm. However, this is not a guaranteed time. Page 9

10 Fuel Deposit The value of your fuel deposit will be shown on your booking form and or in associated paperwork. You need to pay the fuel deposit (in cash) before you will be allowed to board your boat. The vessel will have a full tank of fuel when you board the boat and will be refueled when you return the boat at the end of your holiday. The value of the fuel used to refuel will be deducted from the deposit that we hold and the remainder, if any, refunded to you. If the deposit we hold is not sufficient to cover the cost of the fuel used, you will be asked to pay the difference. Please allow time at the end of your holiday for boat yard personnel to refuel the boat so that we can make a refund before you return home. If you do not wait, we will seek to refund your money within six weeks by alternative methods. Damage Waiver The damage waiver payment, which is a compulsory part of your holiday charge, covers you for accidental damage to the boat. It does not cover the cost of any loss of or damage to deck gear (to include, though not exclusively ropes, mud weights, fenders, mops, boat hooks, rhond anchors). It also does not cover damage caused by negligence or willful misuse or cause. Security Deposit For certain types of party and for the hire of dinghies or canoes, we will require an additional security deposit, which must be paid on arrival in cash. No other payment method will be accepted for security deposits. If the deposit is not available, you will not be permitted to take over the vessel, dinghy or canoe and no refund shall be payable under such conditions. Deposits will be returned at the end of your cruise provided that the boat and its equipment are returned in good condition, clean and at the agreed time. Return of vessel You must return your vessel by 9am on the last day of your holiday. Please make sure that the boat is clean and tidy and that you notify the boat yard of any damage or losses. You will be expected to cover the cost of any deck gear that has been lost or damaged. If the boat is returned late without prior permission or if it is abandoned or returned in an unacceptable state, you will be charged 50 per hour or part in order to recover the vessel and/or clean the vessel. Page 10

11 Safety Lifejackets Life Jackets are issued for your safety. Whilst it is entirely up to you whether they are worn, please remember the following points and consider them carefully before consigning your lifesaver to a locker or wardrobe. Your lifejacket is useless to you unless you wear it and secure it properly. Cold water will quickly send your body into shock, which will rule out swimming, treading water and so on. People who have hit their head before or whilst entering the water may be disorientated or unconscious the life jacket will keep you the right way up and is designed to keep your head above water. Someone wearing a lifejacket is much easier to recover from the water than someone who is not. Whilst on deck Wear your life jacket Do not run Hold onto a grab rail Do not jump Watch for ropes and obstructions around your feet Don t get complacent Wear sensible, non-slip, flat-soled shoes Mop up any muddy or slippery deposits Man Over Board If you should encounter somebody in the water, whether it s a member of your crew or not, you should offer assistance but also be aware of the significant dangers your vessel presents to them. Do Offer assistance Throw life ring or buoy (close to, not at the stricken person) Throw a line Create a foot-hold using a long loop of rope tied off to a cleat Call for additional assistance as necessary Don t Reverse your boat towards them they may be hurt by the propellor Risk being pulled in by offering your hand to get them up Children on-board Please keep your children under control and supervision at all times. If you are on a forward or centre-drive vessel, it is a good idea to lock the back door so that children can t gain easy access to the rear deck or well a mishap here whilst the boat is underway could be catastrophic. We recommend not allowing children to run around the decks or to sit at the bows with their feet dangling over the edge. Page 11

12 Gas Safety Your boat s cooker is fueled by Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottles, which are generally located outside the living spaces in a gas-tight locker. Our boat yard staff will show you where they are on your boat. Never let gas escape inside the boat. Unlike natural gas, LPG is heavier than air and any escaping gas will collect in the bilges where an accumulation and can be very dangerous. If you suspect a leak, close the gas bottles, switch off all batteries and the main gas cut-off switch, turn off all electrical, appliances (fridge, water pump, bilge pump, etc.) and do not let anyone smoke. Open all doors, windows, hatches, etc. to ventilate the cabins, evacuate the boat and call for assistance. You are not permitted to take on board any portable gas appliance or any portable gas container. Fire Extinguishers & Blankets Your boat is equipped with at least two fire extinguishers and a fire blanket. Make sure you are aware where these are located. To avoid having to use it, you should never leave a flame unattended and ensure that curtains or any other inflammable material away is away from the cooker. In the event of a fire: tell the other crew members to get off the boat turn off the gas at the bottle and, ideally all other isolation taps locate the nearest fire extinguisher and follow the instructions on it if you cannot immediately control the fire, don t do anything that could put you in danger; get off the boat and call for help. The fire blanket can be used to put out clothes that have caught on fire or if, for example, the frying pan catches alight. For any other type of fire a fire extinguisher is more effective. Memorize the location of these items and take time to read the instructions provided on the equipment. Raising and lowering the sliding canopy If your boat has a sliding canopy, please observe the following safety precautions: Ensure that everybody on boat the boat is aware that you are raising or lowering the canopy and ensure they are safely away from it. Never allow anybody to stand or sit on the canopy it is not designed to have additional weight on it and may break. When winding up, ensure that nobody is on deck around it Never allow the canopy to freewheel down. It is heavy and potentially dangerous. Ensure that you are not lowering the canopy onto any deck gear or other items already on the roof behind the canopy. Keep yourself, clothing, ropes and anything else away from the structure and moving parts. Do not over-tighten the canopy when winding up it may damage the canopy, cables and gearing. Page 12

13 What you will find on your boat Galley equipment Depending on the quality rating and size of the boat, you will find a varying amount of cookware that is commensurate with the vessel. This will include pots and pans, cutlery, crockery, cooking utensils, knives and glassware. Feel free to bring your own cookware but remember that storage space may be limited. Please note that we do not allow chip-pans on board due to the significant danger that these represent. You will be provided with basic washing-up cloths and tea-towels but we do not provide washing-up liquid. Your boat has an electric refrigerator, the size of which varies from boat to boat and is commensurate with the berthing capacity of the vessel up to a standard under-counter domestic fridge. All fridges have small iceboxes, which can be used for limited short-term (**) storage of frozen food. Bedding You will be provided with bedding for all members of your crew, which shall consist of base sheets, duvets with covers and pillows with pillowcases. In winter, we also provide additional blankets. Please make use of the base sheets most boats have soft upholstered mattresses and it s tempting not to use the base sheet and sleep straight on the mattress. Just remember, you won t be the first person that this has occurred to and it s impossible to launder these covers on a regular basis. Please notify us of how many doubles and singles you require before you arrive If we do not know these details please anticipate a delay when you arrive whilst we get your bedding ready. Additional bedding is available and charges may be made at reception. Hot & Cold Water All the water from taps on your boat comes from storage tanks. You should refill with water every day to ensure that you do not run out. Your engine heats your domestic water and so if you run out of hot water or it cools overnight, you will need to run your engine for up to 60 minutes in order to obtain hot water. If you run out of water, the water pump will run continuously until it either blows a fuse or burns out. Please switch off the water pump if you run out of water and refill as soon as possible. Deck Gear Your boat will be provided with suitable mooring ropes (warps), ground spikes (rhond anchors), a mud weight anchor and other suitable deck gear. Page 13

14 Heating All Freedom boats are equipped with warm air heaters to warm the cabins. In most cases, they use the same diesel as the boat s engine but the heat is distributed by an electric fan system and will therefore consume energy. Never use the heater unnecessarily or run it during the night whilst you are asleep. Operating the heater Most boat s controls are similar and the boat yard staff will advise on the operation during the handover procedure. Please bear in mind the following: The preheating cycle will take 5 to 10 minutes; don t expect instant heat The burnt gases are evacuated via an exhaust pipe on the side of your boat. These gases are very hot and may damage fenders if they are close by. Also, beware that if the breeze is blowing the exhaust back in the direction of the boat, it s possible that this will enter the cabins via the vents do not block vents; they are essential for your safety and help keep condensation at bay. If it s a problem, consider moving the vessel. If the heater does not start or turns off mid cycle, switch it off, start the boat s engine (to produce more electricity) then re-start the heater. If you leave your boat, turn off the heating. Toilets Your boat toilet operates differently from your lavatory at home. The boat yard staff will advise you on the use of the toilet during the hand-over procedure. All our boat toilets store effluent in a holding tank, which may need to be pumped-out during your holiday. All hire boat yards have pump-out facilities and a charge will be made. The cost of this pump-out is not recoverable. You must not dispose of anything into your boat toilet other than human waste and soft toilet paper you are liable to block the toilet and charges will be made to unblock it. Please don t use any cleaning chemicals in the toilet as these may adversely affect the chemical within the waste tank, which may stop it from working properly, or give off unpleasant gasses. Page 14

15 Controlling the Engine The dashboards of our boats have very similar dials and warning lights to those of a car and so will be familiar. However, the controls are different and there is no speedometer. Most boats will have dials showing engine temperature, oil pressure, charge rates, rev counters and hour meters and most also have warning buzzers to indicate low oil pressure and overheating engines. All of the indicator lights on the dash should be noted. With the exception of the pre-heat light and bilge pump light (if fitted), all other lights indicate an error state and you should call the boat yard if you are unable to determine the fault/cause. The control lever at the helm has two functions: To engage forward or reverse gear To act as an accelerator / decelerator Your boat has no brakes. To slow down, simply ease the accelerator back to stop quickly, put the boat into reverse. For more information on this, please refer to the Manoeuvring section. Starting the engine Carry out your daily checks on the engine before starting for the first time that day. Ensure that the Engine Stop pull handle (if fitted) is properly pushed all the way home. Firstly, disengage the gearbox (the boat yard staff will demonstrate how) then push the accelerator lever forward about half-way. If the engine hasn t been run that day or has cooled, turn and hold the ignition key to the preheat position and watch for an indicator light or a significant drop in the volts or amp meter (depending on the boat) hold in this position for about seconds. Ignore this step if the engine is warm. Then turn the key to the start position (some boats require that you push in the key also). Once the engine starts, move the accelerator smoothly back to the idle position. If the engine is particularly cold, it may stall so simply restart as described here and move the lever back after 30 seconds of running. Check that the rev counter is functioning properly and that there are no warning lights lit on the dashboard if the battery (charging) light is lit, the batteries are not being charged. Ensuring that the control is out of gear, rev the engine to about 2000 revs and return it to the idle position; the light should extinguish, provided the key is set in the run position. Stopping the engine Most boats will not cut the engine by simply turning the key. Some have stop buttons on the helm and others have pull levers to stop the boat. Please ensure that you stop the engine before you turn the key to the stop position. If the boat has a pull to stop lever, it must be pushed all the way in before the engine will restart. The boat yard staff will cover this during the handover procedure. Page 15

16 Boat Handling In this section, we ll give you some guidance and hints on how to safely drive and maneuver your boat. Many of these elements will be covered during your handover procedure but there is a lot to take in during a relatively small amount of time, so please keep this skipper handbook available to refresh your memory. Please be careful Your holiday cruiser is worth many thousands of pounds weighs at least 2 tons (perhaps up to 9 tons) and requires you and your crew to treat it with the kind of care and respect that you would wish someone else to apply to your valuable property. Your damage waiver covers you for accidental damage to the vessel but does not cover any damage or loss caused by negligence. We class negligence as operating the vessel in a manner that is prohibited by signage or law, against the guidance of this skipper s manual or any Freedom boat yard staff or any person in authority. Any damage caused by negligence or any loss of deck gear is the responsibility of the Skipper / Hirer. Skipper and Crew Your boat requires a skipper and crew for you to make safe passage and mooring. On small boats, a skilled and diligent skipper can crew themselves. On a larger cruiser, having additional crewmembers to carry out tasks such as mooring up and casting off makes for safer and simpler life. Before setting out, the skipper should allocate tasks to all crew who should remember that the skipper is in sole charge of the vessel. Before you set off Plan your day s cruising and have a backup plan too, just in case you arrive late and can t get a mooring at your chosen location. If you remember nothing else, remember this; a good skipper is one who fully appreciates the limits of his knowledge and experience. Employing a how hard can it be and over-confident approach is likely to result in an accident, damage and, possibly, injury. Key points to remember Never untie the boat until the engine is running Never stop the engine until you are safely tied up With the boat still securely tied up, put the engine gently into forward gear and then gently into reverse to make sure that the gears are working properly Make sure that all gauges and instruments are reading properly and that there are no warning lights on Ensure that you have a good flow of cooling water coming out with the exhaust. Ensure that all deck gear is safely stored and that things can t blow or get knocked off. Remove the TV aerial and stow if applicable. Ensure that your crew knows what they need to do Store ropes safely on board do not allow them to trail in the river Page 16

17 Remember, you are responsible for any damage you cause to the vessel due to negligent handling. Similarities between boat and car There are some clear similarities between your boat and your car and it is important to appreciate that these may appear to be many but are actually quite limited: Your boat and your car have an engine Your boat and your car have a steering wheel That s the end of the similarities. A boat floats on liquid where there is very little friction; therefore it is easily pushed by the current, the wind and wash from other watercraft, not to mention its own momentum. Slowing Down and Stopping Your boat has no brakes. To slow down or stop, set the boat into reverse. You might only be traveling at 5mph, but it can take up to four times the length of the boat to stop, so read the river for hazards and prepare your maneuvers well in advance. Your boat is much heavier than your car (many of Freedom boats weigh at least four tons). Imagine the level of damage four tons can do in a 5mph impact; Take your time and carry out all maneuvers slowly and smoothly. A good skipper is never in a hurry. Maneuvering Your boat steers from the back. When you change direction it pivots about a point that s approximately a third of the way along the boat from the front. This is very different from a car. When maneuvering, always think of your stern and how your steering may swing the back out and whack things. Because your boat is floating, it is affected by the current, wash and wind. It will also continue to move under its own momentum. Appreciating this is one of the key factors to handling your boat and it will also help you to save fuel as you can use less power to pivot the boat just a good slug of power in a turn will get the vessel turning and then you can return the accelerator to idle and watch the boat continue to move without much power. Wait for it to slow down and then give it a little more power and then take it away again. Much of your maneuvering, especially in tighter spots, is achieved by careful bursting of the accelerator rather than prolonged and heavy thrust. Your boat will not steer in reverse. Please don t be tempted to steer your boat in reverse it won t. Pivot Point of your boat is about 1/3 from the front of the vessel when moving forward Given enough space, your boat would simply turn in a wide circle if you were to power it in reverse for long enough. Steering the wheel would simply tighten the circle or widen it. Trying to steer in reverse will simply get your rudder out of the position it needs to be in to be able to maneuver the boat effectively. Page 17

18 Maneuvering the boat Seeing as you can t steer in reverse, all positioning of the boat must be done in forward gear and to properly achieve this you need to appreciate how the boat pivots when you give it forward thrust with left or right hand down on the helm. Steering right and burst thrusting forwards pivots the front of the boat (bow) to the right and the rear (stern) to the left. Steering left and burst thrusting forwards pivots the front of the boat (bow) to the left and the rear (stern) to the right. Notice from the diagrams how different the swing is from the front to the back of the boat. The front barely moves in relation to its original position (in orange) whereas the stern is swinging considerably more. This is important in case there are any obstructions that might get impacted by the stern and is particularly important for front drive cruisers as all of the action is taking place 30 plus feet behind you. Mooring Mooring your boat is one of the times when your entire crew need to work as a team. The skipper is in charge of the boat and you need at least one person on the ropes, ready to step off and secure the boat to the bank. There are two main types of mooring to a bank: Side on Stern on Each of these requires a basic appreciation of how the boat handles and the forces that act upon it that will cause you difficulties. The key to any manoeuvre is to appreciate how the wind, current and wash from other vessels will affect you and to do everything s l o w l y and under control. Side on mooring Arguably the most common type of mooring you ll be doing. This involves controlling the boat so that you have an approximate 45 degree angle of approach. Ensuring that the boat is still in gear and with minimum revs on the engine, gently approach the bank. When you re close (about 2-3 feet) to the bank, steer away from it and the front will turn away but at the same time, the aft will swing in. Take the boat out of gear and allow the momentum to carry the boat round, bursting the engine in reverse gear to slow it down and accentuate the swing. When you re close enough, have your crew step off (don t jump) with ropes forward and aft and secure the boat. Page 18

19 Stern On A stern on mooring is trickier than a side on mooring as there s more manoeuvring and, thus, a greater chance for error or being caught by the wind or current. The basics of stern on mooring require you to remember three key points: The boat will not steer in reverse Pivot action Momentum of vessel In the diagram the boat is approaching from the left and will be mooring on the starboard bank. The skipper needs to turn to Port (left) to swing the back end of the boat around to starboard. If you re a novice or there s a lot of wind, consider having a crew member drop the mud weight in immediately before you start reversing as it will help keep the bow of the boat in position. Take the power down; position is crucial. DO NOT TURN THE WHEEL As the boat drifts around, put it into reverse gear and gently bring the boat backwards. The momentum of the turn will continue but may eventually flatten out. If it flattens out, with the wheel in the full left turn position, gently put the boat into forward gear and watch the back start to swing around again. Then put it back into reverse and repeat the procedure until you re moored. If you manage to overdo the manoeuvre and swing too far around, the rectification is simple. Turn the steering wheel to the opposite lock and apply gentle, burst forward thrust. The boat will begin to swing back in the opposite direction. Why not help others? There s a real camaraderie on the river with people often more than willing to help you moor up. Why not join in and help others? However, be careful when throwing ropes. When you re mooring up, there s often someone saying, throw us a rope. Having a rope ready to throw is important, but if it s not ready, full or knots and tangled, you can t throw it far and it may end up in the water. A wet rope is far less pleasant to handle and an inaccurate throw may end up with someone getting a wet face lashing! Also, if your rope ends up in the water after a throw, there s a good chance of it getting sucked around the propeller. If you re lucky, the rope won t get sucked around the propeller but now the rope s wet and the hapless assistant on the bank is likely to get a face full of wet rope the next time you toss it. Page 19

20 Turning the boat around Wide channel In a wide channel, it is usual for you to turn the boat around purely using the forward and reverse gears. Simply choose an appropriate place and check for the presence of obstructions, particularly other boats, posts, banks and fishing lines, etc. Slow down and turn into the right bank slightly and the swing quickly away to the left and apply acceleration which will swing the stern around to the right to begin the manoeuvre. Unless there is an adverse wind, we then recommend reducing power and allowing the boat to swing under it s own momentum, busting the power on again if you need to. In many instances, you will need to put the boat into reverse to avoid hitting the opposite bank. Only apply light acceleration and you should see the back continue to swing whilst slowing your forward travel and ultimately going astern. At no point during this turn should you turn the wheel away from full left lock. Repeat the procedure until you re travelling in to opposite direction. Narrow Channel In a more narrow section of water, so long as the boat will turn in the channel, you have more options for turning. Under power, you can turn the boat whilst holding the bow against the bank so that you pivot against the bank. This manoeuvre needs you to get a crewmember to get a rope to a post or ring on the bank and then take it back to the boat and hold on tight. This will have the effect of keeping the bow of the boat in position. Turn the steering wheel to full lock into the bank and then, gently, apply forward gear. The boat will begin to move the bow into and against the bank whilst swinging the stern out into the river. Once the boat has swung around sufficiently, have your crew member flick the rope off its bank securing point and retrieve it to safety and then reverse out into the river, making sure you have enough space to complete the turn. Then apply forward gear and you can get into channel. By hand, you can use the ropes to swing the boat around on the stern using a combination of pulling the boat and pushing it away from the bank. As soon as you can get the front rope into play (or attach a rope to the centre cleat if present) you can gain control of the boat. Page 20

21 Casting off Casting off varies according to your mooring position (side or stern on). Make sure your engine is running properly before you untie any ropes. If you have dropped the mud weight, retrieve this before trying to move off. First gauge the wind and current: If the wind and/or current are coming over the bow of the boat or pushing you off the bank, first untie the stern rope and then untie the bow rope. Then push the bow of the boat out towards the middle of the river and engage forward gear. The current/wind will help push the bow of the boat out into the stream. Don t delay though as if you wait too long to get going, you could end up being pushed along with the current rather than driving into it. If the wind and/or current are pushing across the stern of the boat or pushing you onto the bank, first untie the stern rope and stow it safely. Then untie the bow rope but leave it wrapped around the mooring post or through the eye. Now, take the rope and board the boat and sit/stand securely on the bow and hold the rope tightly. The helmsman now turns the wheel towards the bank and engages forward gear. As you re holding the front of the boat in position, it can t move much but the back of the boat will swing out into the river. Once you ve got a good angle, put the boat into reverse and get the crew member to flick the rope off the bank and retrieve it. Once in the river with sufficient space, engage forward gear and you re away. Page 21

22 Dealing with wind In general, whilst you are travelling along, the wind will have only a slight effect on most boats, tending mostly to push you off course. and will tend to cause you to drift off course. In many of the Broads rivers, this isn t a huge problem unless your attention is taken by something other than piloting the boat. However, as soon as you take the boat out of gear and the propeller stops turning, the wind can have a tremendous effect on the craft and will push it about at will. The most likely scenario for this to happen is during mooring and it s really easy to come unstuck. Here s a few tips for dealing with windy conditions. Moor with the bow of the boat pointing into the wind Moor onto the windward bank rather than a lea bank. Ensure crew are fully aware of what you re planning and are properly stationed ready to deal with it. Ensure they have lifejacket on. Maintain gentle power try to avoid taking the boat out of gear. Page 22

23 General Navigation Guide Every river user has an obligation to: Obey the speed limit Obey the rules of the river Show consideration for all other river users Not to cause obstructions Avoid collisions Port & Starboard Port is always the left hand side of the boat when looking forward to the pointy bit (bow). Starboard is always the opposite of Port. River Position You should navigate your boat on the right hand side of the river so that motor vessels travelling in the opposite direction towards you should pass on the port side (see diagram). Right of way As a powered pleasure vessel, you have limited right of way over other craft. You must give way to: Vessels under sail Commercial & passenger vessels Boats Under Tow (not including dinghies) Boats who are quanting (pushing along using a pole on the river bed) Overtaking Vessels may overtake each other so long as the manoeuvre does not cause danger to other river users and that the vessel stays within the speed limit. If you are being overtaken, ensure that you allow the manoeuvre by the other vessel(s). It is best practice to ensure that overtaking is carried out Starboard to Port. Bridges Navigating any bridge on the Norfolk Broads requires you to have sufficient space to clear the boat and anything on deck without contact. Every bridge has a marker post before to the bridge that indicates the amount of space available under the bridge. Your boat will have an indicator by the helm that shows the amount of clearance the boat requires. All such measurements are taken with all removable canopies and screens lowered. The height of a boat is always measured at it s lowest possible height because we do not want you taking risks with bridges; quite apart from potentially damaging the boat, getting stuck under a bridge could easily sink a boat on a rising tide. When navigating bridges, make sure that: All relevant canopies and screens are lowered All Crew are safely with the cabin or cockpit nobody on deck All luggage and substantial items are removed from the roof Sound Horn as passing through bridge Page 23

24 On the southern Broads, you will encounter swing bridges that carry railway traffic. Whilst all Freedom cruisers will pass these with the relevant screens and canopies down, you may find that access is restricted at times of high water or maintenance. Please refer to notices on these bridges. In general, one red flag indicates that the bridge is in service, two shows that it is not. Potter Heigham & Wroxham Bridges You are not permitted to navigate Potter Heigham or Wroxham Bridges without the aid of the Bridge Pilot. Most Freedom boats can navigate under both bridges, but not all. Potter Heigham bridge can only be passed at low tide and so your passage needs to be timed. Phone numbers for the bridge pilots can be found on page 6. You will not be charged for the Wroxham pilot service but there will be a charge made by the Potter Heigham service Navigation after dark Hire boats on the Norfolk Broads are not permitted to navigate after the hour of sunset. You have no navigational lights operable on the vessel and to travel after dark would present significant dangers to you, your crew, the vessel and other river users. Any crew found to be navigating a Freedom vessel after dark will be ejected from the vessel and reported to the relevant authorities who will seek to prosecute. Page 24

25 Navigating through marked channels You will often see posts, buoys and other markers in the water, which indicate dangers or mark navigation channels. Stay clear of these at all times. Where you have a marked channel, you are required to stay within that channel the water level outside of it is probably very shallow or littered with dangerous objects. Rope Handling Your boat will have at least three mooring lines, which are generally about ¾ the length of the boat. Take good care of these ropes and they will serve you well. However, neglect or misuse them and they present significant dangers. Do Don t Carefully coil up any rope that s not in use Tidy up stray ends out of the way once you ve moored up Allow ropes to become tangled. You may need them in an instant and a tangled rope is useless Allow ropes to become knotted A knot in a rope stops it from running freely though cleats, rings, fairleads and so on. Remove knots before they become too tight. Any knots in ropes when you return the boat will incur a charge of 1 per knot. Allow ropes to dangle in the water Even if they float, there is a significant chance of it becoming tangled in the propeller of your boat or other vessels. If this happens, your engine is likely to seize. Do not run your engine if you have anything trapped around the propeller it can cause irrevocable damage and present significant danger. Remember the power of pulleys. For every return of the rope to its origin, the amount of effort you need to pull the vessel halves. So, from boat to bank means you re pulling the full weight of the boat. From boat to bank, then to boat again and pulling from that point (the lower diagram), you require half the effort to pull the full weight of the boat. Page 25

26 Common boat handling errors. Fishtailing One of the most common boat handling errors is over steering. This results in the boat fishtailing around the river as the skipper fights to find the centreline. It s basically caused by the skipper s expectation that turning the wheel will have an immediate effect on the boat. It won t. There could be a 2/3 second delay before the boat reacts to the turn. If you re impatient, you ll have turned the wheel some more in an attempt to get it to do something and by the time it has reacted, you re way offcourse and perhaps heading for the hapless skipper coming in the opposite direction. You then panic and turn it all the way to the opposite side and so the fishtail starts. Simply slow down your actions the boat will not handle like a car. Small turns of the wheel are all that s needed in general navigation; wait for the boat to react and then decide what to do next. Keep to the Speed Limits Excess speed causes many problems for boat handling, other river users and the environment. If your wash is too powerful, you run the risk of damaging other boats, throwing them off course, causing people to fall in, damage to banks and the environment and more. Would you like a speeding boat to cause you to scold yourself with boiling water from the kettle when making the tea? Running Aground There are many markers around the Broads that indicate underwater obstructions such as submerged stakes and shallow water. Pay attention to any post or buoy in the river and keep away from them. If you have gone aground, even if you are not stuck-fast please observe the following procedures: Stop the engine you may be sucking up weed, silt and other debris into the cooling system, which can cause the engine to overheat. Open one of the floor hatches or lift the engine hatch to check that the boat is not taking on water. Use your boat hook to check around the edge of the boat to see how much water you have beneath you; is the riverbed soft or hard? If you are aground on soft mud you can try to free yourself by going into reverse and positioning crew member(s) at the bow or rocking the vessel from side to side make sure they have life jackets on. If this does not work stop trying and contact the base. If the riverbed is rocky or you detect any other hard obstacles, do not attempt anything; simply contact the boat yard. Do not ask to be towed by another boat without the advice of the boat yard. If you run aground where there are clear indicators to stay in channel or keep away, you will be charged for recovering the vessel and any damage. Page 26

27 Taking on water If the boat is taking on water, get the boat to the nearest bank and try to locate the source of ingress. Attempt to reduce the leak with towels, bedding, cloths (anything will do) and call the boat yard emergency numbers ASAP. Remember that the Bilge Pump should be in the automatic position at all times. Use cooking pots or buckets as bailers. Navigation after dark It is an unfortunate fact that there will be some crews who will navigate their hire boat after dark. This is dangerous for the vessel being used, presents a danger to the crew, other vessels and other river users in general. It is also illegal and highly irresponsible. Any Freedom customer who is observed piloting their cruiser after dark will be reported to the authorities who will seek to prosecute those responsible. Fouled Propeller If you have something trapped around your propeller, the boat is likely to handle poorly, vibrate terribly when in gear or you may simply find that the engine will not run when you put it in gear; in effect, a rope can totally seize an engine. If you suspect that you have something trapped on the propeller, you should not run your engine and should call the boat yard for assistance. Please refer to page six for our phone contact numbers. Page 27

28 Fuel Conservation Please remember that you are fully responsible for the cost of the fuel that you use. If your fuel deposit more than covers the cost of the fuel, you will receive a refund. If the deposit is insufficient to cover the cost of the fuel, you are required to make up the difference. The rising cost of fuel is beginning to make refunds less common. It s quite usual to see vessels speeding on the Broads and the effects of going too fast are many but all are negative. The faster you go: The more wash you will make which will erode banks and cause disruption to wildlife and other river users The more fuel you will burn The more chances there are of a collision remember you have no brakes. The speed limits on the rivers vary from 3mph to 6mph and your vessel will have a rev counter, which can be used as a guide to how fast the boat is moving. This will be described in during the handover of the vessel. However, consider this; most people walk at about 2.5mph and so 4mph is a brisk walking pace and 6mph is bordering on jogging speed. There are many Broads Authority rangers stationed on the rivers who will stop you, hand out warnings and, in some cases prosecute you if you are caught speeding. It won t go that fast There is a theoretical maximum speed of any Broads Hire Cruiser (partly determined by the shape of the hull) and no matter how fast you turn the propeller, the boat will not exceed this speed. In fact, the faster you run the engine beyond this limit, the more there is a strong likelihood that the boat will actually slow down due to the amount of air produced by the propeller and the drag-effect that this has on the boat. The closer you get to this theoretical speed, the more effort the engine has exert and the slower your acceleration will be. However, the engine will burn fuel like there s a hole in the tank. Here s a guide to how you might burn less fuel: Plan your journey and have a fall back position if you can t moor where you expected to. Stick to the speed limit. Don t over-rev the engine, especially during manoeuvres. It s often counter productive. Avoid travelling against the current a 1Mph current against you means you need to be pushing the boat at 5mph in order to achieve 4mph river speed. Never travel through Great Yarmouth and/or Breydon Water against the tide always with the tide or, ideally, at Slack Water. To do so will be considered negligent. Remember to lift your mud weight. Page 28

29 Daily Checks These must be completed before you start the engine for the first time each day Engine Oil Check the oil using the engine s Dip Stick. Remove it, wipe it clean replace it in the holder once more. Remove again and you will have a true reading. Top up as necessary there is a can of spare oil for this purpose. Weed Filter This protects the exhaust cooling system from being clogged by weed from the river. Remove the filter, observing any guidelines given to you during the handover procedure, clean as necessary and replace all parts. Some filters have wing nuts to secure them in place, this must be tight in order for the system to work. If you drop it, do not run the engine else serious damage could occur. In normal operation of the engine, there will be a healthy and regular gush of water from the exhaust. If this is not happening, the engine is likely to overheat. Engine Coolant With the engine cold, remove the radiator cap (or pressure vessel cap if fitted) and ensure that there is coolant visible in the tank beneath. If the water level is below the tube you can see in the tank, top up the coolant level. In summer, please use normal water. In winter, top-up from the carton of anti-freeze provided. Never open the radiator cap or other pressure cap when the engine is hot. Routine Checks and top-ups Bilge pump The bilge is considered to be all areas beneath the floor level of your boat. All boats will take on some water and the bilge pump is there to ensure that the water is ejected over the side of the boat. Bilge pump controls often have a three-way switch controlling the pump. Automatic Off Manual Ensure that the switch is always in the Automatic position and, daily, operate it manually to evacuate any water in the bilge Greasers Some parts of the engine and propulsion system have greasers that need regular attention to ensure their smooth, trouble-free operation. You will be told of any greasers that you should attend to during your handover procedure. Page 29

30 Domestic Water All the water from taps on your boat is fed from a tank. The more water you use, the less you have. As there is no guage on your boat to indicate the water level in the tank, you must fill your water tank daily to ensure that you do not run out. The unwritten rule is that you will run out of water at the most inopportune moment, probably with soap in your hair and dinner cooking, after dark and in the middle of nowhere. There will always be someone who doesn t follow our refilling advice and say, but we ve hardly used any after they ve run out and subsequently damaged the water pump. Please don t let it be you. If you run out of water, please switch the water pump off it will become damaged if you do not. You can get water at all hire boat yards and from many public moorings. A few are listed below. Ranworth Staithe, Ludham Bridge, Horning Village Staithe, Salhouse Broad, Coltishall Common, Gayes Staithe, Neatishead Staithe, Potter Heigham riverbank (close to bridge) Most water points ask that you make a small payment in an honesty box. Please don t just open your deck filler, plonk the pipe in and turn the supply on. First, run the water through the pipe until it runs clear and cold, clean the end of the pipe and when you are happy you have uncontaminated water, then place it in your deck filler. Please make sure you re filling your water tank and not your diesel tank. Water in your diesel will cost you a lot of time and you may be charged for related call-outs and engineering work to rectify the problem. Page 30

31 Winter Cruising The following covers all bookings taking place between 1 st November and 31 st March. Cruising in winter is a worthwhile pastime; with many fewer craft on the river, there s no need to rush and as it s so much quieter, the sense of peacefulness is greatly enhanced. There are more birds and other wildlife around, as they prefer a quieter life too. However, there are certain restrictions and you need to take greater precautions. Damp and cold weather will increase the dangers of the river environment so remember to bring warm clothing and sensible footwear waterproof boots are wholly recommended. Take great care on the decks of your boat and remember that wooden staging at banks and so on may be slippery. Whilst many boat yards cease to hire boats in the winter, most remain open for services such as water, fuel and pump-out so ensuring that your boat is always topped-up and ready should pose few additional problems Please limit your winter cruising to the Northern Rivers: Bure Ant Thurne You are not permitted to navigate under Wroxham Bridge without the aid of the Bridge Pilot or travel beyond Stokesby travel to Great Yarmouth and the southern rivers not allowed. Often, winter cruising means dealing with high water. Whilst current flows on the Northern Rivers are rarely strong, raised river levels mean that getting on and off your boat may be more difficult than normal and that fewer bridges are passable. In particular, there is a greatly reduced chance that you will be able to navigate under Potter Heigham and Wayford Bridges. Ice If the river has iced up or has ice floating in it, you are not permitted to navigate the boat under its own power. Ice has the potential to slice through the hull and cause tremendous damage and potentially sink the vessel; remember the Titanic? It is extremely rare for the main river to ice over but relatively common for still water to freeze. You should avoid mooring in dykes, certainly not near the head, and also certain broads, Ranworth is particularly noted for freezing. If you are concerned, telephone the boatyard for advice. Page 31

32 Boatyard Moorings This logo means that the boatyard where it is displayed is a member of the Broads hire operators trade association, affiliated to the British Marine Federation, and operating in accordance with the nationally approved Code for the Design, Construction and Operation of Hire Boats The following members, operating holiday cruisers or yachts, offer free moorings for visiting member s boats, but always subject to availability. Aclems BRIDGECRAFT HORIZON CRAFT Brundall SILVERLINE MARINE SWANCRAFT CRUISERS Hickling WHISPERING REEDS Horning FERRY MARINA FREEDOM CRUISERS LE BOAT NORFOLK BROADS YACHTING CO. Loddon MAFFET CRUISERS PACIFIC CRUISERS Ludham (Womack) DRL MARINE SERVICES Oulton Broad TOPCRAFT CRUISERS Potter Heigham HERBERT WOODS Reedham SANDERSON MARINE CRAFT Stalham MOONFLEET MARINE RICHARDSONS Upton EASTWOOD WHELPTON (no Pump-outs) Wroxham & Hoveton BARNES BRINKCRAFT FAIRCRAFT LOYNES LE BOAT ROYALLS BOATYARD SUMMMERCRAFT Water is available (normally with a small charge to contribute to costs); toilet pump-out service is available at preferential rates; gas bottle exchanges are usually available free of charge to the hirer by arrangement with the home base; and diesel fuel can be supplied in the unlikely event that you need to refill the tank during your cruise. Page 32