River Lea safety log reports

Location of incident

Just to the West of the Nazeing New Road Bridge on the River Lea in Broxbourne.

Incident type

Damage or Near Miss / Undesired Circumstances (No Injury or Health Issues)

Brief description of the incident

Two boats were travelling in opposite directions around a blind bend. Both steers failed to look at the right moment the 4X having been pushed into the centre of the river by an illegally moored narrowboat. One boat was performing a single stroke drill and the other at medium pressure. The boats collided with some force breaking one the bow steers stroke side blade in half. Both steers were at fault by failing to check frequently enough at a point where visibility is limited because of the bend. The presence of the illegally moored narrow boat, in contravention of the restrictions outlined on the Canals and Rivers Trust was a contributing factor to the incident.

Measures taken

Both steers will take more care as a result of the unsettling incident. The incident will also be reported to Canal & Rivers Trust with a recommendation to improve signage and awareness and take better enforcement measures in the future.

Location

Approximately 100m south of Broxbourne Rowing Club, 50m north of the bend.

Canal

Lee Navigation Incident Description: A collision between two rowing boats in water constricted by the mooring of a wide beam barge in contravention of the Water Safety Zone regulations. Date: 2025-05-19 Injury

Details

Trauma cuts and bruises. Muscular trauma. Damage Details: Damage to boat.

Location

United Kingdom

Canal

River Stort Incident

Description

Person 'X' was participating in the Bishops Stortford Hasler Marathon race, Division 4 K1. He became dizzy during one of the portages. Fainted and hit the right side of his head on the step. Recovered consciousness, retired from race, & returned slowly to the Bishops Stortford Canoe Club clubhouse from which the race was being organised. The paddler was spoken to on his return journey by a marshal at Twyford Lock - he appeared able to continue. On arrival of the clubhouse he was seen by the designated first aider (a professional nurse). She reported that he was still dizzy and light-headed. Ice pack given. Looked dehydrated - given water and Lucozade. Parents contacted and head injury advice given. Tepid shower taken.

Incident Description

CASE:1506000] CASE:1505080. Illegal Mooring A single sculler was on a training session on the water with me, as coach. I was coaching from the deck of BRC. The water conditions and weather were clear and fair. The single sculler was rowing downstream, in the navigation pattern, as instructed, when a change of wind direction moved the single scull towards the Broad barge, moored opposite the deck inside the designated BRC Safety Zone, effectively pinning the sculling boat against the stern of the barge and bankside boarding. The wind and the stream held the boat and rower there for 8 minutes before the wind abated enough for the sculler to back out into clear water again. No injury was sustained by the rower, and no damage to BRC equipment. No damage to the barge was noted by the rower. No occupant(s) on board at the time of the incident to confirm this observation. The broad barge in question, as recorded on the visuals at the time of the incident, is called xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Location

River Lea about 500 meters away from the Lee Valley Boat Centre Old Nazeing Rd, Broxbourne EN10 6LX Incident Description: At about 9.45am a pleasure barge had poor navigation on the river Lea. The barge drifted across the river away from the navigation side. The barge ended up horizontal across the river and forced 4 single skullers into the river bank of reeds and brambles etc. The barge had little concern for the skullers and needed a pole to manoeuvre away from them. The skullers are members of Broxbourne Rowing Club and I was the responsible adult on the bank. The skullers were wearing high vis tee shirts. The incident has been reported to British Rowing and I spoke with the boating centre.