Haven't seen any public admission yet, Peter. Perhaps it isn't a public consultation.

Whatever it is, all that remains is to examine the Broads Authority and try to cure its illnesses - in the sound belief that the patient has no will to cure itself. Not even holistically. Let alone sustainably.

So BA, step into my Best-Practice and close the door behind you. Take off your... no no, don't. I'll examine you through your cloak of opacity.


"Our Solicitor is also being consulted on the precise wording of the conditions and the guidelines."

This accompanied the published drafts. Publish first, consult solicitor second. Eh?

My presumption is that the Authority's draft documents did not pass over the solicitor's desk prior to publication, nor the MCA's draft documents prior to the BA response to their earlier consultation. But in reality it wouldn't have been a solicitor's job to identify the definitions problem, there's no reason why the lawyer should be fully conversant with local boating activities any more than he should be an expert angler or butterfly netter. The lawyer's job would be to ensure that it is effective in law, which it probably would have been - rather more effective than was desired in some respects.

It's a demonstration of the glaring need to incorporate better first-hand knowledge in the Authority's processes, isn't it?

OK, so the BA's Safety & Strategy Officer is a Broads sailor and a responsible officer of a Broads sailing club. But he's just one man like any other, with the same capability to miss a detail or two when working to deadlines. Don't forget that the MAIB conclusions to the Breakaway V tragedy directed a 24-month period for incorporation of the licensing measures, a period long passed while waiting for the MCA code.

Perhaps the error was to hurry too much, cutting the necessary consideration corners. Anyone can make mistakes, it's a perfectly human flaw. Pobody's nerfect. The ability to confess openly while introducing effective measures to prevent recurrence are admirable qualities. Maybe we'll get to admire them just a little?

Take a deep breath and hold it.

You might think I'm being excessively defensive of the BA. No I'm not, but I would express sympathy for a whipping boy if he had to take the lash for a procedural flaw. I believe the BA has demonstrated that it is an incompetent and unfit body in many areas including the scripting of rules and regulations. It needs to take a long hard look at itself and conclude that it must learn to invite the advice of those around it. For heck's sake, it does have a Navigation Committee.

The BA may view the current public buzz to be wholly or partly destructive, but I suggest it could provide an opportunity for the generation of a degree of respect for the way in which the Authority handles the situation.

I'm watching and waiting, but not expecting too much.

... hold it....