Hello, we seem to have a serious weed problem in our canals!
What a truly bizarre spectacle this is. It seems that climate change is causing excessive weed growth in UK canals. The poor guy in the boat (pictured above) seems to have been almost swallowed whole by the green stuff which is clearly out of control. Here’s the story.
Every year the Canal & River Trust removes over 2,500 tonnes of invasive weed, at a cost of more than £1 million. The charity’s teams are already preparing for action, readying the fleet of boats that will scoop weed from the water before it can spread further. Over the summer, they will be out every day fighting the spread of the invasive weed.
Julie Sharman, chief operating officer at the Canal & River Trust, said: “The changing climate is making our role to protect our canals even more complex, with hotter, wetter conditions supercharging weed growth. Our colleagues and volunteers are already preparing for the relentless task of clearing it. Without their urgent action – and without proper investment – Britain’s historic canals risk being overwhelmed.”
While the most common way to remove large quantities of aquatic weed is by ‘weed harvesting’ boats, in some areas the Trust’s ecologists are introducing a very special weevil to help eradicate floating pennywort and water fern. These plant-munchers effectively reduced vast quantities in a matter of weeks, offering a natural alternative to chemical sprays and mechanical removal. Hand-removal of floating pennywort is also very effective, and there are plenty of opportunities for volunteers to get involved.
Canadian court approves class action boat suit
Well, this is a bizarre yet intriguing story. Over the years, I have been involved in some high-profile national promotions, one or two of which went slightly awry; but nothing on this scale!
The story reveals that half a million Canadians were informed they had won a C$64,000 boat.
Now a Quebec court has ruled that a class action suit against Canadian coffee and donut chain Tim Hortons will be allowed to proceed after the firm erroneously told an estimated 500,000 consumers they had won a new boat as part of its annual Roll Up 2 Win sales promotion.
According to Montreal-based law firm LPC Avocats, the people involved received an email in April 2024 confirming they had won a Tracker Targa boat, motor and trailer package valued at C$64,000. The chain later sent further communication stating the emails were sent out in error, and that no prizes would be awarded.
LPC Avocats says those individuals who were declared winners should be awarded the prize package as originally announced plus damages, since Quebec’s consumer protection laws hold merchants responsible for errors in advertising promotions. Canadian Superior Court Justice Donald Bisson agreed in a ruling last week that upheld the class action claim, allowing the action to move forward.
Ouch, that sounds expensive!
50 years of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
In these troubled and turbulent times, in which we live, this is a landmark anniversary that is worth celebrating. I have never been lucky enough to visit Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, but I salute their 50th anniversary.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is widely recognised as a global benchmark in the conservation of marine ecosystems, and Reef lovers from across Australia and beyond have celebrated five decades of its protection.
It is 50 years since the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (the Act) was granted royal assent, signing into the law the creation of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The watershed legislation was also the genesis of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority as the world’s first statutory body dedicated to the protection and management of a coral reef system, in partnership with the Queensland Government.
Reef Authority CEO, Josh Thomas, said, “While the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is famous the world over for its complex biodiversity and stunning natural environments, the origins of its designation as a Marine Park are not as well known.
“The legislation to designate the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was developed following a nationwide campaign to protect the Reef from proposed oil and gas exploration, and coral harvesting for agricultural lime,” Mr Thomas said.
The OSCAR Dragon Boat Race 2025 opens for registration
This is a story of extraordinary people doing extraordinary things in the name of a good cause. I must admit I had not heard of the OSCAR Dragon Boat Race, which returnes this September. This year marks a major milestone as the organisers celebrate the event’s 10-year anniversary. The Dragon Boat Race has become an essential part of the maritime calendar, according to Maritime London CEO, Jos Standerwick. Every September, 500 shipping people gather in London to network, have fun and raise money for seriously ill children.
Registration is now open, and in a very short time, an incredible 16 teams have already signed up. This follows a record-breaking 2024 event, which saw 30 teams raise an astonishing £750,000 – the highest fundraising total in the event’s history. With that achievement, the OSCAR Dragon Boat Race has now raised over £2.5 million since its inception. What a great cause this is, and the sums of money raised are eyewatering.
2025 King’s Birthday Honours include several UK boating figures
It always gives me a warm feeling when I read about fellow maritime professionals being recognised for their exceptional service to our sector. And the recently announced King’s Birthday Honours included some well deserving figures, including one from Australia.
The Ocean Youth Trust South CEO receives an MBE and MIA president Andrew Chapman is made a Member of the Order of Australia.
Mark Todd, CEO of Ocean Youth Trust South, received an MBE for services to sailing and young people. Todd has held this position since 2010. He is also the chair of the Association of Sail Training Organisations, an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor, a Yachtmaster examiner, and a member of the Yachtmaster qualifications panel.
“It feels very special to have been awarded an MBE for my work in sail training. I am passionate about the power of sail training to make a lasting positive difference to young people, and I hope to use this award to bring wider recognition to the industry,” says Todd.
MIA President, Andrew Chapman, a Certified Marine Manager (CMM), was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of his significant service to youth and the marina industries. He has served as a director of the Marina Industries Association (MIA) since 2005. Under his leadership, the MIA has become an international industry body representing over 340 corporate members, including 291 marina and boatyard businesses across Australia.
“I was very surprised and humbled by the news of the award but immensely proud of what I have been part of over the many years of my involvement in the industry and the MIA,” Chapman says.