Red Diesel

Well as November 1st looms ever closer and the world as we know it for us narrow boaters changes forever I thought it would be worth putting the official word on Red Diesel pricing!

The final announcement on red diesel has been greeted with confusion from some boaters but the authorities are hoping owners will act responsibly to ensure the new system runs without hitches.

The system requires private boat owners to declare, every time they fill up, what percentage of fuel they will be using for propulsion and what for domestic purposes, such as heating. The retailer will calculate the duty according to each declaration. The system is clearly open to abuse but confirming the new rules at the PSP Southampton Boat Show the British Marine Federation (BMF), RYA (Royal Yachting Association) and Inland Waterways Association (IWA) warned HM Customs & Excise do have powers of investigation if they hear of dubious claims. The authorities also said the system might be tweaked after the first few months if necessary.

The new system comes into being on 1 November 2008, after the European Commission decided last year that private leisure boaters in the UK could no longer use low-duty diesel. Ironically, since that decision was made, the price of waterside diesel has rocketed at many marinas to a point where the new full-duty prices will be barely noticeable for some. However the change in price could force some owners to seriously restrict or change their boating habits, as a litre of red diesel for propulsion purposes will now cost at least the same as a a litre of roadside diesel. Red diesel for non-propulsion purposes will be sold at the current lower-duty rate.

The statement released by the BMF, RYA and IWA reads as follows.

"Following extensive cooperation with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), private pleasure craft owners will be able to continue to use red diesel for propulsion use, but at a modified duty rate. Red diesel at a rebated rate will still be available for domestic purposes, such as heating and lighting. Recreational boaters will declare the percentage of fuel to be used for propulsion and domestic use respectively. HMRC have provided advice on calculating this percentage spilt which includes the following: 'It is for the purchaser to declare the percentage of fuel used for propulsion. However, analysis by both the industry and HMRC suggests that a split of 60% for propulsion and 40% for domestic use (heating, cooking etc) probably reflects most people's use and it is therefore likely that many users will declare such an apportionment. 'Registered Dealers in Controlled Oils (RCDO) will need to account to HMRC for any additional duty they receive from recreational boaters. RCDOs already owe a general duty of care to ensure that they only make supplies of controlled oil for legitimate uses. Howard Pridding, Executive Director of the BMF said: "While no-one is going to pretend that the duty increase on red diesel is a good thing, we are pleased that HMRC has provided a simple and user friendly framework for suppliers and boaters. Availability was a key concern so we are particularly pleased that recreational craft users and fuel suppliers can continue to use red diesel. "HMRC has listened to the concerns of industry and boaters and has produced a manageable solution to an unwelcome but unavoidable change in the law." Gus Lewis, Legal and Government Affairs Manager at the RYA added: "The UK Government and HMRC have consistently supported us on the red diesel issue, including seeking (albeit unsuccessfully) an extension of the UK's derogation for the use of red diesel that expired on 31 December 2006. "We hope the framework will reduce disruption for boaters and suppliers and help mitigate the impact of the change in duty."

Well there is is! We shall see as the months progress how the new system pans out.

Autumn Arrives!

Well after our mini India Summer the Autumn finally arrives with it's usually wet and windy blast!

I'm a great believer in 'sods' law so it was no surprise to us when one week into the need for warmth our Mikuni central heating unit did it's usually dieing act. I'm close to giving up on the useless piece of **** and it now sits stripped out on the engine room floor. Having only purchased the thing slightly over 2 years ago for just over £1,000 and fitting it myself it's been nothing short of a complete waste of money. Especially since we've now spent over another £400 in the last 6 months on a burnt out control box and numerous glow plugs! I really don't know what to do with it next. The plan now is to take it down to Justin at Braunston, who although a Mikuni specialist, will tell you quite openly that their a load of crap anyway! Once fully serviced, again, I intend running the damn thing directly from a jerry can on white diesel. This will at least dispel or prove the theory that their just as crap on red or white!! Mikuni will always argue that they should only run on white diesel despite selling hundreds to us poor unsuspecting narrowboat owners. I use the usual ongoing argument that I have 2 friends who both run their units on red and have no problems whatsoever, one of those also uses the same diesel supplier as me. Good job I fully serviced our Kabola fire during the summer or we really would be up the creek without a paddle this coming winter.
On a more astonishing note Dee surprised us all by declaring that she now wanted to get herself back behind the wheel! Having passed her driving test some 10 years ago she has never driven since or even expressed an interest in owning her own car. I can feel a Quidditch banking crisis of it's own looming. Not withstanding, off we went in search of a car, the plan being for something small & economical! As luck would have it we found just the thing in the shape of a Deawoo Matiz (pictured above) a cute little car with a 3 cylinder 1 litre engine, air conditioning and one of those things that bleep just before you reverse into the car behind! Very handy. The only thing I can't believe is even though it's a tiny engine the road tax still sets you back £135!
Well for me the season is almost over for my 'Saturday Job'. Since July I've been working for the marina and Black Prince Holidays looking after the customers on show around and tutoring those who've never been at the helm of a narrowboat before. It gives me the opportunity to have some input regarding the behaviour of a minority of holidaymakers we've witnessed using our waterways. Speeding, environment, courtesy and so forth. I've enjoyed it, not the very least for some of the antics of the workforce either! enough said.
Well in general the marina is starting to fill slowly with winter moorers however, it's still only around 2/3rd's full, mainly I think due to the price hike last year by the new owners, a decision which in my opinion has damaged the marina's reputation. It'll be interesting to see what happens to Ventnor Marina now the same consortium has purchased it.
For Dee and I it still is the best marina around for the outlook, wildlife and accessibility to the local area, not to mention the 3 options being on a canal junction provides, Braunston, Oxford or Warwick. In fairness things have settled quite nicely down here now with our new manager Brian settled in. We even had a barbeque this year paid for entirely by the management. Quess who was chef?