Safety on the Norfolk Broads
Stay safe on the Norfolk Broads by following the advice below:
Wear a life jacket
Life jackets should be worn by everyone whilst on deck, even by those who can swim. The water is very cold throughout the year and even strong swimmers can get into difficulty very quickly.
Watch your speed
Speed limits on the broads are set to reduce boat wash. This in turn reduces the erosion of the banks, lessening the disturbance to water-level, nesting birds and people on moored boats. The speed limit set ranges from 3-6 mph, but even if you are travelling under the stated limit, you may still be fined if you are creating excess wash.
Mooring up and casting off
The majority of injuries occur when people jump on and off the boat. Mooring up and casting off are probably the most difficult things you have to do when handling a boat, but with good preparation and some practice you should soon master it. Always make sure that this job is given to the fittest adult and not a child and make sure they are wearing a life-jacket. A mooring should always be approached against the tide and sideways on.
Watch your crew
Make sure you know where your crew are at all times. It is so easy to lose someone overboard, especially a child, without anyone noticing. It only takes a split second.
Do not drink
Having an alcoholic drink whilst relaxing on the broads is, for many people, all part of a boating holiday. It is strongly recommended that the helmsman does not drink until the boat is moored up for the night. The waterways can sometimes get quite congested and a clear head is required.
No swimming
Swimming in the broads and rivers can be very dangerous. Whilst the water may look very appealing, especially on a hot day, it is always very cold and cold shock can kill. There are also a lot of underwater hazards such as weed, fast currents and naturally occurring poisonous blue-green algae. The other danger is that you are virtually invisible to other boaters with only your head above water.
Be careful when approaching bridges
Always take down your canopy and get everybody off deck before approaching a bridge. Make sure you are aware of the height of your cruiser and check this against the gauge board on the bridge to make sure you have clearance. It is essential that in the event of a strong current the boat is fully under control before approaching a bridge. Look out for other boats coming through; generally the boat travelling with the current has right of way. Lastly, do not raise your head until you are sure you are well clear of the bridge.
The finest holiday cottages & self-catering accommodation in Norfolk.
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Beach Retreat (B)
Brancaster, Norfolk
A traditional family home in a stellar location, Beach Retreat is one of but a few houses on Broad Lane, allowing guests the option of a 15 minute walk straight onto Brancaster Beach. Superbly convenient for families and groups that are looking to explore the North Norfolk coastal path.
Ludham Hall Cottage
Ludham, Norfolk
For wildlife and countryside lovers, this delightful cottage adjoins Ludham Hall in the Norfolk Broads National Park, and enjoys stunning views over grazing marshes towards the billowing sails of the river boats as they make their way along the River Ant.
Inglenook
Saxthorpe, Norfolk
Located quietly and tucked away in the village of Saxthorpe, Inglenook, a semi-detached cottage dating back in parts to the 17th Century, takes its name from the heart of the property, a beautiful, cosy and welcoming Inglenook fireplace. This bolthole is luxurious, yet laid-back, and is ideal for families and groups of friends who are looking for a peaceful, relaxing escape. A perfect place to stay all year round, it's stylish, sophisticated and bursting with character.
Day Boat Hire on the Norfolk Broads
Considered the UK’s largest and finest wetland landscape, the Norfolk Broads have been a popular destination to hire boats for many decades. These waterways offer open spaces, spectacular scenery, peace and tranquillity and are full to the brim with stunning Norfolk wildlife.
The Norfolk Wildlife Trust - Wildlife Conservation in Norfolk
The Norfolk Wildlife Trust is the oldest Wildlife Trust in the country and aims to provide hands-on, learning experiences to develop knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the natural world. 400 acres of marshland at Cley, on the north Norfolk coast, was purchased in 1926 to be held ‘in perpetuity as a bird breeding sanctuary’. This has provided a blueprint for nature conservation which has since been replicated the length and breadth of the UK.
The Marsh Harrier is a Norfolk Success Story
The marsh harrier is the largest of the harriers and is recognisable by its long tail and light flight with wings held in a shallow ’V’ formation. Females are larger than the males and have distinctive golden-yellow crowns and throat and chocolate-brown feathers. Males are lighter in colour and have a brown back, pale neck and head, gingery belly and long grey wings with black tips. In recent years the marsh harrier population has increased, and in Norfolk, it is not unusual to see this beautiful bird in flight.
Spotting the elusive Bittern in Norfolk
The bittern is one of the rarest breeding birds in the UK, it is very well camouflaged and spends all year round in Norfolk, making its home in reedbeds on the Norfolk Broads. The male has a very distinctive booming call, that it uses to attract a mate, and this can be heard up to 2km away between March and June.
See the Swallowtail Butterfly in Norfolk
The Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilio Machaon Britannicus is a large, strong and colourful butterfly that forms part of the Papilionidae family. The largest native UK butterfly, with a wingspan of up to 9cm, it is also one of the rarest. The Swallowtail Butterfly has very distinctive yellow and black markings and if you are lucky enough to spot one in flight, it’s a beautiful sight to behold.
Useful links
http://www.visitthebroads.co.uk/
Broads National Park, The official visitor website for the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads
http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/
The Broads National Park with its scenic waterways, rare wildlife and rich history is looked after by The Broads Authority, keeping it special for visitors and its community
