Exploring Jena

She's got a bit of a Heidelberg-style duelling scar!

Jena is the 12' x 60' widebeam the CRT use for meetings, events and volunteer support.

She's also the first CRT boat I ever took the helm of, way back last year, and together we've seen a lot of London's waterways, from Ricky in the West to Ware and Bishops Stortford in the East. I've become intimately acquainted with her systems and her *ahem* little quirks.

Plated for 10 people, in sheltered waters only, crew included.

Today, while we were taking her from Three Mills to Limehouse and then to Ben Johnson's Lock and back, for the first time I read her manual. It's a bit out of date - she's been remodelled internally a couple of times since it was written and some of her features are no longer 'as-specced'. I'm going to take it on myself to have a go at re-writing that manual, as on Monday I have to be part of leading a familiarisation course for CRT crew who are new to her.

I found a few things in the manual I wasn't familiar with - like the location of the forward well-deck bilge pumps, the non-functional black water tank gauge, and the remnants of the (also-non functional) wheelchair lift. I also took the time to measure up for an inspection portal in the galley (for the inverter), a new front-door lock, and to apply new hazard tape to the access ramp.

But today we were using her as a support base for young volunteers with the V-Inspire Eco Talent program. It wasn't our best day, as the grismal weather had deterred many of our volunteers from turning up. But those that did got a lot of value out of the day.

Commercial Road Lock, looking back into Limehouse Basin.

At the same time I managed to check in with my manager and a few other influential CRT people about current goings-on in London waters. And that's always useful.

1 day 6 hours.