NSPCB

February 13, 2025

You don’t recognize it – hardly surprising I suppose because I only just made it up. It’s going to be the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Boats.

Much as I enjoy a day at the seaside or out on he river, the condition into which some old boats are allowed to remain really disturbs me. Even some of the craft moored on the Norfolk Broads look semi derelict and so many coastal vessels are totally uncared for. I know in the latter case the effect of salt water can speed up the deterioration of a boat, but ports estuaries and berthed ships often appear rusty and uncared for.

Photographers hang your heads – you seem to glory in and exacerbate the matter. You go hunting for and publicising “spectacular wrecks.”

You photograph them from all sorts of angles and pretend that the effect is “picturesque,” then the tell your friends who also want to shoot the same picture! I’d ban them from searching for them!

I think it is time that all this madness was brought under control. Ships should be allowed the sort of dignity which is encouraged for elderly people, horses and vintage cars. Harbourmasters and boat yards should be fined when they permit neglect in their sacred areas and owners should be arrested and secured to the mast or be keel hauled if they fail to maintain their charges.

Never mind old boats – Ill stick up for you and will compile a list of sympathetic patrons of this great new society, who will regenerate and refurbish your damaged parts! What a crusade!