The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads host a significant industry based on recreational use of the water.
It is also an environmentally sensitive area and there is a need to explore ways in which the boatbuilding and boathire industry can develop to ensure the sustainability of both the industry and the environment.
The ABA Training Awards have been running now for five years and are well
established as the major award in the industry in our region. Past
finalists have gone on to take honours in the national apprentice award
scheme run by the British Marine Federation. Our award scheme along with
the college course has been a major influence in seeing an increase in young
persons, male and female, entering the industry.
Todays' industry has many "old hands" who are rightly coming up to enjoy
their retirement. It is therefore essential that we must all embrace
training and make the youngsters of today the skilled craftsmen (and women)
of tomorrow.
Investigation into environmental benefits of burning biodiesel in diesel engines
Forty holiday motor cruisers from eight boatyards will be trialling bio-diesel as part of a major, two-year project by the Broads Hire Boat Federation. Three boatyards have already started using the fuel, with a total of nine of their craft using 100% biodiesel. Similar “control” boats will be part of the tests, using normal diesel fuel, for performance comparison research. The biodiesel is manufactured by Global Commodities of Dereham from recycled vegetable oils, making it very valuable in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Document: Scientific Report Acrobat Reader: biodtrial3.pdf ()
Document: Press Release Acrobat Reader: prelbio2.pdf ()
