No brakes on boat trailers could be breaking the law
HUNDREDS of people are having difficulties getting their boats moved after it emerged that some hauliers might not be complying with the law.
The situation came to light after one boat haulier made a complaint against another.
When police and the Environment Department examined the law, it became apparent that some hauliers may be breaching technical requirements. Trailers do not require brakes if their laden weight is below 750kg, but boat trailers must have brakes if the unladen weight is above this limit (three-quarters of a tonne).
Agricultural tractors can tow trailers of up to four tonnes laden (without brakes).
Boat Exchange owner Dave Sebire, 52, has been towing boats for 14 years. He would expect to tow nearly 150 boats between now and the end of May but he is having to turn away work after he received a letter from the Environment Department outlining his obligations under the law.
'I have a tractor licence but I can't use my tractor because I'm not a farmer,' he said. 'It seems illogical to me that a 17-year-old farmer with a provisional driving licence can tow loads of up to 10 tonnes around the island while experienced boat hauliers like myself can't.'
