A fault on a sluice gate at Twerton recently left dozens of grounded boats along a stretch of the River Avon in Bath, some ‘listing at crazy angles’ with their owners aboard.
Emergency services were called at around 6.45pm on the evening of Tuesday 15th September to reports of the water level in the river dropping, causing some boats to tip over on the river bed. The water level had dropped by around 1.8m between 5pm and 6.30pm leaving an almost empty channel.
The Environment Agency issued a statement saying: “The Environment Agency sluice gate at Twerton, Bath suffered a mechanical fault last evening. This has resulted in a drop to the river levels along the River Avon and Kennet and Avon canal and we are aware of a number of boats impacted. This has resulted in a drop to the river levels along the River Avon and Kennet and Avon canal and we are aware of a number of boats impacted.”
There was a similar failure in October 2019, which also left a number of boats stranded on the bed of the river.
Following the failure River Canal Rescue has performed a logistical miracle, pulling teams and equipment together, at short notice, to recover 47 boats.
Managing director, Stephanie Horton, reports three boats, moored near steep banks between two weirs, have sunk and six are at risk of sinking. The remainder are stranded due to parts of the river completely drying up.
“One of our members alerted us to the situation midday Wednesday, and then the CRT asked us to manage the whole recovery process. Given the number of craft at risk, we pulled in engineers from around the country, re-juggled their priorities and started amassing extra equipment,” explains Stephanie.
Despite supply issues created by the Covid climate, RCR met its deadline of Thursday to source and have all equipment on site and prepared for recoveries from 6am Friday. Additional items, to find in less than 12 hours, included: 20 bilge pumps and batteries, six Tirfor lifting and pulling machines, 100 metres of rope and 60 metres of hose. RCR’s senior management team was also onsite on Thursday to assess the situation, undertake risk assessments and bring all stakeholders together, to outline their next steps and provide reassurance that every boat will be recovered.
Engineers and office staff arrived at 6am Friday and by 8.30am the first sunken boat was raised. Number two followed by 10.30 and the third, it is hoped will be raised in the afternoon. Stephanie continues: Vessels in a perilous position are our next priority and we are confident that by Sunday, every grounded boat will be up and floating again.
The Environment Agency has agreed to cover the costs incurred by those affected by the incident.
Thanks to RCR for part of this post and photos.