Two canal boats sunk in locks were raised and another boat was narrowly stopped from sinking within a 24 hour period recently.
The pre-authorisation agreement between River Canal Rescue and the Canal & River Trust was first put to the test on the 25th of April when one RCR rescue team attended 46 foot narrowboat ‘ Mitch’ on the Grand Union at Watford after holes in the hull caused it to start taking on water whilst on tow. Quick action by the engineers prevented the vessel actually sinking.
Later that day a report came in that the front of 60 foot narrowboat ’Griffin’ had got caught on the cill and sunk in Lock 62 on the Grand Union Canal (right). A separate team were deployed and secured the boat and prepared the site, but due to failing light they opted to return the following morning. By 12pm the next day the boat was refloated and lock cleared.
As the team were heading home, another callout on the Kennet & Avon at Bridge 105, Cadley lock; a hire boat had been caught in the lock and completely sunk. The team were diverted and on site within hours of the sinking, and three hours later the boat was refloated and lock cleared.
Three rescues in less than 24hrs with little disruption to other waterways users – all completed with minimal delay and health & safety requirements being met.
Pre-authorisation enables RCR to get straight to rescues without having to complete paperwork for each job or wait for approval from CRT. Managing director, Stephanie Horton, comments: “We can work on the inland waterways quickly, efficiently and safely, keeping the waterways open and minimising disruption to other boaters and damage to vessels when they mishap.”
To find out more about River Canal Rescue visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk or call 01785 785680.
