Unchecked canal boats sinking during lockdown

One of the main reasons for rescue call outs during lockdown has been canal boats sinking due to water ingress caused by blocked drainage holes, badly-worn deck boards and leaking stern glands. River Canal Rescue is urging boaters to check their vessels as soon as possible.

RCR managing director, Stephanie Horton, makes these recommendations;

Engine bays are typically covered by marine-ply deck boards, supported by a C-shaped steel channel with drain holes to collect any seeping rainwater. If the drain holes are blocked by debris, leaves and dirt etc, water flows over the channel sides into the engine bay. Over time, the wooden deck boards decay, creating a wider gap between them, and so the downward spiral continues; more debris falls into the channel holes and more water flows into the engine bay. Prevent this by replacing worn deck boards and periodically clearing drainage holes.

If a stern gland leaks when the vessel is stationary, you need to pump in grease or adjust the collar. The collar of rubber or brass forms a barrier where the propeller shaft exits the hull, and must be well-greased with tight packing to prevent excess water leaking. The grease should act as a seal while not in use and you compress the packing by adjusting the nut on the stern tube. If greasing and tightening the adjust bolts fails to slow the leak, this usually indicates that the packing needs replacing. Address this fast; a quick build-up of water will cause the vessel to sink (even if you have a bilge pump, it will soon be overwhelmed).

When the propeller shaft is turning, a stern gland should leak a few drops a minute – it’s difficult to give guidance on the exact amount as this is dependent on the gland’s age and type. However, water must circulate through the stern gland to keep it cool as the shaft turns. So if you’re unsure what adjustment to make, check the temperature of the stern gland; if it’s too hot, the packing’s too tight.

Water spilling into the engine bay will cause the vessel to sit lower in the water, which in turn puts shower, sink or air outlets nearer to the water level, often with devastating results. It’s a particular risk in busy areas, where passing boats cause a wave or with air-cooled engines, where vents are positioned on the side of the hull.

Water ingress not only increases the risk of sinking; once water seeps into the engine area it can damage electrical components such as alternators and starters. When the engine’s running, any standing water will be thrown over these components, which if left for a long period of time, can rust, affecting their operation.

A build-up of water in the bilges will eventually leach into the gearbox (it doesn’t have to cover it), and enter through its seals, contaminating the oil. If not flushed out, it will eventually result in gearbox failure. To see if water has got this far, check your dip stick; if there’s a creamy residue in the oil, it’s a clear indication it has and you’ll need to flush out before use.

Water ingress should not be a problem if you have a bilge pump. If possible invest in an automatic one as it’s more reliable than a manual. Once left on the ‘automatic’ setting, its float switch dictates when it should pump, ensuring an immediate response to water ingress. And should a leak develop from elsewhere, such as the cooling system or hull, it will keep your vessel safe.

While a bilge pump (automatic or manual) gives you extra peace of mind, it’s only effective if it has a battery or electric power supply. During lockdown, you may have been unable to check battery charge levels or your shore supply, so this is another reason to visit your boat now.

Covid regulations do allow for travel to your boat for emergency checks and from March 29th visits for general maintenance may be allowed.

If you have a bilge pump, you should also have a bilge filter. This stops your boat pumping pollutants into the waterways and ensures you’re following Boat Safety Scheme recommendations. RCR’s filter, Bilgeaway, is the world’s first truly environmentally-friendly bilge discharge filter. It extracts contaminants from bilge water, renders them non-reactive and leaves the contents in a cartridge which can be disposed of and the housing re-used. Find out more at www.bilgeaway.co.uk.

Thanks to Stephanie Horton at River Canal Rescue for this report and images.