Quick action raising sunken boat

IT WAS quick action by River Canal Rescue (RCR) raising a sunken narrowboat that had its rudder trapped in Thurlwood Lock gates at Rode Heath on Heartbreak Hill on the Trent & Mersey Canal that enabled the canal to be quickly re-opened.

Luckily Canal & River Trust called out River Canal Rescue (RCR), and though the call was logged late afternoon on the 11th June, by 9am the following day its engineers were on the case and the boat raised by noon and the waterway open again.

Reputation

The company is getting quite a reputation for raising sunken boats, that was borne out last November, when contractors had Bath Flight on the Kennet & Avon closed for two weeks attempting to raise a sunken boat, when the exasperated Canal & River Trust people called in RCR whose engineers had the boat out in two hours!

Of the one sunk at Rode Heath, pictured, RCR Managing Director Stephanie Horton explains:

"While in the filling lock, a boater realised his rudder was stuck in the lock gates. By the time he got his friend's attention, who was operating the lock, it had filled and completely submerged the 55ft narrowboat. Canal & River Trust's decision to close the lock and manage public access was greatly appreciated; it ensured the area was secure and safe for us to work. As the boater is an engineer, he was able to sort out his engine and remedial internal work.

"This is a classic example of our ethos in action which is to get boaters moving as soon as possible with minimum disruption and cost and to keep the navigation clear, reducing the likelihood of further incidents."