Ex assault craft as trip boat

THE trip boat being used on the Driffield Canal is one of a kind—an ex assault craft used in the Falklands conflict.

It is one of only a few of these craft that have survived, it being purchased by enthusiasts John Turton and John Scholey at a surplus Ministry of Defence equipment sale, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Five months

It was converted into an all-weather trip boat by constructing the top and sides in shaped timber and covering with clear plastic that allows for all-round viewing. Together with other work on the craft it took John Turton five months to complete and make it 'sea worthy'.

It is now carrying passengers along the 11 miles of the restored Driffield Canal that originally linked the Humber with Driffield, with its restoration continuing.