Three sunk boats rescued in 24 hours

TWO boats caught on cills and sinking and a holed boat caused River Canal Rescue (RCR) to put its agreement with Canal & River Trust to the test when it rescued all three within 24 hours of the boats coming to grief.

 

Taking on water

On the Grand Union at Watford, one rescue team attended 46ft narrowboat, Mitch, after holes in the hull caused it to start taking on water whilst on tow, quick action by the engineers averted the vessel sinking.

Later that day a report came in that the front of 60ft narrowboat Griffin (pictured) had got caught on the cill and sunk in Lock 62 on the Grand Union Canal. 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 re-floated and the lock cleared.

Completely sunk

As the team were heading home, another call-out 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 re-floated and the lock cleared.

Three rescues in less than 24hrs with little disruption to other waterways users—all completed with minimal delay and health and safety requirements being met.

Pre-authorisation

Pre-authorisation enables RCR to get straight to rescues without having to complete paperwork for each job or wait for approval from CaRT. With Managing Director, Stephanie Horton, commenting:

"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.