I HAVE been a reader of your site for many years—thanks for the good works! Writes Rosy Hopkins.
Our share boat was caught up on a protrusion from the lock gate, locking up at Lock 29 (Banbury) on the Oxford Canal, last weekend. [The lock is now closed as unsafe—Editor.]
Rock the boat free
She listed quite badly to port. It took five wonderful burly firemen and an owner to rock the boat free! At the same time we experienced a fire incident with our starter motor, which put out a lot of black smoke (hence the firemen!). Beyond glad to say all crew (including doggie) were safe, and handled the whole situation in a very safe and calm manner.
The gate itself is in a disgraceful condition, with much long term wear damage, but we are told locally that CRT have attended site recently, and removed a piece of metal bar from the bottom of the gate. It is the remains of this that it seems our boat was caught on.
This was all reported to CRT, and an incident raised, but we have had no information back as yet.
At least 11 boats caught
Anecdotally we have been told that Tuesday at least 11 other boats have caught up on this gate, although none as firmly as us as far as we know!
I am writing this as I believe there are no warning signs to alert boaters to the invisible danger, which may be about 18 inches below the waterline (exact location unknown), and people need to be careful going through this lock.