Update on the vandalised boat blocking the Coventry Canal

DESTRUCTION never seen before tell River Canal Rescue (RCR) of the narrowboat that was broken into, vandalised and scuppered.

Worst case of wanton destruction ever seen

Blocking boats cruising the Hawkesbury junction area of the Coventry canal—was the worst case of wanton destruction its teams had ever seen.

The distraught owner visited nb Rosie the week before it was vandalised, and on the weekend of 15/16 February, thieves stripped the boat clean and sunk it, not far from its mooring.

A three-man rescue team comprising chief rescue co-ordinator, Pete Barnett, and rescue engineers Andy Spencer and Abbie Pamplin raised the boat on 20th  February, after sealing all entry points, deploying pumps and emptying her of water until she was buoyant again.

The image shows the River Canal Rescue people pumping-out the boat and the one below of Andy Spencer taking his boat back to its moorings.

Upon inspection they found the following missing:

• Back doors (ripped from their hinges)
• Gearbox and bell housing (connecting Vetus engine to transmission), and engine left hanging
• Engine ancillary components
• Engine panel   
• Engine wiring (ripped out)
• Bilge pump (pipe also cut)
• Eberspaecher heater (ripped out) and pipe work  
• Batteries and solar panels
• Toilet and bathroom sink
• Engine deck boards
• Pictures
• Kitchen cutlery/dishes/food
• Personal paper work/clothes and shoes
• Bow canopy
• All mooring ropes

Bilge pump and batteries stolen

RCR advises the reason for the sinking was due to the bilge pump and batteries being stolen and the sea cock pipe being cut and left open, allowing water from the canal to flood the boat.

With no mooring ropes, the vessel soon drifted to the middle, causing an obstruction.

The front port side window was also broken and there was damage to the port side bow hull. The rescue team believes this may have been caused by another boater trying to pass the vessel while it was blocking the navigation. A theory supported by a witness.

Nb Rosie was towed to Coventry Cruising Club and will be inspected by a surveyor. The club helped RCR by allowing the rescue team to use its yard for vehicles and equipment, it loaned a mooring rope and provided on-site refreshments.