River Canal Rescue

Three-month recovery high and YouTube rescue videos

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Scootering Web Editor

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June 6, 2024

Unprecedented rainfall levels, water surges and numerous flood warnings resulted in River Canal Rescue (RCR) responding to more major incidents in the first three months of this year, than it did for the whole of 2023. Between January and March, its teams responded to 155 major incidents (emergency situations either involving submerged, partially sunken or…
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RCR breaks the mould

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Web Editor

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December 26, 2023

RIVER Canal Rescue has won the Leading Innovation category at this year’s Breaking the Mould Awards, run by Keele University. Tutors nominated RCR director Jay Forman for the award, recognising his research and development work into hydrogen boat systems, the environmental bilge filter, Bilgeaway, and mapping, route-planning and membership app WaterNav. They were also impressed…
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Tech advice: Keeping your boat safely afloat

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Web Editor

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December 20, 2023

AS WE experience the wetter months, it’s important to give your boat a thorough safety check and familiarise yourself with all its workings, writes Stephanie Horton of River Canal Rescue. This may sound obvious, but do you really know how your boat has been built, where important items of equipment and machinery are located and…
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Essential read: Managing lock cills

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Web Editor

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April 26, 2023

Every year, lock cills catch boaters unaware, no matter how experienced they are. Once a vessel’s caught on a cill, it causes the rudder to pop out of the cup, which is quickly resolved. However, in many cases, it results in damage to the skeg, rudder and bearings, and the boat needs to be towed…
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Fire and tragedy on the Shropshire Union Canal

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Web Editor

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February 27, 2023

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River Canal Rescue 2022 call-out figures

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Web Editor

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February 3, 2023

River Canal Rescue reports it responded to 130 major incidents in 2022; emergency situations either involving submerged, partially sunken or grounded craft, plus salvage work. The figure is 24% lower than the 171 incidents RCR reported in 2021, in line with the previous year’s 25% reduction, primarily due to clement weather and fewer floods. In contrast,…
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Sandford sinkings: Boaters lose homes in Thames weir incident

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Phil Pickin

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October 4, 2022

A COUPLE have been left homeless after an incident on the River Thames in which a weir was emptied, causing their boat to sink. Two other boats on residential moorings also sank after the weir gate was opened at the Sandford weir structure, causing the water level to plummet rapidly. The incident happened near the…
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Servicing reminder!

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Web Editor

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September 27, 2022

River Canal Rescue is reminding boat owners to book a service so they’re cruising-ready for next year. RCR engineers are available up until mid-March, at set times, to undertake engine servicing and inspections, and prices start at £150. By ensuring everything is in working order now, the breakdown and assistance firm says it will reduce…
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Grounding warning from River Canal Rescue!

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Web Editor

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August 17, 2022

With water shortages and low water levels causing closures in some parts of the inland waterway network, River Canal Rescue is urging boat owners to take care to avoid grounding. In the last week, RCR engineers were called to the same spot on the River Severn on the approach to Bevere Island from the north. This…
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River Canal Rescue call-out figures 2021

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Shannon Butcher

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April 4, 2022

River Canal Rescue reports it responded to 171 major incidents in 2021; emergency situations either involving submerged, partially sunken or grounded craft, plus salvage work.
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Boating community supports Forces Vets Afloat

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Janet Richardson

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January 5, 2022

INLAND waterway businesses and boats owners are coming together to help the newly established Forces Vets Afloat Project restore a boat so it can be used and enjoyed by British forces veterans. Founder and boat owner Andy Flint set up the project in July 2021, and with the support of River Canal Rescue, Ballinger Towage…
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That sinking feeling, don’t get it!

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Janet Richardson

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November 19, 2021

WE’RE all used to unpredictable weather patterns; one month it’s unseasonably warm, the next we experience rain more akin to tropical downpours and then we’re faced with a bitter cold-snap. While we cannot control the elements, we can control how our boats cope in extreme scenarios. In October last year, there were severe downpours and…
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What to do if your boat runs aground

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Mark Lancaster

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October 3, 2021

RIVER Canal Rescue recently warned boaters about the risks of grounding after receiving a high number of call-outs. Over the last few months rescue co-ordinators have been giving on the phone assistance to at least one person a day, and while many callers are then able to move their boats, around 40% require support from…
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Boat refloated on the Rochdale Nine

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Mark Lancaster

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October 1, 2021

A TEAM from River Canal Rescue were recently called out after a narrowboat sank in Lock 92 of the Rochdale Canal. It is believed to have taken on water when the rudder was caught between the two bottom lock gates as they closed. In common with most of the locks known as the ‘Rochdale nine’…
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