RCR lends a hand with the Stafford Riverway Link.

For 10 years River Canal Rescue have been based in Stafford, a short distance from the Staffs and Worcester canal so it’s not surprising that the company have got involved in the project to restore The Stafford Riverway Link. The SRL is the new name for the former Stafford Branch Canal or River Sow Navigation which formerly linked the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Baswich with the town centre of Stafford.  The restoration project aims to rebuild this link for community benefit.

This link consisted of a short section of canal branching off the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal near St Thomas Bridge 101 leading via a basin and an aqueduct over a drainage channel into a lock down into the River Sow.  From here the river course was straightened and made navigable for 1½ miles to its terminus at a basin near Green Bridge in Stafford.

The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal opened in 1772 passing within I½ miles of Stafford but on the other side of the river. Despite this the first fixed link with the town was not made until 1805 when a horse tramroad was opened running from a basin and warehouses at Radford Bank. Coal was carried from the canal together with other goods but its limited capacity meant it was not a great success and it closed in about 1814.  This was replaced in 1816 by the River Sow Navigation which was constructed privately.

To this day the route can still be walked on riverside footpaths and doing so you can see the potential value of its restoration to boaters and for trade and tourism in Stafford is. This was part of the reason why RCR decided to help to promote the project by supporting the project though the production of posters to promote the charities aims, and also the construction of a post at the proposed junction to highlight to boaters and walkers where the new canals route. This, it is hoped, will improve visibility of the charity and its aims.

For more information see the Stafford Riverway Link website: www.stafford-riverway-link.co.uk and for more information on River Canal Rescue visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk

Innovation and Customer Service at the heart of RCR’s New Membership Cover.

Innovation and Customer Service at the heart of RCR’s New Membership Cover.

River Canal Rescue are proud to announce an innovative and new service as part of RCR membership. This new cover offers our members an amazing service, taking ‘peace of mind’ a step further and ensuring that no matter what happens we can assist you. Not only that but we can also remove the burden of unplanned costs.

The new, RCR Replacement Parts Cover is designed to complement the benefits members already receive under the RCR Breakdown membership. This is not, however, available as a standalone product. The new service will be included in all membership levels other than the retainer level.

Parts Replacement Cover – 

Now after you’ve broken down we can pick up the repair bill.

RCR Replacements Parts cover gives you additional peace of mind, knowing we could help protect you from surprise repair bills should your vessel breakdown. (Full details will be available in the T&C’s membership booklet.)

What the new RCR membership will cover: 

• Following a breakdown, attended under your RCR Membership, the cost of parts, labour and VAT are covered if your vessel needs repairs due to mechanical or electrical breakdown. Cover limits and exclusions apply.*
• Cover includes a huge range of parts, for example :-

1. Starter Motor
2. Alternator replacements
3. Water Pump
4. Fuel Pump, Fuel Pipes & Fuel Hoses
5. Gearbox & Drive Plate
6. Propeller Shaft & Couplings
7. Hydraulic Pipes
8. Engine Mounts
9. Mechanical Steering and Hydraulic Controls
10. Injection Pump

Specifically EXCLUDED Parts

• Oil Cooler
• Propeller(s)
• Stern Gland/Tube
• Engine
• Consumables such as cables, filters, rubber components and the like that require routine wear and tear replacement

• Pays up to a maximum of £1,000 per repair^**
• You can make up to 4 claims per year 
• no restrictions on age of the engine

*Excludes normal wear and tear. 

**£50 excess per claim.

We don't just rescue boats!

Ralph Kitts one of RCR's southern engineers was patrolling his local area in Watford and decided to pop down the towpath to check on a few of the local boaters and see how things were going. On arrival at the moorings at Coxley Common Moor on the GU he stopped to chat to some of the boaters and have a cup of tea. At some point during the conversation he heard a large splash, and thinking it was possibly a fish or bird, he popped his head round the boat and noticed a large red jacket floating in the canal on the opposite side.

He quickly realised that the jacket contained someone and that as they were unmoving were probably unconscious. The route around to the opposite side was a long trek and it would take too long to get around to the man in time..... So without hesitation he leapt in to the water and waded across to the body. Having reached the victim he managed to turn them around and in doing so realised that the elderly gentleman had a heavy rucksack on his back which was hampering the rescue. Luckily a number of workmen noticed him struggling and came over to lend a hand pulling the unconscious man out of the water and onto the towpath.

As the gentleman was revived an ambulance was called and the gentleman, who was approximate 70yrs old, was taken to Watford General hospital.

Ralph although very wet and cold headed back to his van to head home for a change of cloths and a warm drink. 

Well done Ralph!

From River Canal Rescue

IWA Launches New Tailored Boat Insurance Scheme With Built in Breakdown Membership

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has teamed up with both Navigators & General and River Canal Rescue to enable an insurance facility that it believes is unique to the market, with the added benefit that every policy taken out and subsequently renewed helps IWA, and so helps our charitable work for the waterways.

Our tailored inland waterway insurance policies cover loss and damage to your vessel, protect against legal claims, pay out for injury and damage caused to other property and provide the additional security of inclusive breakdown membership.

Key policy features

The policy incorporates many features that are unique including:

• Membership to River Canal Rescue breakdown (which can be upgraded at additional cost)   

• Dedicated insurance cover for owners who permanently live aboard their boats (Additional cost) - Personal public liability

• Marina benefits

• Medical expenses cover

• £3 million pounds third party cover

Speaking on behalf of IWA, Neil Edwards, chief executive, said:

“IWA currently arranges insurance for over 170 of IWA’s corporate members, including most waterways societies and trusts, many boat clubs, community boat groups, navigation authorities, educational, industrial archaeological, waterways leisure and heritage bodies, museums and a wide range of other non-profit making organisations.  This is something that IWA has done as a non-profit making service for over 35 years, and has helped save many thousands of pounds from waterways insurance bills.  IWA’s experience in insurance matters led us to believe that something advantageous could be put in place for private boat owners too.  We believe that our partnership with Navigators & General, a leading pleasure craft insurer, and with River Canal Rescue, the foremost boat breakdown organisation, makes this scheme a market-leading proposition, and one which provides additional financial benefit to IWA that will allow it to further its charitable work for the waterways.”

For more information please go to: http://www.waterways.org.uk/support_us/boat_insurance