10 mins and then she was on the bottom.

From the rooftops of the buildings opposite the river, builders spotted a narrow boat whose stern appeared to be sinking, but by the time they got down and raised the alarm the vessel had already sunk to the gunnels. L R Harris at Syston quickly notified the owner and obtained a pump, in order to try and rescue the boat. 

When the owner returned unfortunately it was already too late to rescue his beloved parrots, and although he waded waist deep in freezing water it was obvious that the cages were well below the water. As a live abound the owner had taken great care of the boat and only recently had a hull survey completed. Everyone was at a loss to explain the cause of the sinking, other than the heavy and persistent rain fall over the past few days.  

LR Harris battled all day to try to raise the boat but to no avail and as light faded they called RCR to see if their rescue team were available.  With the light gone the team were prepped to attend the following day and armed with 4 pumps hoped to get her refloated.

RCR’s team immediately set to with the pumps, but after several hours were still not making the headway they had expected. More water was appearing than disappearing! Searching the vessel they found a number of vents, and the owner notified them of a couple more on the outside of his boat. By blocking these they started to gain momentum but still water was pouring and the source could not be located.

Working in freezing temperatures and waist deep in water for hours, and with work not progressing as it should the team called a halt. When they did it took only 28secs for her to sink back to her previous position. The following day, having discussed possibilities and options, they returned to site to try again. This time they removed sodden items from the boat to reduce weight, blocked holes and vents, and used a winch to assist in lifting the stern. With the help of local boaters and all pumps working at full capacity within a few hours the boat finally came up.

Unfortunately she was still taking on a large amount of water and at risk of sinking again, so the team took the option of grounding her in LR Harris pound. This where the rest of the heavy items could be removed so that she can be hoisted out of the water and a full investigation as to the cause undertaken.

LR Harris staff and the local boaters supplied ample warm drinks and helped keep everyone’s spirits high despite the circumstances, and with a strong community spirit are committed to helping the owner get back on his feet.

Insurer offers advice for re launching boats

Navigators & General (N&G) together with River Canal Rescue (RCR) is reminding boat owners to carry out a number of simple and straightforward checks before they get back on the water to avoid common claims.

“RCR have found over many years of attending breakdown and emergencies that conducting maintenance checks before starting off on a cruise will reduce the risk of damage to the boat and possible injuries. There is a substantial risk that you will breakdown on your first run out, and therefore it is essential that you do your best to prevent this occurring as if something major occurs remember that insurance cannot compensate for lack of maintenance and will not cover damage caused as a result of wear and tear.” Stephanie Horton MD RCR

N&G generally sees an increase in claims notifications over March and April as boats are launched, or when owners return to find their boats have suffered damage or theft during the winter. The increased risk frost damage to pipes, water systems and engines this year are likely to have caused more undetected damage that may go un detected until too late.

Carrying out a number of simple pre-launch checks, and ensuring there is good communication with the yard or launching company can significantly help reduce the risk of potential accidents, breakdowns or worse still, sinking. Wherever possible, it is advisable for the owner to be present when the boat is launched to monitor the vessel for any unusual water ingress for at least a couple of hours after settling

These types of checks are particularly important after a harsh winter where skin fittings, pipes, engines and water/cooling systems may have been damaged or dislodged by ice. Pipes split by ice can slowly leak once submersed below the waterline often leading to sinking if not spotted. N&G have seen a number of sinking claims caused by something as simple as failing to replace a through hull fitting or re-attach an internal hose. 

Even the experienced boat owner is still at risk from complacency. Taking a small amount of time to routinely go through a number of pre season checks can prove very worthwhile.

To avoid problems, Navigators & General and RCR recommend the following:

• check all water carrying pipes for splits or leaks 
• have a yearly pre-season machinery maintenance check, by a boat engineer (RCR Engine inspection) 
• do not start engines until all basic checks have been completed, including opening raw water sea cocks 
• check fuel or gas lines and cables for wear & tear and deterioration 
• check bilges and ensure bilge pumps are working – if water found check gearbox for contamination and locate leak. 
• check all hoses, skin fittings, through hull fittings & hose clips 
• have your engine serviced prior to use, and treat fuel with a treatment for water contamination and diesel bug with products similar to Marine 16. 
• check Morse controller and steering controls to ensure free movement 

Common problems include:

• flooring, steps and handles not being properly re-attached after servicing, which can lead to injury 
• split pipes that only show themselves hours after a boat is underway 
• through hull fittings not being replaced or hoses not properly re-connected, 
• which can lead to sinking 
• not checking engines are fully re-commissioned, which can let you down at a crucial moment or be damaged when started 
• blocked filters and contaminated fuel due to lack of servicing and standing for long periods resulting in engine failure at crucial moments. 
• water in gearboxes, due to being semi submerged or oil cooler leaking, causing potential failure and damage. 

“Whilst it is tempting to get out on the water at the first sign of a good spring day, spending time on these simple pre-season checks will be time well-spent as the rain, damp and storms over the winter can cause wear and tear to a boat and equipment. It’s also key to ensure there is no misunderstanding about who is to complete the maintenance and prepare the boat for launch – be it the boat owner or the boat yard or a third party. ” said James Roberts Head of Navigators & General