Diesel Bug warning from River Canal Rescue

Breakdown and assistance firm, River Canal Rescue, reports an unprecedented number of call-outs across the country last week due to fuel contamination caused by water and diesel bug (an enzyme or bacteria that grows from water in the fuel).  Diesel bug is usually prevalent after winter or Easter, but it appears to be causing problems later in the year. 

Out of 83 call outs last week, nine were fuel related whereas the week before RCR attended 95 call-outs with no contamination issues. In a bid to combat the problem, RCR is offering a free 100ml bottle of Marine 16 fuel treatment to any boater who calls and requests a bottle on 01785 785680 during June. 

Managing Director Stephanie Horton, comments; "Many of the diesel bug problems appear to be after people have filled their vessel, so it could be a fuel supply issue.  We're keen to help people where we can which is why we're not putting a limit on the amount of Marine 16 we offer - it's free to boaters, usually retails at approx £5 and will treat a full fuel tank, the only cost is the cost of postage." 




Please note that if you are using another treatment we advise you to continue using this and not mix treatments.  

River Canal Rescue offers ‘New Marine Finance’ option

River Canal Rescue and its Canal Contracting department have entered into an agreement with finance provider, Hitachi, giving boaters access to quick and easy finance options.  The new facility will enable people to undertake boat improvements and engine replacement or emergency repairs when needed.

The borrowing limit is £25,000 which can be repaid over an agreed time of up to 12 years and a number of options, such as ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ and ‘Interest Free*’ periods are available.  Interest rates are as a little as 7.9%** depending on the amount borrowed and payback period.

RCR Managing Director, Stephanie Horton, comments: “If something goes wrong it’s not always easy to immediately get hold of the cash you need to put things right, particularly as very few loan providers lend money for boat maintenance and the process can be long winded.  Within two weeks of making this finance option available, five people successfully applied, allowing them to spread their costs and ease the financial pressure.” 

She concludes: “Loan quotes can be provided within minutes and applications emailed to users to complete online with an immediate response.  If you don’t have email or internet access, then paper applications can be provided too.”

To find out more or get a quote, call the Canal Contracting team on 01785 785685.  Plans are underway to make this facility available online. 

Example

*Buy Now Pay Later and Interest Free options = up to 12 months.  If cleared within the period then no interest charged.  Otherwise APR 19.9%.

** Monthly repayments for a £7000 loan over three years at 7.9% APR = £218.17. 

£218.17 x 36 months = £7854.12.

River Canal Rescue launches Incident Care

In response to the increasing number of insurance related call-outs it is receiving, River Canal Rescue has launched a new Incident Care Service which helps boat owners manage their claims and recover costs* following an emergency.

The Service is run by RCR’s Canal Contracting team who take control of the insurance claim.   They get the boat out of danger and to a location where it can be worked on, identify the nearest facilities, provide a diagnostic engineer, arrange estimates for repairs, liaise with insurers and contractors, source and deliver claims forms and explain ‘next steps’ and how the claim will progress.

In 2013, the breakdown and emergency assistance firm was asked to help progress claims and liaise with insurers in 73%** of insurance call-outs, prompting RCR Managing Director, Stephanie Horton, to create the Service.  Since January this year, 86%** of insurance call-outs have been handled by the Incident Care team.

Stephanie comments: “Whilst insurers, in the main, are very good at progressing claims quickly, there’s still a fair bit of legwork often needed to get the claim to the stage where it can move ahead.  Getting the boat to safety and sourcing insurance information and repairers/contractors can be tiresome for people, particularly at what can be an emotional and stressful time, so we do it for them.

“By taking control of the situation we not only calm frayed nerves but reduce damage costs and speed up claims’ resolution, which claimants and insurers both appreciate.”

The service costs £50 which is usually added to the claim, however Stephanie reminds that call centre staff  are always available to advise free of charge, what to do next if there’s been an accident or the vessel is in danger, sunk, vandalised or had a fire, and offer assistance in getting back on track.

Call 01785 248793 out of hours or 01785 785685 to go direct though to the canal contracting team during office hours - lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year.  To find out more about River Canal Rescue visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk

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Notes to Editors

*Subject to policy terms and conditions.

**Based on 117 insurance-related call-outs received from Jan 2013 to Dec 2013, 85 call-outs used ‘Incident Care’, 32 did not.  85 as a % of 117 = 72.6%.    Jan – April 2014 51 insurance-related call-outs, 44 used ‘Incident Care’, 7 did not.   44 as a % of 51 = 86.2%.

Case Studies

Owner of a new 60ft wide beam 'Skylark' got caught in a lock on the Leeds and Liverpool canal and damaged rudder and skeg.  Required lift out for towing and repair – there were no dry docks available within a 30mil radius and a crane was arranged at a boat yard 10 miles away. 

Owner of 57ft narrow boat hit something underwater on the Bridgewater Canal and damaged the prop and stern tube, urgently requiring dry docking. 

Owner with a 30ft cruiser on the Bridgewater Canal – suffered problems with outdrive and required dry docking for repairs. 

Owner of a 35ft cruiser on the river Wey, smashed window, heavy rain caused boat to nearly sink. Engineer on site next day, boarded window and pumped vessel out.

Owner of 45ft narrow boat stuck in reeds near weir on the River Avon, rudder snapped off, rescued from location, arranged temporary rudder and recovered vessel to local boat yard.

Owner of a 40ft narrow boat on the Trent & Mersey canal reported boat sinking, arranged rescue team to attend and pump out boat and first aid – minimal damage

Owner of 60ft Narrow boat on River Nene, blown into the reeds and then grounded when trying to turn.  Rescue team on hand within 8 hrs, boat recovered, safely refloated and cruised to safe location.

Unreserved Apology to Mrs Pollard

Recently RCR was asked to provide photos for a television series which illustrated the dangers boaters faced in locks.  Due to a confusion over programme deadlines, we failed to consult with the owners and gain approval for their use prior to them being broadcast.  This lead to photos of Miss Pollard's vessel being shown without her permission.  We are very committed to our customers and are concerned when our actions impact upon them.   River Canal Rescue would therefore like to apologise to Miss Pollard for any distress the broadcast of her photo caused her and to redress the situation we have agreed to make a donation to the RNLI at her request.

In line with our policy to never allow the use of photos by third parties without the owners' prior consent, we would like to reassure other members that we will ensure their agreement is sought prior to any other images being used for publicity by third parties. As we failed in the instance, this is the reason for a public apology.

River Canal Rescue acquires Key Diesels

Stafford-based inland waterway breakdown and emergency assistance firm River Canal Rescue has acquired Burton-on-Trent diesel injection system specialist Key Diesels.

River Canal Rescue is recognised as the ‘fourth emergency service’ for UK boaters and provides customers with replacement parts cover meeting the costs of specified parts and labour following an unforeseen breakdown.  Key Diesels is one of the UK’s top repairers and distributors of injection pumps, lift pumps and fuel pipes, and an authorised distributor of Delphi components.

The acquisition of 20 year-old Key Diesels illustrates how River Canal Rescue continues to go from strength to strength; the firm’s staff tally is now 27 (having grown from five in 14 years), it has a thriving apprenticeship programme and recently employed three new engineers and two apprentices.   

Managing Director, Stephanie Horton, says the merging of the two firms is a ‘great strategic fit’.  She comments; “By bringing the two firms together, we can address the issues faced by people across the country when diesel systems fail.  For example, there’s no price consistency - they differ from £300 to £700 for a BMC injection pump dependent upon location - and if a repaired or refurbished part fails, although it’s covered under a warranty, the labour costs to remove and refit another one, are not. 

“As the engine (which these parts support) charges the boat’s batteries and so supplies the power, a fast turnaround is crucial.  A typical wait for repaired or new parts is five to 10 days which is too long for a boat to be left without power.  We can now control these issues and deliver a more cost-effective service for our customers.”

This single solution approach of stocking and supplying all common marine parts with consistent pricing and a speedy turnaround also meets the needs of marinas and contractors who have pledged to use River Canal Rescue and its new subsidiary for their diesel system requirements.  And with expertise and the parts now so easily accessible, River Canal Rescue is currently training all of its engineers in this area.

Four Key Diesel staff; head engineer Hugh Hudson, mechanic Steve Humphreys and apprentices Dave Moore and Shannon Andrea will be based at the existing office in Burton-on-Trent.  River Canal Rescue remains at its Stafford offices.

To find out more about River Canal Rescue visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk

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River Canal Rescue flood update

As river levels recede after their unprecedented rises, breakdown and assistance firm River Canal Rescue continues to be kept busy retrieving sunken, grounded and partially submerged vessels. 

From January 1 to the end of March, emergency assistance teams helped 43 boat owners on a number of canal and rivers across the UK, including the; Thames, Wey, Kennet & Avon, Leeds & Liverpool, Grand Union, Nene and Gloucester & Sharpness.  These types of rescues would usually be around 20 for the winter period.

The highest number of call-outs, 49%, was for help refloating sunken vessels.  Next came calls to release grounded boats (25%) which were displaced by high water levels and typically dumped elsewhere when river levels subsided.   “Unfortunately,” says RCR Managing Director, Stephanie Horton, “some were washed downstream and submerged or damaged.”

Requests for pump-outs to stabilise listing craft accounted for 21% of call-outs.  Stephanie continues: “All call-outs are time critical but in these cases, a swift response can help minimise damage and save a boat from some of the worst effects of the floods.”

She concludes: “Displaced boats wedged in new and often dangerous locations, craft crashed into bridges (in one case resulting in a sinking), ones overwhelmed with water and vessels in need of refloats were commonplace.  In many cases it’s waiting for that optimum time to undertake the rescue and the earlier we are made aware of stranded boats the easier it is to choose the right time to attempt a rescue.  Whilst this weather event has stretched our teams, we’ve never lost a boat yet and don’t intend to do so now.” 

To find out more about River Canal Rescue visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk or phone 01785 785680. 

Case studies include

Queen of Hearts 70ft Narrow boat sunk at Abingdon

28ft Cruiser on river Wey damaged and sunk following a tree fall

57ft narrow boat broke mooring in high winds and came to rest against bridge on the Gloucester & Sharpness, and quickly sank due to the water and wind

57ft wide beam near Sonning, partial beach and partially sunk

Three cruisers stranded on bank in Staines in February, another three in March

50ft narrow boat partially grounded and partially submerged with the extra challenge of being under a wide beam neighbour

70ft narrow boat stranded on the bank

Cruiser stuck in a tree on Thames

Four cruisers on the Thames in Staines/Windsor area – submerged and refloated

Cruiser washed down river and found in Sunbury upside down – on refloat only half of the boat left

Cruiser at Beal Park and three narrow boats at Reading saved from sinking

Grounded narrow boat on river Nene

Partially sunken narrow boat on Trent & Mersey

Cruiser on Leeds & Liverpool sunk 

Changes to qualifying criteria for 2014 RCR Cruising Challenge trophy

Intrepid travelers keen to win the 2014 River Canal Rescue Cruising Challenge trophy (recognising the most enterprising non-continuous journey) can log journeys undertaken since the last Inland Waterway Association Festival rather than wait until the usual ‘beginning of year’ qualifying period.

RCR and the IWA have given entrants more time to log journeys to encourage greater exploration of the UK waterway system, particularly useful as participants receive additional points if they visit lesser-used waterways and reach distant end-of-navigations and inland tidal sections.

Anyone attending the Saul Waterways Pageant (23-25 August) and submitting their log in person, with or without boat, is eligible to enter. In the past, only those turning up with their craft could apply.

RCR MD Stephanie Horton said: “In previous years the timescales have been limited, making the more inaccessible parts of the system difficult to visit.  By extending the qualifying period from last year’s Festival to this new event, we’re providing entrants with greater flexibility when it comes to route planning and we’re opening the competition up to a wider audience.”

The only restriction for the RCR Cruising Challenge Trophy is that no section of canal or river may be counted more than once in the same direction in the same calendar month.  Entrants are required to supply a full cruising log at the 2014 Waterways Pageant, showing miles and locks, which must be supported with evidence (photographic or otherwise) of reaching key destinations during the cruise.  Judges will consider the log presentation and the overall cruise content, rather than the longest journey.

The qualifying period for the other two RCR-sponsored trophies; the Robert Aickman Challenge (most enterprising journey) and AP Herbert (longest journey) remains around eight weeks before the summer event and boat travel is required when submitting logs.  RCR will continue to give away a year’s free gold, silver and bronze memberships to the three trophy winners.

To find out more, contact Awards organiser Paul Chilvers on 07774 164413. Downloadable entry forms are available from the IWA website- www.waterways.org.uk - and information on River Canal Rescue is at www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk

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