© Rock the Lock
Safety
Canal boats - It’s easy isn’t it?
Well, essentially yes! It’s not too difficult to operate a narrowboat - it has forward and reverse and steers left and right. Locks are usually fairly simple to work out and locks such as Bingley 5 Rise staircase locks on the Leeds & Liverpool canal have permanent lock keepers to help you through. You won’t be allowed to use the Anderton boat lift on your own - so what’s the problem - Simple right?Wrong!
People are killed on the canal system every year because they think like that and it’s not just stag parties that sink canal boats. Why would you even think about risking your life, your family or other members of the public when you can take a course and learn all you need to know to ensure you have an enjoyable holiday.Boating
There are many similarities between boating on a canal and sailing in the sea. Most would assume that the main difference would be the wind but the effects of the wind can also make life difficult on a canal boat as the side of the boat acts as as 57 ft long sail!
Personal Safety
• Understanding man overboard routine • Avoidance of crushing injuries • Special risks to children • Correctly fit buoyancy aid or life jacket • Avoiding fire risk and using fire fighting equipmentLocks
• Windlass • Understanding how a lock works • Names of its components • Importance of water conservation. • Lock etiquette.
Deckwork
• Boathooks & Barge poles • Anchor & Piling hooks • Mooring pins • Knots & rope handling • Securing to pins, bollards and ringsEngine Bay
• Routine checks • Weed hatch checks • Location of isolation devices
Helmsmanship
• Communications, hand signals, horn • Correct terminology for pars of craft • Steering, mooring up, rules of the road • Understanding behaviour of narrowboats in shallow and deep water, and their interaction with other boats, banks, bridges and tunnels. • Running aground proceduresSafe, friendly, considerate boating
• License conditions, by laws and environmental considerations. • Every effort will be made to blend the curriculum into the practicality of the day thus reinforcing theory with practice.
© Rock the Lock
Safety
Canal boats - It’s easy isn’t it?
Well, essentially yes! It’s not too difficult to operate a narrowboat - it has forward and reverse and steers left and right. Locks are usually fairly simple to work out and locks such as Bingley 5 Rise staircase locks on the Leeds & Liverpool canal have permanent lock keepers to help you through. You won’t be allowed to use the Anderton boat lift on your own - so what’s the problem - Simple right?Wrong!
People are killed on the canal system every year because they think like that and it’s not just stag parties that sink canal boats. Why would you even think about risking your life, your family or other members of the public when you can take a course and learn all you need to know to ensure you have an enjoyable holiday.Boating
There are many similarities between boating on a canal and sailing in the sea. Most would assume that the main difference would be the wind but the effects of the wind can also make life difficult on a canal boat as the side of the boat acts as as 57 ft long sail!
Personal Safety
• Understanding man overboard routine • Avoidance of crushing injuries • Special risks to children • Correctly fit buoyancy aid or life jacket • Avoiding fire risk and using fire fighting equipmentLocks
• Windlass • Understanding how a lock works • Names of its components • Importance of water conservation. • Lock etiquette.
Helmsmanship
• Communications, hand signals, horn • Correct terminology for pars of craft • Steering, mooring up, rules of the road • Understanding behaviour of narrowboats in shallow and deep water, and their interaction with other boats, banks, bridges and tunnels. • Running aground proceduresSafe, friendly, considerate
boating
• License conditions, by laws and environmental considerations. • Every effort will be made to blend the curriculum into the practicality of the day thus reinforcing theory with practice.
