© 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
equipment
Locks
•
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 rings
Engine 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 procedures
Safe, 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.