6 minute read
Boats with buzz
More and more electric trip-boats are hi ing the water each year. We round up the operators prioritising this greener way of ge ing afl oat
Over the last few years, a number of IWA corporate members have launched new tripboats, giving visitors more opportunities to experience the inland waterways. Some have added to existing fl eets and expanded their routes and destinations, while others have set up brand-new operations in areas that previously hadn’t benefi ed om such an a raction. We’ve rounded up some of those that have gone down the route of electric propulsion for their cra having been inspired by the work of IWA’s Sustainable Boating Group and others.
Silent cruising aboard Birdswood thanks to its electric engine.
Friends of Cromford Canal
Birdswood
Taking its green credentials to another level, historic narrowboat Birdswood runs horse-drawn and electricpowered trips along the Cromford Canal.
Built in 1938 and originally name Ross, Birdswood initially carried cargo on the Birmingham Canal Navigations. It continued to be a working cra until bought by a private owner in 1974 when it was repurposed as a horse-drawn passenger boat at Froghall Wharf on the Caldon Canal.
The Friends of Cromford Canal acquired Birdswood in 2013 when it was converted to electric drive, replacing the previously installed diesel engine. Beautifully decorated, the heritage cra can hold up to 40 passengers and runs om March to December each year. birdswood.org
Cotswold Canals Trust
Adventure
Expanding the Cotswold Canals Trust’s fl eet, Adventure was launched on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal in December 2019. The electric propulsion system can be charged via electric hook-up and is supplemented by a comprehensive array of solar panels.
The trust consulted with other canal societies and members of the local communi to improve the boat’s accessibili for passengers of all abilities. The 12-seater Adventure is 54 long with a 10 beam to allow for increased manoeuvrabili on board, has a generously sized WC and a high-spec passenger hoist. There’s also plen of outside space for use in dry weather.
Based at Saul Junction Wharf, Adventure currently operates a range of cruises along the G&S but the completion of the Stroudwater Navigation restoration project will eventually open up more routes for the trip-boat. cotswoldcanals.org
BMKWT’s newest addition is the zero-emission Electra.
Monmouthshire Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust
Lord Raglan
Taking a different approach to its trip-boat, the Monmouthshire Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust remodelled a 1989-built craft with electric drive, a wheelchair lift and accessible toilet.
Lord Raglan was previously used on the Neath Canal and was saved from the scrapyard in 2011 when MBACT undertook major modelling and refurbishment works. An electric motor and large battery bank were installed in addition to new cabin linings and banquet seating for 25 passengers.
It’s the only trip-boat on the inland waterways we know of that can be powered and steered from either end, meaning return journeys can be completed without the need to wind.
The modified shell was launched in 2017, while the fit-out was substantially completed by autumn 2019. Its inaugural passenger trip was delayed somewhat by the pandemic but it now runs from Goytre Wharf within the Brecon Beacons National Park, with the 2022 season beginning in March. mbact.org.uk
Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust
Electra
Last summer Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust added the 12-seater, 54ft narrowboat Electra to its day-boat operations, which already included the successful wide-beam craft John Bunyan.
Electra runs from Campbell Wharf Marina, where the proposed new waterway route will connect the Grand Union Canal in the town, while John Bunyan is based on the River Great Ouse in Bedford.
The boat has disabled access with a lift and toilet that accommodates wheelchairs up to 700mm wide. Electra uses an all-electric propulsion unit, and the batteries can be charged via both mains power and the onboard solar panels.
Cruises resume in April 2022 and the trust has a varied programme of family-friendly, catered and themed trips in addition to private charters. bmkwaterway.org
Kingfisher Medway Trust
Kingfisher Mark
Operating since 2007, the Kingfisher Medway Trust offers skippered day hire for disadvantaged groups on the River Medway in Kent. Last October the organisation took delivery of its brand-new bespoke electric community vessel, Kingfisher Mark, which replaced the now-retired Kingfisher.
With charitable funding from the Kent Mark Master Masons, KMT commissioned an electric propulsion craft, featuring a wheelchair lift, accessible toilet and efficient galley, in September 2019.
From its base at Medway Wharf Marina, Kingfisher Mark operates two- and four-hour trips along 17 miles of non-tidal river between May and September. kingfishermedwaytrust.org.uk
Droitwich Canals Trust
Pamela May 2
Launched in April 2019, the Droitwich Canals Trust’s electricpowered narrowboat Pamela May 2 took over operations of the retired 24-year-old craft Pamela May.
The 50ft Pamela May 2 includes seating for 12 passengers, a functional galley and disabled toilet, and has been designed with outings up to eight hours long in mind. The 48V drive system charges 24 x 2V traction cell batteries, and there are two 12V systems, one for onboard domestic use and the other to power a wheelchair lift at the large cruiser stern.
The trust opted for electric propulsion to give a greener, more efficient and quieter ride for passengers. The only downside to the decision was the necessity to install an electricity supply at its Hampton Road base in Vines Park at a cost of around £3,500. It was anticipated at the time that the boat’s low running costs would soon repay the investment. pamelamay.co.uk
Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust
Outram
The first full-sized inland craft to hit the waters of the River Derwent in Derby city centre for decades is the all-electric trip-boat Outram. It was launched by the Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust next to the city’s Silk Mill on 14th October 2021 and will operate between spring and autumn each year carrying up to 12 passengers at a time.
Boarding will take place at Exeter Bridge for 45-minute return trips up the river to Darley Abbey. An electric lift will allow passengers in wheelchairs to use the boat. An audio commentary will reveal facts about Derby’s fascinating history and its plans for the future, and there will be onboard refreshments and educational entertainment for children of all ages.
Over a year’s worth of design work went into the boat and great attention was paid to making it as environmentally friendly as possible. The zero-emission propulsion system features solar panels to keep the batteries topped up. The craft is part of a larger plan to restore Derby’s canal system and encourage visitors onto the waterways. derbycanal.org.uk
