NHS UK Photography Competition

The always popular National Historic Ships competition is back for the 16th year. The theme is ‘Craft and Crew’ and there are some fantastic prizes to be won, as well as the chance to be featured in the 2026 Calendar and accompanying exhibition at Historic Dockyard Chatham.
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Norfolk lifeboat museum to close

The RNLI Henry Blogg Museum in Cromer will close later this year after the lifeboat charity terminated its lease at the seafront Rocket House building due to a chronic damp problem. The building, which sits just above the beach at the end of Cromer's Esplanade, is less than 20 years old but requires substantial repairs due to its frame being heavily corroded.
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impact of storms on canal network

As we ended 2023 and a new year began, Storms Gerrit and Henk swept across the country – and our canal network did not remain untouched. The worst-hit areas were in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. Reaction came very quickly, with our dedicated teams busy clearing weirs and opening paddles, and with that we’ve largely managed to maintain water levels.
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crt and boat licence fees

The Canal & River Trust is today confirming an increase of 6% in boat licence fees from 1 April 2024 for both private boat owners and boating businesses. The surcharges for boats without a home mooring and wide beam boats, and changes to the prompt and online payment discounts, announced on 4 October, will be applied in addition to this rise.
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rcr warn of sub standard insurance cover

River Canal Rescue (RCR), is calling for boaters to check their terms & conditions if they have a third-party insurance policy, as many will leave them unable to recover costs for a vessel refloat, removal and pollution management if their boat sinks. They say that some insurance companies are modifying their terms and conditions for third party cover.
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rare plant research in Montgomery Canal

A comprehensive research study examining two species of rare plants in the Montgomery Canal, is underway. These plants improve water quality, provide shelter for aquatic organisms, and act as a primary food source for waterfowl and fish. The research will look at developing ways to naturally cultivate the plants.
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rcr callout figures for 2022

River Canal Rescue reports it responded to 130 major incidents in 2022; emergency situations either involving submerged, partially sunken or grounded craft, plus salvage work. The figure is 24% lower than the 171 incidents RCR reported in 2021, in line with the previous year’s 25% reduction, primarily due to clement weather and fewer floods.
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erewash canal preservation rally

Over the Spring Bank Holiday 27th – 29th May 2023 the Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association will be hosting a boat rally at the Great Northern Basin at Langley Mill. The rally is to celebrate 55 years since the formation of the association and also 50 years since the restoration of the basin, lock and surrounding area.
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sticky fuel

Last summer, River Canal Rescue highlighted the problem of sticky fuel and how this was causing an uncharacteristic peak in fuel-related component breakdowns not linked to diesel bug. Managing director, Stephanie Horton, comments: “We first became aware of the issue when we had two identical jobs where fuel injectors were diagnosed as needing an overhaul…”
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