RCR rescue the French cruisers

River Canal Rescue reports four vessels have been re-floated or removed from the water and one is waiting for a lift-out.

This was following requests to help recover boats from the Canal du Midi in south western France last week.

Under RCR's guidance

All but one of the boats belong to one of the largest EU hire firms and RCR directors Stephanie Horton and Trevor Forman were called to the area to advise on the re-floats and to see if their rescue teams were needed. Under their guidance, the recoveries were undertaken by the hire boat team.

One vessel, Vision 25, sank at the main lock with water ingress and its hybrid prototype engine and generator drive system suffered major impact damage, prompting remedial repairs, with Stephanie remarking:

"This vessel was caught in the worst of the floods and it came to rest on the lock entrance barriers. It was jacked back into the water and pumped out prior to re-floating, and has sustained considerable damage.

“The boat with its bow vertically out of the water, Royal Classic, was a tricky job as it was locked into position with a wooden cruiser whose bow rail and anchor impacted the side door and window, entangling both vessels. There were also trees and obstacles like mooring bollards, benches etc on either side so the crane driver and hire boat team did really well to refloat it.

"This craft suffered damage to its rear cabins and bathroom and impact damage to the door and window. Minor hull damage was repaired before it was lifted in, which involves pumping out and lifting simultaneously and then lifting back into the water.”

Had tried to pump-out

The boat, Continental 67, had its stern out of the canal so was lifted in and pumped out. It suffered minor internal damage to the front cabins and when Stephanie and Trevor arrived, the customers explained that when they tried to pump out, water came in.

“We suggested they pump out whilst we were on site, only to discover a large crack in the hull was causing water ingress,” continues Stephanie. “We guided them though fitting a tarpaulin and sealing the crack, and luckily as the crack usually sits above the water line, the boat will come out of the water for repairs in due course.”

Stephanie and Trevor also assisted in the lifting and shifting of a private American-owned boat. Being completely out of the water, they advised the owner not to refloat it as the rudder was damaged and would need repair first.

Could not re-float

The only boat that could not be re-floated required the main road to be closed and as the town has so many roads under repair, it was not possible to get permission. However this proved an easy lift and one of the least damaged vessels.

All in all a very successful undertaking, with the boat owners most appreciative of the efforts and knowledge of the River Canal Rescue people.