THE Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust's community boat Electra is back home after her Spring maintenance.
Having carried over 4,000 guests in her first two years, Electra was ready for her Spring service. She is now back in the water, spruced-up and ready to start cruising for the rest of 2023. So, with lots of lovely summer cruises on offer, it’s time to book.
Maintenance items
We are told Electra, the all-electric community boat, has been back to Colecraft, the Warwickshire boatyard where she was originally built. Over 20 maintenance items were carried out, to keep her looking as good as new, together with enhancements to her battery and electrical management systems to keep her at the forefront of environmentally-friendly boat technology.
Other works included replacing the bow thruster propeller, relaying the cabin floor and painting the hull.
After being driven 50 miles down the M1 on a low-loader, she was craned back into the Grand Union Canal at Willowbridge Marina on Stoke Road, Bletchley on Thursday morning 8th June.
The image shows the condition of the hull before the maintenance.
Welcome back
Denise Taylor, Volunteer Chair of Electra’s management team, enthused:
“We are delighted to welcome Electra back to Milton Keynes. She looks in such good condition, following her ‘make-over’ at the boatyard. The boatyard team has done a great job, as have our own volunteers, Malcolm, Stuart, Kevin and Jerry.
“Once our volunteer crew members have completed their refresher training, we are looking forward to greeting our guests on board for the rest of the season,” said Sue Morrison, volunteer Lead Cabin Host. “Cruises will begin on Tuesday 27th June and bookings can be made by visiting the website." www.bmkwaterway.org/electra
Image shows Electra being craned-into the canal at Willowbridge Marina. Credit: James Clifton.
Opportunities
Volunteer Coordinator, Gill Kirkup explained that there are opportunities to join the team, particularly volunteers to help with shore-based roles including marketing, community engagement and training administration. If you are interested, please email Gill on: