Avon nearly claimed another boat

THE Avon nearly claimed yet another narrowboat when Ark ended perilously close to Marcliffe Weir near Bidford-on-Avon.

Regular readers will be aware that no few narrowboats have come to grief over the all too often flooding of the river recently, and it was only the quick response of the emergency services that prevent the boat from disaster, Roger Fox reveals.

Strong current

Once again it was people using the river in flood conditions, with the strong current taking the boat towards the weir, with the three people on board unable to do anything about it.

The boat was approaching the lock at Marcliffe, but failed to keep over to the left hand side, and so was caught by the force of the water rushing over the weir, with the boat not having enough power to made any headway, so ending up on the weir barrier.

Pulled to safety

It was the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service that quickly came to the rescue, together with its river rescue boat and pulled the stricken craft to safety, then took off the crew.

[Many people purchasing boats primarily for canal use often do not realise the power that is needed in river conditions, particularly in flood, they having small propellers and under powered engines.]