BW Recover Stricken Boat - photos

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal was closed today between Mossley and Stalybridge after a boat came to grief in a lock.

The boat, nb Dizzy, was entering Lock 9w from the short pound above, which was very low. The stern of the boat became stuck on the wooden cill that abuts the top gate. The water in the lock continued to drain away until the bow of the boat took on water and sank.

It is believed that one of the hydraulic tail gate paddles was obstructed and would not fully close. BW say this had not been reported to them by other boaters, although one boater has said he reported it a week earlier. In addition, the lock has considerable leakage around the tail gates. It is understood that the lock drained so rapidly that the crew were not able to rectify the situation in time. Fortunately, no-one was hurt in the incident.

The boat owner arrived and assisted BW ground staff in re-floating the boat. This was done by sealing the front doors and vents and carefully re-filling the lock. The well deck took on water but the boat floated as the levels rose.

Nb Dizzy in Lock 9w.


Nb Dizzy lives up to its name, pivoting on the lock cill.


The pounds above and below the lock were drained to facilitate the recovery.


Doors and vents sealed, the water level is carefully raised.


Nb Dizzy afloat once more, although low in the water, having taken on water.


The excessive leakage around the tail gates may have contributed to the incident.

Huddersfield Stoppage as boat sinks

Boaters on the western half of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal face possible delays after a boat sank in Lock 9w near Black Rock, Millbrook.

British Waterways, whose local maintenance depot is only half a mile from the lock, are draining the pounds above and below the lock in order to recover the boat. The pound below is half a mile in length so re-filling the pounds afterwards will take a little time.

Boaters are asked to moor above Lock 10w at Scout Embankment or below Lock 7w in Stalybridge town centre and await instructions from BW staff. It is expected that the pounds could re-open around 12.00 noon on Tuesday 16th August.

Update:
The boat has been re-floated and BW staff have begun re-filling  the pounds. The canal could be passable again some time on Tuesday morning, as long as the cill has not been damaged.

See photos of the stricken boat and the recovery operation.


nb Dizzy stuck in Lock 9W

Stoppage in Wigan for investigation

Boaters in Wigan face a delay on Thursday if they are travelling between the Wigan Junction and Wigan Pier.

The two locks between Wigan Junction and Wigan Pier (Locks 86 and 87) and the pound between them will be closed on Thursday 11th August. It is necessary to de-water Lock 86 to investigate a reported obstruction in the water.

It is not known how many hours the stoppage will last. BW staff will be on hand at Locks 86 and 87 to advise boaters.

Poolstock Locks and the main Wigan flight will not be affected by this stoppage.


Henhurst Lock, 86, Wigan

Delays for lock investigations

Boaters on two Yorkshire canals face delays while BW carry out emergency investigations of leaking locks.

Oddy Locks, on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Leeds, will be closed for 5 hours tomorrow (Tuesday 9th August). This is to allow the lower of the two locks to be de-watered in order to carry out urgent repairs to prevent leaks.
BW also needs to conduct a thorough investigation of the lower gate cill and lock floor after damage was reported last Friday.
Boats should wait above Newlay Locks or below Office Lock until the canal is re-opened at lunch time.

Lock 1e on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in Huddersfield will be closed on Thursday 11th August between 8.00 am and 4.00 pm. This is to allow the lock to be de-watered in order to investigate leakage from the chamber.
Boats should wait above or below this lock until it is re-opened. In practice, boaters heading westwards up the canal would not want to start late afternoon and would be better setting off very early, before the lock is closed, or waiting until the next day.


Lock 1e, Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Sheffield Stoppage

Sheffield is currently cut off from the waterways network by a stoppage at Tinsley Locks on the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal.

British Waterways say that paddle sluices at Locks 7 and 8 on the Tinsley lock flight are 'inoperable', meaning that passage through the locks is not currently possible.

Repair works will start shortly and BW will issue an update on progress..

Any enquiries about this stoppage should be made to British Waterways on 0113 281 6860.

Update 12th August:
Works have now been completed. The flight will reopen as soon as water levels to return to normal.


Tinsley Locks

Restrictions on Rochdale Nine

British Waterways have warned that work to be carried out on the "Rochdale Nine" in Manchester will result in restricted opening hours for two weeks.

The work will affect Locks 86 and 87 of the Rochdale Canal, alongside Canal Street in Manchester.

On alternate days these locks will not be open until 3.00 pm. On the other days the locks will be open from 8.00 am. The locks will close at 8.00 pm each day.

BW staff will assist boaters through these two locks as access will be restricted.

The restrictions will apply from Wednesday 10th August and continue for up to ten days, until work is completed. The restrictions will not apply at weekends.

The opening hours for Locks 86 and 87 are expected to be:
 •   Wednesday 10th August - open 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm
 •   Thursday 11th August - open 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
 •   Friday 12th August - open 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Saturday 13th August - no restriction
Sunday 14th August - no restriction
 •   Monday 15th August - open 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm
 •   Tuesday 16th August - open 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
 •   Wednesday 17th August - open 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm
 •   Thursday 18th August - open 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
 •   Friday 19th August - open 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Saturday 20th August - no restriction
Sunday 21st August - no restriction
 •   Monday 23rd August - open 8.00 am to 8.00 pm

Please look for local notices or check with BW if you may be affected by the late opening. Pennine Waterways website has no control over any changes to the announced plan.

Any enquiries about these restrictions should be made to British Waterways on 01782 785703.

Update 10th August:
British Waterways has offered additional advice to boaters.
On Friday 12th, Monday 15th, Wednesday 17th and Friday 19th August, boaters wishing to use the 'Rochdale Nine' should arrive at either Lock 84 (at Dale Street) or Lock 91 (at Castlefield) by 1.30 pm to reach the restricted section by the time it re-opens and to ensure safe passage of the flight. Arrival at these points after 1.30 pm on these dates will mean that passage will not be possible until the following day and you are advised to find a safe mooring away from the flight.

On all other dates including Saturday and Sunday (13th & 14th) the canal will remain open normally (i.e. from 8.00 am).

BW's recommendation to be clear of the 'Rochdale Nine' flight by 4.00 pm each day still applies but will be reviewed in the event of any further civil disturbance in the city.

Update 12th August: Important!
British Waterways has now changed the above advice. It would appear that the restrictions now also apply on Tuesday 16th and Thursday 18th August in addition to the dates shown above.

In other words, restricted passage through these locks will apply each day next week, Monday 15th to Friday 19th August inclusive.

If you are intending to go through the 'Rochdale Nine' locks next week, please phone BW on 01782 785703 to arrange assisted passage.


Lock 86, Rochdale Canal

Police Close Canal Near Leeds

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal has been closed just west of Leeds while the police carry out an investigation.

The canal has been closed to navigation between Lock 13 at Newlay and Lock 7 at Kirkstall.

Boaters should remain moored above Newlay Locks or below Office Lock in Leeds until the canal has been re-opened.

The towpath is also closed.

An update will be issued tomorrow (2nd August). Any enquiries about this stoppage should be made to British Waterways on 01942 405700.

Update, 8.00 am 2nd August:
The canal and towpath have now been re-opened.


Newlay Locks, Leeds and Liverpool Canal