International Rescue On Canal

[Alan de Enfield]

From NBW

 

RCR to rescue stranded cruisers in France

Published: Sunday, 28 October 2018

FOLLOWING the recent flash flooding in France, River Canal Rescue has been called upon to rescue stranded boats.

The flooding occurred in the Aude region in south western France, where 13 people are reported to have died, River Canal Rescue has been called upon to assist in the recovery of a number of vessels stranded in the Canal du Midi.

In precarious positions

There were initially 21 vessels stranded, but most of these have been recovered and suffered only minor damage. Six vessels however suffered major damage and three are still in precarious positions.

The GRP cruisers, valued between £50,000 and £180,000, are insured with one of RCR’s insurance partners, and with no local businesses having the recovery experience of the breakdown and emergency assistance firm, directors Stephanie Horton and Trevor Forman are flying to the area to assess the damage and potential costs, and advise on next steps, with
Stephanie explaining:

Three need recovering

“The boats belong to one of the largest EU hire firms and while they’ve managed to refloat three of their damaged vessels, three others need recovering. One is currently positioned with its stern in the water and bow vertically out of the water, it’s suffered hull damage and as the engine has been underwater for some time, it will need first-aiding.

“The other two have their sterns caught on the bank, so currently only minor damage, but once lifted out we’ll know more. The biggest issue will be getting cranes in to the area as the emphasis is on restoring water and power to homes, and repairing roads.

“At this stage it’s about assessing what damage has been sustained to the vessels that were sunk, ascertaining the cost of repairs and implementing as many measures as necessary to reduce and minimise damage.”

“Once we’re there we’ll look at what options we have and whether we need to bring our rescue team’s out.”

Breach emptied canal

Three months of rain fell in a few hours on the 15th October causing widespread devastation and later a breach that emptied the canal, leaving RCR with a number of challenges to overcome.

 

[MtB]

Interesting expansion of their operation, RCR getting involved in refloating stranded boats. Their core business is fixing breakdowns which is pretty different really. I'd have thought crane companies who move boats would be a better fit for this type of work.

 

I gather there is a coastal organisation for seagoing boats that does much the same as RCR, called SEASTART or something similar.  I wonder if they do this type of stranded boat rescue stuff too...

[Alan de Enfield]

6 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

Interesting expansion of their operation, RCR getting involved in refloating stranded boats. Their core business is fixing breakdowns which is pretty different really. I'd have thought crane companies who move boats would be a better fit for this type of work.

 

I gather there is a coastal organisation for seagoing boats that does much the same as RCR, called SEASTART or something similar.  I wonder if they do this type of stranded boat rescue stuff too...

Very limited coverage.

 

 

[Athy]

Startling pictures! I had not heard about these floods (though a comment in another thread gave a bit of an inkling). Three months' worth of rain in a few hours? Even allowing for journalistic hyperbole, that's quite some precipitation.

[Tim Lewis]

2 hours ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

Interesting expansion of their operation, RCR getting involved in refloating stranded boats. Their core business is fixing breakdowns which is pretty different really. I'd have thought crane companies who move boats would be a better fit for this type of work.

 

I gather there is a coastal organisation for seagoing boats that does much the same as RCR, called SEASTART or something similar.  I wonder if they do this type of stranded boat rescue stuff too...

RCR have been in the boat reflaoting business for a few years now, I believe that they have a contract with CRT for boat recovery

 

http://www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk/2018/01/18/rescue-figures-increase/#.W9XHFvZ2uUk

 

http://www.canaljunction.com/news/sunken-boats-should-be-floated-more-quickly/2386

 

http://www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk/other-services/rescues-refloats-emergencies/

 

Edited October 28, 2018 by Tim Lewis