Lancaster Canal Trust appeal for volunteers to run narrowboat trips on the canal

Narrowboat Waterwitch is owned and operated by the Lancaster Canal Trust and offers trips to the public on the Northern Reaches of the canal above the disused Tewitfield Locks.

Sadly the coronavirus pandemic meant the trip boat wasn’t able to operate in 2020 but the trust hopes to be sailing again as soon as Covid-19 restrictions allow and we need more crew.

In normal times volunteer crews run the trips from Crooklands on weekends and Bank Holidays May to September and work on a rota system.

The day starts at 10.30am and finishes by 5pm.

You can volunteer for as many (or few) hours you wish to suit you and your free time.

All crew are trained up to RYA /CMA standard and are awarded the Inland Helmsman certificate for passenger vessels on Category A waters (shallow, inland), on successful completion of training.

So if you have ever wanted to learn how to steer a narrowboat or if you have experience on canals already Lancaster Canal Trust would be happy to offer you the chance to work with them, and of course it’s not all work, they have a friendly crew and have a lot of fun.

There are certain medical and fitness requirements but if you are able bodied enough to lift 30 kg and climb a 2 metre ladder then you will pass.

Basic first aid and CPR training are included in the course and the trust will pay for all training, so if you are interested please feel free to contact the trip boat manager, Ian Treanor on 07936431555 or email [email protected].