Firefighters re-float narrowboat near Banbury after low water levels cause craft to list

The Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue crews assisted the canal boat owner near Bodicote when, after a significant drop in the canal water levels, the boat grounded on a ledge, listed and started taking on water.

Using submersible pumps, the crews were able to pump enough water out to work with the Canal and River Trust team to re-float the boat and use environmental protection equipment to soak up oil which had leaked onto the surface.

The drop in water levels was attributed to the paddles on the lock being left open which over a number of hours, dropped the canal water level enough to affect several moored boats.

Advice on keeping safe on the water is available at www.365alive.co.uk, and the work of the canal and river trust at https://canalrivertrust.org.uk