OnTheCut

Ariel Canal Picture

đź‘‹ Welcome to OnTheCut.net

OnTheCut is a website for boaters on the UK canal network. Providing a map of the inland waterways, notices archive, and news.

Map

Interactive map of the UK inland waterways.

Notices

Notice archive from the Canal & River Trust.

Latest News

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Latest news aggregated from various canal related sources.

Boaters stuck at Foxton Locks due to low water levels

Boaters stuck at Foxton Locks due to low water levels

9 August 2025 - BBC News

Foxton Locks was temporarily closed on 29 July and some boats are now stuck in the bottom lock.

Avoiding lock hang ups and sinkings

Avoiding lock hang ups and sinkings

9 August 2025 - Canal Junction

Every year, lock cills catch boaters unaware, no matter how experienced they are. Once a vessel’s caught on a cill it can cause the rudder to pop out of the cup, which is easily resolved. However, in many cases it results in damage to the skeg, rudder and bearings, and the boat needs to be towed and dry-docked to have the damage repaired. There’s also a risk of taking on water and the boat sinking. Lock cill in a broad lock , explains what to do if your boat’s caught on a cill: “Cills protrude below the water, close to the top gates of most canal locks. If you’re travelling downhill in the lock chamber and your stern, ie rudder, gets caught on the cill, when the water recedes, only the bow of your boat will lower with the water level, leaving the stern raised up. Sinking or capsizing can happen in seconds.  chief rescue co-ordinator,  River Canal Rescue Pete Barnett If you’re aware the stern’s caught, close the bottom gate paddles to stop the water receding further and slowly open the top gate paddles to refill the lock. Hopefully, there will not be any damage, or at least you will be able to remove it from the lock and get some technical assistance.” But if the boat has suffered serious damage and you can’t remove it from the lock, Pete recommends that you ensure everyone in your crew is safe and then contact the Canal & River Trust, who will send out a team to assess the site, contain pollution and ensure your boat isn’t causing a navigational hazard. If your boat’s on the River Thames or other river navigation, you may need to contact the Environment Agency if the CRT does not have jurisdiction. In either case, the EA and CRT should work in tandem with recovery specialists to get your boat moved as quickly as possible. If you are on a hire boat you must inform the hire firm. If you own the boat you must contact your insurer who will ask for a specialist recovery firm to salvage the craft. It’s likely the RCR Canal Contracting team will appear on the scene as they’re authorised to handle claims for most of the UK’s leading boat insurers. Once the boat is raised, the cause of the sinking will need to be identified by an engineer or surveyor before the claim’s accepted. All contractors have to meet the CRT’s/EA’s risk management requirements, otherwise they’ll not be given permission to raise the vessel. Not all lock sinkings are caused by the boat stern sitting on the cill while descending a lock. A boat going uphill can get its   under a projection on the top gate, leaving the stern to rise with the water level. If this happens, close the top paddles to stop the water level rising and open the bottom gate paddles to allow the water level to fall until the boat can be moved away from the top gate. bow or bow fender stuck Boats can sometimes  , especially if your side fenders have not been lifted before locking. When it happens you should drop all the paddles and assess the situation. Then, if the boat is sitting on top of a projection, slowly let in more water, or drain water if it is caught beneath a projection. jam on a projection from a lock wall  a narrowboat may jam by twisting across the lock, so keep boats roped close to the wall. Two narrowboats sharing a lock canal also become twisted and jam. Drop all the paddles and assess what is happening. Then slowly add or remove water until the boats are free. In broad locks If your   or tied when the boat is descending a lock it can cause a boat to get hung up and possibly jammed by the boat listing over. Let water in slowly to see if it frees the boat. ropes get jammed Boats have also been sunk by boaters   and swamping the foredeck. If a lock has gate paddles always open the ground paddles first and only open the gate paddles when the water from the gate paddle is below the hull level. opening gate paddles too early Don’t try to force a boat free free using boat poles or ropes. Equalise the water level until the boat(s) floats normally. Jammed boats can be under a lot of pressure from the water and their own weight, and this can release violently.  Most people consider the safest position in a lock for a leisure boat is in the middle of the lock, not close to the top or  bottom gates. Many boaters will use a centre rope to help the engines maintain a central position. See our  . Safe Locking advice pages Thanks to   for most of the information on this page. River Canal Rescue

Latest Vlogs

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A collection of vlogs from the UK canal network.

A Sweet Treat, a Pint, and a Few Locks – Narrowboat Life

A Sweet Treat, a Pint, and a Few Locks – Narrowboat Life

9 August 2025 - Never Two Late,Our Narrowboat Journey

In this vlog, we enjoy a peaceful cruise along the Trent and Mersey Canal, working our way through two locks as we head towards the lovely village of Weston. Along...

Epic Widebeam FAIL in Windsor + Canal Boaters for Change Update! | 192

Epic Widebeam FAIL in Windsor + Canal Boaters for Change Update! | 192

9 August 2025 - Widebeam and Wellingtons

Today we’ve got a double feature for you: a boating blunder and a big update! 🚤 We kick things off by attempting to leave the far side of Baths Island...