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Our Holiday Boats


Canal boat Holidays
to enjoy all the year round

Do I Qualify?
for
Canal boat hire
from the Project?

Guide Posts
What the Guide Posts Guild got up to on their canal boat day trip

To hire a canal boat contact Wendy
01279 424444

Canal Boat Training Courses

Our boats are available on a self-steer hire basis to families and groups with a suitably qualified or experienced helmsman. For those with less experience we can usually provide the necessary training before your hire period.

We are an accredited National Community Boats Association (NCBA) training centre and also offer canal boat training courses leading to nationally recognised NCBA qualifications :
Certificate of Community Boat Management CCBM
Complete Crew Certificate (CCC)
Basic Boat Handling

What Training will you need to hire our boats ?

If you have previously skippered the same boat that is being hired.
Relevant course : Meet & Greet

If you have a current formal qualification in boat handling. These are:
- Boatmaster
- Certificate of Community Boat Management (CCBM)
- NCBA Boat Handling Certificate
- Royal Yacht Association Helmsman certificate
Relevant course : Familiarisation

If you have no formal qualification but do have significant experience in handling a canalboat (either narrow boat or broadbeam) This will include (but is not limited to) one of the following:
- a boat owner where the boat is powered by an in board engine and is designed for over night accommodation (i.e. large).
- a history of hiring and skippering a boat for a period of at least one week.
- Regular skipper of a community boat
Relevant course : Familiarisation

If you have limited previous experience in handling a canal boat. Skippers of small craft or those having previous hiring experience but not as skipper would fall into this category.
Relevant course : Familiarisation plus + attendance at a practice day

If you have no previous experience
Relevant course : Familiarisation plus + attendance at a practice day

If you are to act as a skipper for a group who are not your family or friends
Relevant Course - CCBM

If you are to skipper a boat on tidal river waters Relevant Course - Tideway endorsement

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Familiarisation Course

This is a short (2 ½ hours) introduction to the boat at the start of your hire period. It covers the safe/correct use of the boat systems and navigation rules. It is appropriated for those who have some experience and will include a requirement to demonstrate boat handling skills to ensure that they meet our minimum safety standards.

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Familiarisation Plus

Recommended for those with limited previous experience. The familiarisation session is preceded by a period of practical training. This will be held some time before the hire period and, if it can be incorporated into our practice day schedules no extra charge will be made. Check with our admin team for details

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Competent Crew Certificate(CCC)

This is a nationally recognised qualification which can have the benefit of an Open College Certificate if required. It provides comprehensive training on all aspects of crew duties and is based on log book achievements over the 2 day course period.

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Certificate of Community Boat Management (CCBM)

This is a nationally recognised qualification and is a 2 day residential course held aboard one of our residential broadbeam boats. Candidates should be experienced helmsmen before undertaking this course.

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Basic Boathandling Certificate

Ideal for the novice wishing to navigate inland waterways with confidence. Also suitable for children age 12years and over This one day course will cover Boat and Personal safety, Helmsmanship, Basic engine checks, navigating locks and bridges, collision avoidance and care of the environment.

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