VOLUNTEERS from IWA Manchester Branch, WRG (North West), CRT and Tameside Canal Boat Trust took on the job of helping to load, distribute and then unload 153 bags of sand, each weighing 25kg.
This was carried out on Friday, July 5 as part of the ‘heel test’ required by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency before trip boat StillWaters could be certified to continue carrying passengers from Portland Basin.
The bags of sand are placed on board to simulate a full complement of passengers and the boat is then tested for stability by monitoring how the vessel rolls under these conditions.
The Tameside Canal Boat Trust operates the passenger narrowboat StillWaters from Heritage Wharf, Portland Basin, Ashton under Lyne for public trips and private hire. Trips can resume when the safety tests are complete.
