Low water levels in 2025 lead to fewer canal rescues
RCR attends a grounding in July 2025.
River Canal Rescue (RCR) reports it responded to 123 major incidents in 2025 – emergency situations involving mainly grounded boats – less than the 171 reported in 2024.
Last year also saw fewer general call outs – 2,057 down from 3,485 – for incidents including electrical, fuel and engine issues, flat batteries, over-heating and gear box failures. Around 500 were return visits organised by RCR’s ‘Plus’ service for work, including: plumbing and electrical installations, gearbox replacements, inverter, solar installations and general engine maintenance.
RCR managing director, Stephanie Horton, says the 28 per cent and 41 per cent drop in major and minor call outs is primarily due to low levels on the canal system and people unable to move.
Horton comments: “Although low water levels bought certain parts of the inland waterway system to a standstill, at least it resulted in fewer call-out situations for boaters.”
The company’s engineers responded to 87 per cent of call-outs – 13 per cent were handled by approved-contractors – and undertook 544 combined engine service and inspections, 8 per cent fewer than the 592 a year earlier.
RCR subsidiary, Key Diesels, whose team fits and supplies new and refurbished engines nationwide, sold 16 new and used engines direct to customers, a 64 per cent drop from 2024, which RCR says is indicative of the impact of the financial crisis.
