Narrow boating
Download this
page as a pdf
See also
Description
The use of long, narrow boats for travelling
along canals and other waterways.
Who can
participate?
Open to all.
Some activity providers have their own age,
height and weight restrictions.
If staying overnight as part of a Holiday afloat, participants must be aged nine or
over.
Ratio of adults to
girls
Normal ratios for activities away from the
meeting place are required.
Guiding Manual ratios
If staying overnight on a narrow boat please
see Holiday afloat in the residential
events section of the A–Z of activities for ratios, regulations and
advice.
Regulations
- The Leader must ensure that all participants
under 18 have written permission to take part from an adult with
parental responsibility.
- The local Commissioner must be informed that
the activity is taking place.
- Carry out a risk
assessment for the activity.
- Ensure the required buoyancy aids/life jackets are used when on
deck.
The Leader must:
- ensure that safety rules and alarm signals
have been explained to the participants
- be satisfied that everyone understands the
need for instructions to be obeyed immediately
- follow the guidelines in the Water
Safety Code and ensure that the responsible adult helpers
are familiar with them
- ensure that the water is suitable for the
activity, seeking advice if necessary
- decide on the day, with the instructor(s),
whether conditions are safe for the activity.
Instructor
qualifications
Instructors should hold the qualification from
Girlguiding UK’s Training Opportunities: Power-cruising
Scheme as applicable to the nature of the activity (see
below).
| Powered craft on a canal |
Powered craft on a river |
Powered craft on tidal water |
| Modules 1 and 2 |
Modules 1 and 3 |
Modules 1 and 4 |
If alternative qualifications are held, please
seek advice from your Outdoor Activities Adviser or Boating Adviser
or contact activities@girlguiding.org.uk.
Learning and development
opportunities
Click here to find out more about Girlguiding UK's learning and
development opportunities, including the Rowing Scheme and
Power-Cruising Scheme.
Useful
information
When hiring a narrow boat with a skipper,
ensure that they are appropriately experienced and competent, and
ensure the boat is adequately insured and in good condition.
If either the Leader or the instructor is not
satisfied that the conditions are safe, the activity must be
abandoned.
The Leader should ensure each participant (or
her parent if the participant is under 18 years old) is aware of
the dangers and symptoms of Weil’s
disease and knows what action to take if infection is
suspected. On the day of the activity participants should be
advised to cover cuts and grazes with waterproof plasters to help
prevent infection.
Ensure that all participants have the correct
clothing and footwear.
Ensure that the provider has the correct size
buoyancy aids/life jackets for the
participants.
Operating locks can be hard work for younger
members, it is good practice to have an adult on the lock side to
supervise and/or assist with the operation of the lock gates,
ensuring girls operate the lock gates safely.
Useful websites
For information about canals, boating
and days out on the water, visit http://www.waterscape.com
For Girlguiding UK areas that own
boats or have them on a long-term let please see the information
on craft
certification.
Water and leisure safety advice from
the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
http://www.rospa.com/leisuresafety/adviceandinformation/watersafety (this
Page last updated:
10/14/2011