What is the Community Boat?
The Swansea Community Boat will carry up to 50 passengers. It will have disabled access, galley, toilet and washroom, etc. This “floating classroom” will be a resource for school pupils and for lifelong learning. In addition to volunteers, staff will be employed to manage the trips and events.
Based at the Swansea Marina, the Swansea Community Boat will operate on an existing waterway – the Tawe River Navigation – and the project will support the regeneration of local communities, through the rebirth of their historic waterway.
Boat Specification
To suit the vessel for a variety of roles, it will be fitted to a very high standard. Travelling on the boat will be a pleasant experience for both our client groups and our Sponsors. A fully enclosed cabin and central heating will make trips less dependent on the weather. A small galley will offer basic refreshments, though community groups and Sponsors will be able to make their own arrangements.
The Community Boat will meet the requirements of the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA), to be licensed as a passenger vessel. As the River Tawe and Swansea Docks are “Category B Waters”, the MCA regulations require a specially designed boat with built-in floatation. The “categories” are based on factors such as depth of water and likely hazard if the hull is holed.
Generating revenue will achieve economic sustainability for the community boat project. Running costs for the project will come from:
- Schools and Community groups on trips
- The general public coming on boat trips fron the National Waterfront Museum at Swansea Marina
- Corporate and agency hospitality events, perhaps linked to visits to the Liberty Stadium, or venues at Swansea Waterfront
- Sponsorhip by the local business community
- Regular contributions by individual members of the Trust (“Friends”)
- Bookings for private functions (birthdays, weddings, etc)
- Special interest organisations on outings – industrial heritage, conservation, etc
A charitable trust will manage the Swansea Community Boat, working closely with the City and County of Swansea, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Swansea Museum Service, National Waterfront Museum, Welsh Assembly Government, Communities First Development Trust, local canal societies, and others.
This project has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government
Find out about the Tawe River Navigation Heritage Trail
Could you tell me if the new boat is capable of taking electric wheelchairs without the need for the occupant to vacate the chair ? I am thinking of my mother who (following a fall systaining major head injuries) is unable to move, feed or speak and so cannot be moved from the chair without the use of a specialist hoist and sling. I have been looking for opportunities for her to get out and about as she is rarely able to do so due to her condition and thought that a canal boat trip would enhance her quality of life.
Many thanks for your comment. We are currently in the process of applying for a grant to enable us to install a wheelchair lift to enable full access to wheelchair users, as well as installing accessible toilet facilities – it is one of our main priorities now that we have secured the boat itself.
I am unable to give any exact dates as yet, but we hope to be up and running by this summer. If you keep an eye on this website, or subscribe by email, you can find out what has been happening and when the first tours will run.