River Canal Rescue

River Canal Rescue: assistance and repair for boats on the UK's inland waterways

River Canal Rescue (RCR) operates as a breakdown assistance service for boats across all UK inland waterways. Its model is based on annual memberships, with a cost the company presents from £85 per year, equivalent to less than £1.65 per week via monthly direct debit. The service sends a qualified engineer to the boat to provide up to two hours of mechanical and electrical assistance, with the aim of resolving the breakdown on site.

The company states it directly attends over 75% of callouts and complements its cover with a nationwide network of vetted contractors. According to the data it publishes, over 90% of its customers rate the service as excellent, callouts are attended the same day at a rate it does not specify, and an equally unspecified percentage of breakdowns are fixed on the first visit.

Memberships and replacement parts cover

RCR structures its offering into three membership tiers: Bronze, Silver and Gold. All of them include Replacement Parts Cover (RPC), a benefit that covers the cost of replacing major components when they fail, such as alternators or starter motors. The company warns that RPC activates 30 days after joining, so it recommends signing up in advance.

Among the benefits included in the memberships are:

• Breakdown assistance and recovery.
• Home-start: cover at your home mooring.
• Crew Relay: transfer of the crew to their home base.
• Annual inspection of the engine and electrical system.
• Crisis coordination and assistance.
• Outboard pick-up and drop-off service.
• Provisions pick-up service.
• Practical and technical telephone assistance.
• Parts delivery.
• Enhanced features on the WaterNav app and web.

Technical services: inspections, servicing and replacement

The company carries out engine and electrical system inspections via a 21-point check, after which the engineer provides a written report on the engine's condition. It also offers engine servicing and replacement of engines and gearboxes. These servicing and inspection works are carried out during an exclusive period from mid-September to mid-March each year.

In addition, RCR provides rescue and salvage services, and markets BilgeAway, a filter the company presents as the world's first eco-friendly one, designed to prevent fuel and oil pollution from bilge water.

Training and resources for boaters

The company maintains a training line of activity with courses for boaters. It also publishes advisory content on boat maintenance, buying a secondhand boat, how to bleed your engine, reducing common risks and breakdown guides. On its blog it covers topics such as stove maintenance, protection against winter downpours, winterising your boat, lock safety and the risks of grounding.

Track record and innovation in the sector

The company traces its origin to an idea that came from a recurring dream of its CEO, which gave rise to a business the company itself describes as one of the UK's most influential and respected small businesses. RCR presents itself as a player that sets standards and introduces technology in the sector, with milestones such as the implementation of CRM databases, electronic mapping, app-based customer account systems, fuel treatments, telematics, towing tools and replacement parts cover. The company states it is currently working on a remote monitoring system.

In the workplace, RCR highlights its commitment to apprenticeship schemes and staff retention. It notes that it has been recognised among the top 100 UK businesses for apprentices and that all members of its senior team are either founders or started as apprentices. The company stresses that its engineers are among the most qualified in the sector globally, with a diverse knowledge base, and that it carefully selects its collaborators.