Bridges
Navigating a bog-standard bridge is not too difficult, as long as you recall the advice given in the How to steer chapter. You’ll need to remember that when you make the front of the boat turn right, the rear of the boat will turn left. Which means that you’ll need to correct the drift of the rear of the boat as you go under the arch of the bridge, because invariably the canal bends either before, after, or before and after the bridge.
Swing bridges
Swing bridges are treated similar to locks. They’ll be a spot to moor on the other side of the bridge where a boat can pull aside to let someone off who will swing the bridge aside.
At the least, there will be some sort of locking nut or chain that needs to be removed with a wrench, but some swing bridges may be locked, requiring a CRT key or handcuff key. In addition, there may be crossing guards that need to be put in place to prevent traffic or pedestrians from driving through the turned bridge.
Swing bridges are easy to turn—so easy in fact that you could accidentally slam them against the wooden or stone stops. You should slow the bridge as it reaches the end of its travel.
Lift bridges
Again, treat lift bridges like locks. You’ll need to send someone ahead to lift the bridge. Some bridges are raised and lowered by a rope (you may need someone tall enough and heavy enough to move the bridge), some have a hydraulic crank (it’s a bit tedious but effective) and some are operated electrically.
It’s important to fully raise a lift bridge before driving your boat through because the clearance is often minimal.
You may occasionally find lift and swing bridges that require an operator and you may need to call ahead to arrange a meeting.
The Standedge Tunnel on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is both the highest, longest (3.25 miles) and deepest canal tunnel in Britain. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. You need to arrange passage through the tunnel three days in advance.
Tunnels
Even if you’re not claustrophobic, canal tunnels are intimidating if you stop to consider the enormous weight resting on bricks laid two hundred years ago, if you stop to worry about the possibility of meeting a boat coming the other direction in the tunnel and if you worry about your engine dying halfway through.
Some tunnels have requirements/specifications boaters must adhere to or have signaling that controls traffic through the tunnel.
In general, you should ensure before entering a tunnel:
- That there are no oncoming boats already in the tunnel
- That the headlamp is lit
- That the driver has a torch/flashlight
- That all exposed flames are extinguished
- That some interior lighting is turned on
- That the horn has been sounded for at least two seconds
- That children and pets are safe
- That no one is doing anything stupid (sitting on the roof of the boat, dangling a leg over the side)
When possible, try to share the tunnel with other boats going the same direction.
After entering the tunnel:
- Don’t tailgate
- Don’t blind the driver with flash photography (happened to me)
Apparently some people have trouble keeping course, but I’ve never had that problem. The advice is to look at only one side of the tunnel instead of looking into the gloom ahead. Some tunnels curve as well.