Trip boat Zachariah Keppel was brought home safely yesterday (June 17th) after having been sent away for repairs in January.
The boat was transported by lorry from All 4 Marine in Chertsey to the wharf at Loxwood, where it was lifted by crane over the towpath and into the canal.
The unusual sight of an eight-tonne narrowboat flying through the air created quite a stir, and was filmed by a BBC South team for a piece on that evening's programme. Director John Reynolds and Press and Publications Manager Gill Davies were interviewed for the programme, which looked at the benefits of canal restoration and the impact of coronavirus on the Trust.
Now that ZK is back home, volunteers will replace her ballast and floors, making her ready to take passengers when government restrictions allow. With some rusty internal fittings replaced and the hull buffed off internally and externally, primed and painted with black bitumastic paint, the boat should have another 10-15 years of life.
