Building for Birmingham games
AQUEDUCT
Marina has been asked by the Canal & River Trust to build a new boat in time for the Commonwealth Games in July in Birmingham.
The new boat, which will be called Aquarius II, will replace the original craft Aquarius. Despite this being the name of the mythical water carrier, this boat will be used for something somewhat less glamorous – to collect debris from the waterways in and around the Birmingham area during and after the games.
The engineers at Aqueduct are no strangers to building or refurbishing some of the trust’s fleet of workboats and it is this experience, coupled with the unique skillset of the workshop team, that helped the
Cheshire marina to be awarded the contract.
Marina MD Robert Parton said: “We are proud to be supporting the trust in its programme to bring the work boat fleet up to modern standards; this one is more interesting with its connection to the Commonwealth Games this summer.”
CRT plant and equipment manager Mick Carrington said: “Aquarius II is going to be another essential workboat for our fleet. It will be a vast improvement on the old craft, providing improved performance from its battery-powered electric propulsion drive and the welfare provisions have been updated to provide 240 volt electrics and toilet facilities.
“The timely arrival of the new craft will ensure, with the help of the trust’s dedicated volunteers, that Birmingham’s canals are looking their best as the city welcomes thousands of visitors for the Commonwealth Games.”
Aquarius is 35ft long and has battery-powered propulsion making it very environmentally friendly and quiet in operation.