The Association of Pleasure Craft Operators

The APCO Guide to Inland Waterway Boating Holidays

New APCO acting chairman champions Britain’s inland waterways boating network

The Association of Pleasure Craft Operators (APCO) is carefully monitoring the transition of Britain’s inland waterways into a new charity, the Canal & River Trust (CRT). The businesses and livelihood of APCO members is critically dependant upon the canals and rivers of England and Wales being fully maintained as a connected network of navigations.

APCO members gathered for the Association’s AGM and Autumn Conference at the end of November in Llangollen, at a hotel beside the River Dee with views to the town’s historic canal wharf and horse drawn trip boats.

APCO Chairman Nigel Hamilton concluded his three years in office, reporting: “2011 has been a challenging year, with members reporting final booking levels as pleasing after a worrying start. Greater challenges are ahead for our industry, as British Waterways (BW) transmogrifies into CRT and there are increasing economic pressures on disposable incomes. However, looking forward there are great opportunities to actively engage with how the navigation authorities function, and to capitalise on the changing ways people choose and pay for their holidays. We have a unique product, and the Olympic and Jubilee year of 2012 is a fantastic opportunity to capture the public imagination and entice them to enjoy Britain aboard a boat on the water.”

Proceedings were then overseen by new acting chairman Tim Parker, who was introduced with a brief insight into his successful development of narrow boat holiday company Black Prince from 1987 through to retiring in 2010. APCO members enjoyed a full day of discussion and informative workshops. British Marine Federation President Alan Morgan outlined parliamentary lobbying and business finance dialogues before Executive Director Howard Pridding introduced the BMF team focussing on tourism, boat grading and quality standard schemes, and new website developments to encourage boating. Other topics included BW Operator Agreements, Revenue & Yield Management and how to manage your business reputation online using Social Media.

Transition Trustee Lynne Berry was invited to give an overview of the Trustees’ work preparing for the launch of CRT. Lynne responded to APCO members’ many questions, agreeing that Britain’s inland waterways are an “extraordinary network” and that it is “the network that matters … because it is what makes them different and so special, allowing people to do it all by water”. She went on to confirm to APCO members that the Trustees are “as committed to the network as you are” and in future “would like that network to expand”.

The Hotel Boat division of APCO invited the BW North Wales & Borders team to the event and presented their prestigious Lock Keeper of the Year award to Bryn Jones, British Waterways’ lock keeper at Saltersford Locks on the River Weaver (see report below). The industry visit to Llangollen was also opportunity for members to experience the canal’s world heritage site and cruise across Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on a trip boat from Llangollen Wharf. The Royal Hotel hosted a dinner for the trade association, whilst the APCO conference venue was The Hand Hotel with members also enjoying an informal meal at The Corn Mill.

New APCO acting chairman Tim Parker concluded the event, urging members to take all the opportunities presented by the new waterways charity and forthcoming events, “Pleasure boat operators and the marine industry have to work with BW more closely. APCO members have a wealth of waterways knowledge and business experience that we can contribute to the Waterways Partnerships that will play a role in managing our canals and rivers in the future. I urge you to join your local partnership; keep in touch through our industry networks and continue championing boating on the whole inland waterways network. Get in and get going as BW transitions to CRT.”

Hotel Boats honour River Weaver Lock Keeper with top APCO award

The Hotel Boat section of the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators (APCO) has awarded their prestigious Lock Keeper of the Year award for 2011 to Bryn Jones, British Waterways’ lock keeper at Saltersford Locks on the River Weaver.

Recipients are nominated and voted for by all APCO Hotel Boat operators so that they can recognise the support and assistance they receive from the people working ‘on the ground’ as they take holidaymakers around Britain’s inland waterways. The award was presented at the Association’s recent national AGM, held this year in Llangollen at a hotel beside the River Dee, with views to the town’s historic canal wharf and horse drawn trip boats.

Neil Thomsett and Gill Cookson, joint Chairmen of the Hotel Boat section of APCO, presented the award to Bryn, who was joined by British Waterways North Wales & Borders colleagues Wendy Capelle (Waterway Manager) and Stephen Maguire (Customer Service Supervisor).

Neil thanked Bryn for all his hard work, great humour and invaluable information, commenting, “The Weaver navigation is such a lovely river – beautiful Cheshire countryside, fascinating industry and the drama of descending the Anderton Boat Lift and entering the vastness of Saltersford Lock. Bryn is always on hand to answer holidaymakers’ questions and help hotel boat crews as he works us through. Saltersford is a big deep lock and our safety is paramount for Bryn, whilst he imparts amazing statistics and history to our clients marvelling at the 1.4 million gallons of water the lock holds. Meanwhile he is a fantastic ambassador for the area around the Weaver, showering holidaymakers with tourism information and guiding us to local amenities. Plus anything he doesn’t already know he will find out and pass on as we return up river! A great welcome, a wealth of information and fantastic support in maintaining our schedules as hotel boat holidaymakers enjoy the excitement of the River Weaver.”

Bryn has worked for British Waterways for almost 30 years and has over 20 years experience as a Lock Keeper. He is familiar with the whole of the River Weaver navigation, working as relief lock and bridge keeper before taking responsibility for Saltersford Locks. Bryn was delighted to receive the award explaining, “I am honoured to win the award on behalf of the Weaver team, it is a first for the river and it is wonderful to hear how the experience of boating the River Weaver and the service that BW give is so appreciated by the hotel boat holidaymakers and crews.”