As the Union Canal’s summer cruising season nears its end, Seagull Trust Cruises is reminding boat owners, clubs and charities that its fully enclosed dry dock at Ratho is available for their own use when it is not being used by the charity’s own fleet.
The dry dock, the only facility of its kind on the Union Canal, sits at the charity’s Baird Road base and provides a roofed, protected environment ideal for autumn and winter maintenance. With the main cruising season finishing at the end of October, boat owners are encouraged to book early to secure a slot before Seagull Trust’s three passenger boats enter the dock for their annual overhaul.
The dock is made available from Saturday to Saturday for other canal charities, boat clubs and private owners. Its impressive size means draining down or refilling the dock typically takes between two and three hours.
The facility supports a wide range of essential maintenance tasks that can be carried out by the owners, including full hull inspections, out-of-water surveys, hull scraping and antifouling, below-waterline repairs, repainting with marine-grade coatings, engine servicing, propeller and rudder work, and general pre-winter preparation.
In response to increasing demand for above-waterline maintenance, the Trust has recently installed new fall-restraint systems, ‘Safe-Hold’ HLLR 31604 tension rope system to meet current working-at-height regulations.
Training will be available to ensure users have a safe experience while undertaking their vessel maintenance while in the dock facility. The equipment was very generously provided by an anonymous donor
Donations play an important role in supporting Seagull Trust Cruises’ free cruising programme, which carries thousands of passengers each year along the Union Canal. Boat owners wishing to secure time in the dock are advised to book early.
For bookings and enquiries:
Ratho Dry Dock Email: rathodrydock@gmail.com
Phone: 07847 611398
