About Us

Safe Anchor Trust is a registered charity and was established in 1995.

Our aim is to provide enjoyable, safe and therapeutic boat trips for those in our community who are disadvantaged through physical or mental disabilities, social isolation, age or social deprivation. We are fortunate to be able to cruise on one of the country’s most picturesque and interesting waterways, while travelling in “canal time” provides a quiet and calming experience for our passengers. Supported by the Canal & River Trust, we also help to maintain our local waterways and surrounding environment.

We operate from the beginning of March to the end of October, 7 days a week. During this period our boats will carry around 10,000 passengers. Trips are tailored to meet individual needs with the overall duration being determined by each group.

We offer our service free of charge to community groups and are proud that all our operations are carried out by unpaid volunteers. We survive on donations, which are very gratefully received, and are used entirely to cover the running costs and maintenance of the boats.

There are four boats in our fleet including 2 broad beam boats specially designed for wheelchair users or passengers with mobility difficulties. Each boat, by law, can carry a maximum of 12 passengers with larger groups being accommodated on additional boats. All boats have toilets and four have cooking facilities.

All our boats are skippered by a qualified volunteer helmsman and trained crew. All volunteers have been cleared by the UK Disclosure and Barring Service.