Skippers
Skippers volunteer for Angel Community Canalboat Trust. Several have a dual role and also volunteer at the museum. Boat operations are crewed by a combined team and we work closely with our partners at Angel. The role of skipper is a responsible role. All skippers have to hold the "Certificate in Community Boat Management" qualification before taking charge of boat with passengers aboard. Training to obtain this can be provided and we will support suitable candidates through the training at our discretion. The skipper is responsible for ensuring the safety of the boat and passengers, making checks to ensure reliability and for supervising everything that takes place whilst navigating on the canal. This includes taking charge of any additional crew and giving instructions. The role also involves talking to passengers and in many cases teaching them a few basic boating skills.People interested in training for this role, or who already hold the CCBM qualification, should get in touch either through the museum or direct with ACCT. Please note that if you apply for this role your details will be shared with our partner charities.
Boat Crew
On our longer trips where several locks have to be operated the skipper is assisted by a crew member whose role is to help with all aspects of the boat operation especially the operation of locks. The museum provides boat crew, most often on Wednesdays and Fridays when our longer trips operate. Training is normally given by accompanying a skipper who is able to teach on a trip, or sometimes we arrange dedicated training trips. For this role physical fitness is essential as lock gates are heavy, and ground conitions are sometimes poor, and you will be getting on and off the boat regularly. You will work with customers as well as assisting the skipper. It is common for customers to disembark and ask to help work locks and the crew must supervise and assist. We may sometimes also provide crew for the historic boat Tarporley when it is operating one of our historic boat trips.
