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The Swansea Community Boat will carry up to 36 passengers. It will have disabled access, a galley,  disabled toilet, etc. This "floating classroom" will be a resource for school pupils and for lifelong learning. In addition to volunteers, staff will be employed to manage the trips and events.

Based at Swansea Marina, the Swansea Community Boat will operate on an existing waterway - the Tawe River Navigation - and the project will support the regeneration of local communities, through the rebirth of their historic waterway.

 

The Trust might purchase an existing vessel, like this wide beam river boat.

 

Boat Specification

To suit the vessel for a variety of roles, it will be fitted to a high standard. Travelling on the boat will be a pleasant experience for both our client groups and our sponsors. A fully enclosed cabin and central heating will make trips less dependent on the weather. A small galley will offer basic refreshments, though community groups and sponsors will be able to make their own arrangements.

 

The community boat will meet the requirements of the Maritime Coastguard Agency, to be licensed as a passenger vessel. As the River Tawe and Swansea Docks are “Category B Waters”, the MCA regulations require a specially designed boat with built-in floatation. The “categories” are based on factors such as the depth of water and likely hazard if the hull is holed.

 

Interior of a boat presently available for sale.

 

Generating revenue will achieve economic sustainability for the community boat project. Running costs for the project will come from :
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Schools and Community groups on trips

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The general public coming on boat trips from the National Waterfront Museum at Swansea Marina

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Corporate and agency hospitality events, perhaps linked to visits to the Liberty Stadium, or venues at Swansea Waterfront

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Sponsorship by the local business community

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Regular contributions by individual members of the Trust (“Friends”)

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Bookings for private functions (birthdays, weddings, etc)

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Special interest organisations on outings – industrial heritage, conservation, etc.

 

A similar project - The West London Floating Classroom - has a purpose built boat.

A charitable trust will manage the Swansea Community Boat, working closely with the City and County of Swansea, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Swansea Museum Service, National Waterfront Museum,  Welsh Assembly Government, Communities First Development Trusts, local canal societies, and others.

 

Supported by Compact Funding  City and County of Swansea

Nov 2007

 

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E:mail to JAD@waterlinks.org.uk  with questions or comments about this web site.
Postal address:    SCBT, 8 Plas Cadwgan, Penllergaer, Swansea SA4 9AZ, Wales.
Last modified: Saturday, 03 November 2007