Oxford narrow boat: New move attempt fails
- Published
The narrow boats came loose from moorings on Monday.
Renewed attempts to move a narrow boat that crashed into a bridge after it came adrift in Oxford have failed.
Engineers attempted to pump water and tow the boat with a tractor, the Environment Agency said.
Two boats came loose on Monday, with one crashing into Botley Bridge and causing an obstruction.
One of the boats has been recovered. The remaining boat - which has partially sunk and weighs 25 tonnes - may need to removed by a crane.
The Environment Agency and fire service personnel have been working together to pump water out of the partially sunken boat
Work to pump water out of the boat on Tuesday "generated movement" and teams continued with the procedure in an attempt to move the boat on Wednesday.
Divers will attend on Thursday to secure floatation bags in a bid to refloat the boat, the environment agency said.
"If that fails, or is only partially successful, then we would be looking at some sort of crane operation - and that would be a huge crane" said Peter Collins of the Environment Agency.
The owner of the narrow boat has sought alternative accommodation, he added.
One of the boats has been removed
- Published21 March 2014
