First of three stranded narrow boats refloated after Shropshire canal breach

Waterways engineers working alongside the Canal and River Trust refill an area of canal containing the Pacemaker boat, as they begin repairs to a large “sinkhole” which breached a canal in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch, Shropshire in December. Picture date: Tuesday January 13, 2026. - (PA Wire)

A narrow boat left high and dry by a pre-Christmas canal bank collapse has been successfully refloated by waterways engineers.

The stern of the Pacemaker was left hanging precariously over a 50-metre-long “sinkhole” in Whitchurch, Shropshire, three weeks ago, after an incident its owner likened to being caught in a waterfall.