For the first time since 2019, a passenger trip has been carried out aboard the Kenavon Venture.

Measuring at 60 feet long and 10 feet wide, the boat has been moored for over a year due to covid restrictions.

Volunteers have this week been able to restart journeys along the Kennet and Avon Canal and say they are "delighted" to be back on the water.

The first passenger-carrying trip set off at 2pm on June 2.

Graham Day said: "We are just starting up, and have a limited capacity due to covid. We've moved things about a little, and now have five different tables and four people maximum at each table.

"We've had to take crew numbers into account as well, as if it is an ordinary trip we have four crew, and if it's a lock trip then we have about six.

This Is Wiltshire:

"We're all really excited to get back to it and welcome people aboard, it really is a special boat."

Money raised from ticket sales all go back into the work of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, which works to promote the Kennet and Avon Canal to the benefit of all its users, the communities through which it passes, and its heritage.

Currently, the Kenavon Venture is departing from Devizes Wharf every Sunday and Wednesday from June 2 to October 31.

A toilet is available on board as well as refreshments. For more information go to https://kv.katrust.org.uk/kenavon-venture-trips/trips/

Graham added: "The boat is owned and operated by the Trust but every trip is run by dedicated volunteers.

This Is Wiltshire:

"Because this operation is regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, you have to abide by those regulations and restrictions, which includes having every trip led by a boat master, who holds a boat master licence.

"We train people to run the helm and we have other crew in the galley."

The roles aboard the boat are as follows:

  • Boatmaster (the boat “captain”)
  • Helm person (drives the boat)
  • Outside crew member (helps the Helm manage the movement of the boat)
  • Inside crew member (looks after passengers and serves in the galley)
  • Locker (operates the locks)

The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust also owns the ‘Barbara McLellan’ (Bradford on Avon), ‘Rose of Hungerford’ (Hungerford), ‘Jubilee’ (Newbury) and ‘Matilda’ (Reading).