A lot of you will have seen the faces of our skippers cruising up and down the Leeds / Liverpool canal on our daily trips or possibly recognise them from a boat trip you’ve been on. Combined our skippers have a vast knowledge of the canal and local area that we are keen to share with you on your trip. Be it the history of Burscough or just a bit of local gossip. You can check out all our cruises here
Marc – 8 Years on the tiller
- What’s your role?
Sailing any of our three boats on multiple types of boat trips we offer. Passenger safety, welfare and enjoyment. I also look after Alfie Bhoy’s upkeep, appearance, technical checks and all consumables. Supporting our other skippers.
- What’s the best thing about your role?
Meeting our valued clients and doing my best to provide a memorable experience for them.
- How did you get into canal life?
I’m a photographer by trade and I was commissioned to shoot a typical day in Alfie Bhoy’s life – 9 years later I’m involved more than ever.
- What’s the hardest thing about canal life?
Nothing really although my least favourite thing is having to get rope or plastic bags off the propeller – especially in winter as the water is very cold.
- Best thing about working for LCC?
Very supportive employer, good team spirit, nice colleagues.
- Favourite moment/memory from work?
Meeting my future wife during a cruise.
- Worst moment/memory from work?
A certain hen party was somewhat challenging.
Graham – 10 years on the tiller
- What’s your role?
Skipper.
- What’s the best thing about your role?
The guests.
- How did you get into canal life?
Bought my own narrow boat 10 years ago.
- What’s the hardest thing about canal life?
Making sure the water, electric and fuel is all loaded and .. the toilet is emptied.
- Best thing about working for LCC?
Everyone helps each other out.
- Favourite moment/memory from work?
The 10 year olds birthday party, the girls all got dressed in their finest and all had a drive of the boat.
- Worst moment/memory from work?
The weather. The customers are always warm and dry but us skippers tend to get a little wet sometimes on the boat trips.
Rich – 2 years on the tiller
- What’s your role?
Owner and general dogsbody.
- What’s the best thing about your role?
I love to get involved in skippering the boat trips and meeting new people.
- How did you get into canal life?
Myself and my partner went on a canal cruise, we loved it! The business came up for sale and I thought why not.
- What’s the hardest thing about canal life?
Boat maintenance, its a endless cycle. Especially now we have three boats.
- Best thing about working for LCC?
The clients and how much joy they get from our boat trips. They are enjoyed by passengers of all ages.
- Favourite moment/memory from work?
It was just after lockdown two, we had a family on eight onboard. Two sets of grandparents, mum and dad plus the two children. They hadn’t seen each other for four months. Being involved in that was very special and it gave them the chance to meet on a private, safe and secure environment.
- Worst moment/memory from work?
Lockdown two! We were closed for six months.
