In sailing 60 miles inland, it went further than any other vessel carrying a load of this size has ever managed.

Abnormal loads being delivered to the National Grid Transco's Staythorpe Substation would normally have been transported 70 miles on the road network. Travelling at speeds of between 5 and 12mph, the movements would have caused disruption and delay for other road users over a three day period. Some 400 such abnormal loads crawl along Britain's roads every year.

Inland Navigator is owned by Staffordshire based Robert Wynn & Sons Ltd, which was awarded an £8.5m Government grant in 2002. The remainder of the grant, which exceeds anything previously awarded for waterways projects, has funded the construction of Inland Navigator's mother ship, the unique Multi Purpose Pontoon (MPP) Terra Marique . The vessel has been built by Damen Shipyards and delivery is expected by the end of this month. Wynn personnel are currently trialing and training in the Netherlands, with Terra Marique entering service in March.

The MPP has been developed to maximise the utilisation of both UK and European ports, rivers and inland waterways.

The 80m by 16.5m vessel is semi-submersible, allowing it to transport smaller vessels, including the Inland Navigator.

This facilitates access to the UK inland waterway network without transhipment from sea passage.

The towed vessel is equipped with thrusters for manoeuvring in smooth waters and has a strengthened hull which allows beach landings for direct delivery to coastal and waterway locations with minimal site preparation.

Further evidence of Government backing for waterways freight came last month with the start of work by 'Sea and Water' on its mission 'to champion water as an alternative and effective way of moving freight in the UK by removing obstacles, influencing policy and providing support'.

With a brief to provide the industry with a common voice and promote the movement of freight by water as part of an integrated transport policy, Sea and Water will serve as a single point of contact for all waterway, coastal and short sea freight interests.

Sea and Water's first major promotional event is a one day conference called 'Why Water?', scheduled for 6 April 2004 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Manchester. Scheduled speakers include UK Minister for Shipping David Jamieson MP and Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody MP, the powerful Chairman of the House of Commons Transport Committee.

For further information visit Sea and Water's new website:

www. seaandwater. org