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To make using the canals of Britain safe and enjoyable we advice you to follow the guidance that we have for you in this section.

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Collisions - with other boats, banks, bridges or other structures - are another common cause of injury. The impact can lead to falls, both onto the deck and into the water. And for people working in the galley, there's a risk of scalds or burns.

What causes collisions?

• Lack of boat-handling skill or experience
• Taking your eyes off the waterway
  
• Cruising too fast
  

Safety essentials:

• Make sure you know the size of your boat and the dimensions of the waterway you're cruising on
• Check headroom for bridges. Remember bridge shapes vary and water levels rise
  
• Watch out for cross-winds
• Be ready for strong flows at locks, weirs and places where water is taken in or out of the waterway
• Sound your horn as you approach blind bridges, bends and junctions
• Look out for canoes and dinghies
• Watch out for floating tree trunks and other debris
• Learn the Rules of the Road