Supporting Boaters Along the Lancaster Canal
Join our dedicated community where boaters support each other with advice, welfare resources, and shared experiences navigating the Lancaster Canal.
What is the LCBA?
Established by a group of liveaboard boaters, we believe in the strength in community and shared ownership of the canal. This includes all stakeholders from walkers to anglers, to paddle boarders and Boaters.
We have a wonderful boating community which can, at times, be quite insular & isolated. This leads to many misconceptions about the Liveaboard boating community. This can mean that communities around the canal don’t know a lot about us, and it often results in our community becoming isolated from the same services that house dwellers have access to.
The LCBA works on the premise that we have to help our own. Whether this be through experienced boaters helping newbie liveaboards by providing help and advice, or welfare support such as helping those less mobile with getting prescriptions or shopping. Or – perhaps a bag of coal to those struggling to heat their boats.
When you join us as a free member you are pledging to stregthen our community by either giving or receiving support from the boating community of the Lancaster Canal.
Guiding Boaters with Community Events
As a member you can also attend our community events. Discover upcoming gatherings and activities designed to inspire, educate and bring the canal community together.
LCBA – Curry on the Cut
January 24, 2026
LCBA Official Launch Event
Date to be annouced soon
LCBA Spring Event
Date to be annouced soon
Who is this group for?
Our door is open to anyone who needs help & support while living on their boat along the Lancaster Canal. To become a member and qualify for support you must live on your boat at least 50% of the time. Becoming a member is FREE, and you can choose to become a member in order to ask for support or offer to pledge it to other members.
If you don’t live on a boat at least 50% of the time but would still like to pledge to help those that do and make the canal a better place to live, you can register as a supporter.
News, Help & Advice for boaters
If you’re not a member yet, you can still explore our blog filled with expert tips, community stories, and essential advice for navigating the Lancaster Canal with confidence.
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Should I move in Ice?
Overstayed? Need Water? The canal has frozen over and you’re wondering if…
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Lancaster Services
Rumning a customer service facility could cost our community group up to…
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LCBA funding application successful
The Lancaster Canal Boaters Association has been awarded £1000 towards the costs…
What kind of support do you offer?
We are a newly established group and if we’re honest, we’re still working this out. Through a series of launch events we hope to get a better idea of what the community needs from us and the kind of support we have from members who wish to pledge help to others. In truth though, our group will evolve and change as the community come together to input their own ideas into what a canal community should look like.
Some of the support we hope to offer include:
Support & advice on boating matters to newbies or those struggling to adapt to life on the water.
Winter fuel support in emergencies where boaters may be struggling with the cost of heating.
A Library of things such as tools and other items that members can donate to, and borrow.
Emergency grants for engine parts to ensure you can continue to live on your boat and keep warm and powered up.
Community representation to the Canal & River Trust of things that matter most to boaters.
Possible management of services where the Canal & River Trust may be unable to provide them.
Liason with other community groups that provide services which could support boaters well being, and empowerment through signposting to services that can help boaters.
Fundrasing to reach our goals
In November 2025 our group was successful in an application to the Lancaster Community Fund. The money recieved from this fund is enough to get us started for the first 6 months and set up infastructure (such as this website) and plan some launch events. We will continue to raise funds through our fundraising efforts to help improve the services that we can offer.
Help support our community group by donating to the LCBA
The LCBA is supported by:
Getting Involved
Becoming a member is FREE and once you’ve signed up you’ll have access to lots of information written for the boaters of the Lancaster Canal.
1
Join the Community
Sign up to become a member and gain access to expert advice, welfare resources, and helpful articles designed for canal boaters on the Lancaster Canal.
2
Request Assistance
Submit a request through our form for guidance, support, or welfare help related to life on the Lancaster Canal.
3
Give back
If you can, get involved and volunteer your time to help others by giving back to the community by becoming a volunteer Member.