A NARROW boat has set off on its maiden voyage as it prepares to bring trips back to the canal for the first time in years.
Ryan Chorley, owner of the Somerset Boat Centre, brought narrow boat SomerSun to the canal in Taunton on Tuesday, October 16.
The boat will run from the centre in North Newton, as well as trips in Taunton.
Ryan Chorley, owner of Somerset Boat Centre
Mr Chorley, 50, hopes the new business venture will inspire people to be passionate about the waterway.
He said: "This has been a two-year project in the making.
"I want to engage people to get interested in the river. People have been very supportive so far.
"There's no commercial operators of river trips left in the canal, the last one stopped three years ago.
"The canal is 200 years old, we need to get people involved."
As well as offering the river boat trips, the vessel can also be hired out for private functions and Mr Chorley will use it as a training boat for those looking to gain RYA qualifications.
Other water-based activities also take place at the centre.
Mr Chorley says the wildlife he sees out on the boat is 'magical'.
"We have such a beautiful asset here," he said. "Being by the water gives you such a sense of wellbeing.
"I do a running commentary, a bit about the history and the wildlife. You get all sorts here, from kingfishers to heron and dragonflies. It's magical, and it's a shame not to share it with everyone."
Mr Chorley hopes the boat will encourage people to come into Taunton town centre, where he hopes to run his trips from the platform near Coal Orchard.
The SomerSun narrowboat
He says the trips will play its part in the development of the town and Taunton Deane Borough Council has been supportive of his new venture.
"It's about partnership," he added. "All the councils have been great and supportive. It all goes hand-in-hand with development and what's going on at Coal Orchard and Firepool.
"People might go for a trip then to get some lunch or a coffee in town.
"Hopefully people will see me floating by and be interested in what's going on."
To find out more information about Somerset Boat Centre, visit somersetboatcentre.co.uk or call 07508 959996.
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