Supporting
Community Boating

National Community Boats Association

The National Community Boats Association or NCBA is a charity that provides support to Community Boating Organisations. Its does this primarily through training support but also by representing the interests of the member projects with the Canal and River Trust.  The NCBA administers systems to help promote the safe use of the inland waterways.  Its qualifications are recognised by the Canal and River Trust which allows Community Boating organisations to operate boats which carry up to 12 passengers.

A small selection of our member's details are shown below

Adams Ark project
Adams Ark project
Adams Ark is a residential wide beam boat that sleeps 11 group members and is hired along with a voluntary skipper. It is available for Community Groups/Schools etc,

Milton Keynes Community Boat
Milton Keynes Community Boat
12-passenger fully-electric accessible 54ft narrowboat, built by Colecraft, sucessfully launchedon the Grand Union in Milton Keynes in July 2021. Purpose: to raise awareness and funds to support the work of the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust in promoting a Waterway Park to link the Grand Union with the River Great Ouse. www.bmkwaterway.org It also supports community development, healthy walking and canalscape improvement. The Trust also runs the 50-seater John Bunyan in Bedford.

Wooden Canal Boat Society
Wooden Canal Boat Society
The boats offer respite for disadvantaged people and those suffering poor mental health. Preserving the traditional boat building skills and the history surrounding the operation of these boats.

Canal Connections
Canal Connections
At Canal Connections CIC we explore the opportunities for social regeneration presented through the waterways and its environs by the innovative engagement of individuals, families, communities and organisations (corporate, statutory and voluntary) whilst enhancing the built and natural heritage of that environment.

NCBA Training

Training is provided by NCBA projects know as Accredited Training Centres. The ATC has available to it one or more NCBA Trainers who can deliver the NCBA courses. Normally an ATC undertakes all its own training but will often run courses for external people. If you are not attached to a project and require training please contact an ATC in you area. These can be found on the Projects page.

Public Course Information

From time to time details of public training course places are made avaiailable here.

    Latest News

    NCBA 2020 AGM – 12th December at 10:00am

    NCBA 2020 AGM – 12th December at 10:00am

    For the 2020 AGM it had been planned to hold the AGM at Pirate Castle in London. Due to the Covid19 restrictions this was not possible, instead the meeting was held online using Microsoft Teams on the 12th December 2020. The meeting started at 1pm...

    NCBA 2019 AGM – 16th November at 10:00am

    NCBA 2019 AGM – 16th November at 10:00am

    This year the NCBA AGM will take place at Braunston Memorial Hall, The Green, Braunston, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 7HW on the 16th November 2019 starting at 10:00 am. Please email members@national-cba.co.uk if you are attending. Please...

    NCBA 2018 AGM – 17th November at 10:00am

    NCBA 2018 AGM – 17th November at 10:00am

    This year the NCBA AGM will take place at Portland Basin Museum, 1 Portland Place, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 0QA on the 17th November 2018 starting at 10:00 am. Portland Basin Museum is housed within the restored nineteenth century Ashton Canal...

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