River Canal Rescue

River Canal Rescue was founded 25 years ago and predominantly offers breakdown and recovery services. Essentially, we're like the AA but for canal boats. The main difference is that, because we operate in a niche industry, we offer a wider range of products and services than you’d normally expect from a traditional breakdown and recovery service.

One of our innovations is a filter we developed that separates oil from water. We've also been working extensively with hydrogen fuel cell technology, exploring how to integrate it into our operations. In fact, we created a prototype and were honored to win the Breaking the Mould Award from Keele University in 2023. This recognition, specifically the Leading Innovation Award, was a great acknowledgment of the work we’ve done.

We also produced an app called Water Nav, which provides mapping for the UK’s inland waterways. The app doubles as an operational tool for our engineers, giving them access to all customer details. Looking ahead, we plan to incorporate an internal AI system to enhance our operational efficiency, including predicting and managing various aspects of our business.

Our collaboration with Keele University focuses on the knowledge side of business. They assist us in developing new ideas, figuring out how to bring them to market, and ensuring we give ourselves the best chance of success.

I’d strongly recommend that anyone with innovative ideas—especially if it’s something that hasn’t been done before—get in touch with Keele. They’re excellent at identifying areas you might not have considered and helping you navigate challenges. Even if you’re unsure whether they can help, it’s always worth reaching out.