Charity boat is first to moor at Northampton marina

A boat running trips along the River Nene in Northampton has become the first vessel to moor in a new marina.

St John Ambulance boat Northamptonshire Crusader carries 3,500 passengers a year, made up people with special needs and community groups.

The Crusader is leaving its existing mooring, which it has used for 17 years, due to developments in the town.

The marina at Becket's Park will offer 80 moorings, six of which will be for residential use.

Disabled passenger access

Environment Agency project manager Paul Arnold said: "We are pleased to be able to help St John Ambulance.

"The crew provides a wonderful service to people in the town who may otherwise not be able to enjoy the River Nene first hand.

"The arrival of the Crusader means that the St John Ambulance crew are the first of many people who will benefit from the new facility."

Dan Reid, from the St John Ambulance service, said: "After a few years of uncertainty about relocating our operating base, there is a sigh of relief from crew and passengers alike now that we have been given such a prestigious new 'home'.

"We are grateful for this marvellous gesture which keeps the boat in its central location, important for its proximity to the disabled passenger access point and convenient for their transport, which often needs to drive close to the boat to minimise walking distance."

The marina is scheduled for completion in March 2011.