There are now only three examples of these unique boats remaining, regrettably all are at various advanced stages of deterioration and two have no formal recognition of their potential importance or any formal protection.

This report has summarised initial investigations relating to the ice boats and at this juncture it is essential that the historical and archaeological importance of the remains are formally appraised. Such an appraisal is key to a decision on any future action or follow-up on this work.
At this stage quite how such an appraisal could be accomplished in the absence of any support is unclear and exactly what would be its outcome remains to be seen.

The canal network and canal history still generates a lot of public interest and it would seem these remains may have some historical importance and, given the present circumstances, it would be tragic if they were to be lost forever for lack of some appropriate action.

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