Weed Hatch

The weed hatch is there so you can remove any weed, rope and even car tyres from around the propeller or prop shaft without going for a swim. When the barge is built or constructed, the hatch is made out of the same steel as the hull, in the case of Wye invader 2 that is 6mm thick.

Every 3 to 4 years the barge should be taken out to have the bottom of the barge pressure washed or shot blasted to clean the old bitumen and rust off, then repaint. The area most often forgot is the weed hatch, so when your barge is an ex-hire craft its a good idea to clean and paint before you find your boat sat on the bottom of the canal!