Steam Boat Association of Great Britain facts for kids
The Steam Boat Association of Great Britain (SBA) is a group started in 1971. It helps people who love steamboats. They also represent the interests of steamboat owners. About one-third of its 700 members live outside the UK.
Contents
What is the Steam Boat Association?
The SBA is a group run by volunteers. It has around 700 members. They hold fun events all over the UK. These events include rallies where steamboats gather. They also have national and local meetings. The SBA shares knowledge through special talks. They also show off steamboats at engineering shows. The group discusses many topics related to steam engines.
Sharing Knowledge and Safety
The SBA publishes a magazine called The Funnel. It comes out four times a year. This colorful magazine is 96 pages long. It helps steamboat fans around the world connect. The SBA also creates helpful guides. These guides teach members about steamboat engineering.
The SBA knows that owning a steamboat needs engineering skills. They pay close attention to safety. This is especially true for boilers and steam parts. They make sure these parts are strong and safe.
Boiler Testing Services
The SBA also helps members test their boilers. They do this through a special part of their group. It is called Steamboat Association Services Ltd (SBAS). This service helps keep steamboats safe to use.
How Many Steamboats are There?
It is thought that there are about 400 small steam boats in the UK. Most of these boats are 5 to 10 meters long. In any summer, about 90 of them will be out on the water. The SBA also includes members with bigger steam boats. These range from narrowboats on canals to ships that sail along the coast. Many members also live outside the UK.