A 60ft barge helped gas pipeline operator Transco carry out essential maintenance over the Bridgewater canal.
Transco, which has a regional office in Spa Road, Bolton, hired the barge to assist painters from a Preston company complete work at Daresbury, Warrington.
The Transco maintenance team is looking at 26 different above ground crossings across the region, using a range of different techniques.
Project Manager Mark Hewiston said the barge had given the painters a stable platform on the water.
He added: "We also used the barge as a precautionary measure to protect the surrounding environment and it was a useful lookout point while we maintained access for passing barges."
The maintenance work, due to be completed by the end of the year, is being carried out in consultation with organisations which include the Environment Agency, Manchester Ship Canal, British Waterways and Railtrack.
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