Thames Estuary RiB & Pilot Vessel Cruises
Booking Page
More than a trip around the bay, Power Cruise on one of our Rigid Inflatable Boats (RiB) or motor on our Pilot Boat
Reserve a place(s) on one of our regular trips or places on one of our Specialist Conducted Cruises purchase a family ticket or charter a whole boat for parties of up to 12
Buy in advance to mark a Birthday, Anniversary or just for fun Sailing Vouchers can be used on any of our trips subject to space availability
N.B You must ring number on confirmation email/voucher before setting out for the port as all trips are weather dependent & are subject to cancellation at skippers discretion
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RiB
Celtic Warrior |
Motor
Pilot Vessel X-Pilot |
What you'll see
Excursions are to the Windfarm on the Kentish Flats, the Maunsell WWII Sea Forts at Red Sands, Shivering Sands & Knock John
Queenborough & Garrison Point, the Swale, the Kingsferry Crossings & Seal Watch, Faversham Creek & Seasalter, Whitstable Harbour, Herne Bay Pier & Reculver Towers, Margate Sands Seal Watch & Discovery Trips
Southend Pier, around the Isle-of-Sheppey to Nore Sands taking in the wreck of the SS Montgomery
Special trips can be arranged to along the River Medway, passing under Rochester bridge for views of the Castle & Cathedral
Chatham's Historic Dockyard to the Medway Forts, the Medway Piers, Thames Port & Stangate Creek
Secure your place(s) with a deposit for each person the balance is payable in cash on the day of sailing
Rigid Inflatable Boats (RiB's)
RiB Power Cruises leave from Neptune's Arm Jetty Herne Bay & Whitstable Harbour
Trips are up to 2 hours & our Specials may cover up to 40 nautical miles
The RiB's are very fast so we recommend you wear adequate clothing & a spray jacket, self inflating life jackets are provided
Details of the RiBs & what you can see on an Offshore Cruise 1 : 2 : 3
Pilot Vessel
Laid down in 1967 the 62 foot long 72 ton Ex-Pilot worked at Gravesend on the River Thames, facing harsh conditions she was renounded for reliability. These days she's a charter vessel licensed to carry 12 passengers with spacious upper & lower decks the X-Pilot offers a stable platform for photography, film & TV shoots
Her cabin interior is spacious with TV, DVD & Video facilities along with a dining area & superb galley with fitted cooker, kettle, fridge & microwave. In addition there's a flushing loo & large washroom for a great level of comfort for those corporate days
Fishing - The X-Pilot is an extremely well equipped vessel. Fitted with GPS, colour fishfinder, spacious decks & superb stability helps make her the ultimate fishing experience for standard trips of 8 hours
TV documentaries have been produced using the X-Pilot as the 'Film' platform
The X-Pilot's is owned & skippered by boatman Alan, born on the banks of the Thames he's a proud Cockney & experienced boatman who knows the Medway & its waters well. A member of the Professional Boatman's Association he holds Maritime, Coastguard Agency Boatmaster's Licenses & is a First Aider
What you might see on a Pilot Vessel Cruise
Useful General Information
Car Parking: Herne Bay - Pay & Display at Neptune's Jetty Whitstable - Pay & Display at the Gorral Tank opposite the Harbour
Cameras may be brought on all trips at your own risk, beware of sea spray, waves & wakes from ours & other vessels, especially whilst we're under power on the RiB's
We recommend use of sun glasses, hats & UV sun protection for all trips
Safety first, vessels are skippered by competent crews with marine radio, life preservation & safety equipment aboard
We work closely with the local harbour authorities, the RNLI, Coast Guard & Local Council
Bookings can be made on-line with secure payment through Paypal
Please email for Corporate Sailings & Special Bookings
N.B. Bookings are also made in person so space advertised here may be filled before we update records
Dates are not published for RiB or Pilot Vessel trips as sailing take place throughout the season
RiB's operate from Herne Bay every weekend & weekdays in high summer
The Pilot Vessel runs out of Rochester Pier, Queenborough & in high season from Whitstable vouchers may be used on all sialings with space available
| 2009 Season Assorted Trips £ Various |
Vessels from North Kent Coast Harbours, Estuaries & Rivers from spring to autumn from Whitstable, Herne Bay, Sheerness & The Medway. N.B Dates are not published as trips take place on all boats throughout the season. 'Sailing Vouchers' may be purchased & used on all sailings with space available | |
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2009 Season |
Power Cruises into the Thames Estuary from Whitstable or Herne Bay to see the Windfarm on the Kentish Flats Purchase a RiB Windfarm Voucher More Information |
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2009 Season |
Power Cruises into the Thames Estuary from Whitstable to the Wind Farm & the Maunsell Sea Forts at Red Sands. From Herne Bay The Wind Farm & Shivering Sands Purchase a RiB Sea Forts Voucher More Information |
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2009 Season |
Power Cruises into the Thames Estuary from Whitstable to Margate Sands for Seal Watch via the Windfarm & the Maunsell Sea Forts. Discovery Cruises to the Windfarm, Red Sands, Shivering Sands, Knock John & Reculver Purchase a RiB Seal or Discovery Voucher More Information |
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2009 Season |
Power Cruises with the family (2 adults & 2 children) into the Thames Estuary from Whitstable or Herne Bay to the Windfarm & the Maunsell Sea Forts or a Discovery Cruise to the Windfarm, Red Sands, Shivering Sands, Knock John & Reculver Purchase a RiB Family Voucher More Information |
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2009 Season |
Motor Cruise the River Medway, Round the Isle-of-Sheppey to the wreck of the Montgomery, venture into the Thames Estuary. See the Sea Forts, the Windfarm on the Kentish Mud Flats, spot seals in the Swale, slip into Faversham Creek, View Seasater & the marshes, Whitstable Harbour, Herne Bay or Reculver & normally around 6 hours Purchase a Weekday Motor Pilot Voucher More Information |
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2009 Season |
Motor Cruise the River Medway, Round the Isle-of-Sheppey to the wreck of the Montgomery, venture into the Thames Estuary. See the Sea Forts, the Windfarm on the Kentish Mud Flats, spot seals in the Swale, slip into Faversham Creek, View Seasater & the marshes, Whitstable Harbour, Herne Bay or Reculver & normally around 6 hours Purchase a Weekend Motor Pilot Voucher More Information |
Booking Terms: You must confirm your place(s) by a telephone call to our skipper(s) number as shown on deposit notice in advance of sailing date
All trips are weather dependant, whilst we will endeavour to give adequate notice of cancellation, clients need to accept trips may occasionally be subject to late cancellation due to circumstances beyond our control
In which case an alternative date will be offered. At the discretion of the operator full refunds will be given up to 48 hours if voyage is cancelled due to adverse weather or mitigating circumstances
Sailing Vouchers must be returned for refund & may attract a small handling fee
The final responsibility to check sailing will go ahead as scheduled is the passengers
The oporator reserves the right to amend or revise trips as necessary in the interests of clients safety
Third party insurance is provided excluding personal effects carried at own risk
Other useful information Olau Ferries once operated from Sheerness
