A new web site on line soon.

Boat trip times will stay on this blogg.
www.theriverbus.co.uk

Sailing schedule Inciuding Seal spotting trips.

Trips run weekends and school holidays all year. Also Thursday and Friday from Easter until mid September unless the weather is bad.
Normal open times are 11am to 6pm, or dusk in winter.
Six or more as a group can book the boat on any day of the year.
You can only book by phone on  07958376183.

Wildlife and Seal Spotting trip departure.

March.
Sun  4th  @  8.am.
Sat   10th @ 10am.
Sun  11th @ 11am. Full.
Sun  11th @ 1.30pm.
Sat   17th @ 8am.
Sat   17th @ 5pm.
Sun  18th @ 9am.
Sat   24th @ 10am.
Sun  25th @ 12 noon. Now British summer time[ B S T ].
Sat   31st  @ 4pm.

April
Sun   1st  @  9am.
Sun   1st  @  5pm.
Fri    6th  @  10am.
Sat   7th   @  10am.
Sun  8th   @  11am.
Mon 9th   @  11.30.
Tue  10th  @  12 noon.

Seals seen on all trips now for over 6 years. About 2000 trips.

The boat in use most is Heron [1965 lifeboat] but if booking you can state you would like the Dolphin [1903 Dutch sailing barge].

Sailing barge Dolphin

Dolphin is now looking good. She is now the flag ship of the River Bus with a passenger licence for 12 persons. She is back in the water after 4 years out. Launched at Ramsgate on the 24th November 2010 at 08.47hrs, her unladen weight is now only 17tons. (she has lost 3tons in refit) Built in Holland 1903. Hull L 40ft 6ins, B 11ft, D 3ft 6ins, Reg wt 36tons. Air D is only 7ft with mast down and 6ft with 4.5tons in the front as ballast, so it is possible to take her to Fordwich going under Grove Ferry bridge.[ Delivery of Caen stone was made on April 2nd 2011, believed first barge to arrive in Fordwich since 1870.] Her restoration has taken about 4 years, the top and deck have been replaced, so in profile from the side she looks clog shaped. The journey back to Sandwich was trouble free. After running the engine (120hp Ford 6cyl) for two hours waiting for the tide and checking all is well, the passage took about 90mins. At one time the Sat nav showed 9knts but that was with the tide. Tiller steering (Rib tickler) works well and is quite comfortable, with no obvious propeller osolation. The wheel steering is not yet compleat. She will also happily steer going astern with caution. I admit I still need to learn some of her ways.
During the summer of 2011 the Dolphin has had to be the most used boat as the Heron had an engine problem. She did very well with no probs. (The Heron now has a new 1.8 bmc fitted.)

Site reviewed and up dated 09.12.11

Please scroll down to find much more info. The prices are correct and have been revued this year.

Why rush around, sit back and relax.

We use older type boats which are very stable and sedate. They travel through the water rather than skimming over it, so causing little disturbance to wildlife and other people.

Contact & bookings

I have no computer on the boat and I may only get to see emails monthly, it is always best to phone on 07958376183 any day.