Plymouth Boat Trips has introduced a new, modern vessel to service the famous Cawsand Ferry route. The Plymouth Princess will carry passengers between Plymouth and the scenic, Cornish beaches and villages of Cawsand and Kingsand. Loyal fans of the Weston Maid will be reassured to know that the Red Pig, as she’s affectionately known to locals, will continue to run alongside the Plymouth Princess.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, Plymouth Boat Trips introduced a range of measures to ensure safe travel on board, and increased fleet capacity comes as part of that effort. Running at peak times, the addition of a second boat will help prevent queues and provide additional space on board for social distancing.
Designed and built in Cornwall, for the Kingsbridge to Salcombe ferry operation, the Plymouth Princess will offer a smoother, faster journey and more space and comfort, with a seated top deck area, bar and toilet facilities on board.
Owner of Plymouth Boat Trips, Ben Squire said: ‘We’re very excited to launch this cracking new boat onto the Cawsand run, the voyage itself is a wonderful day out and the Plymouth Princess will add another level of comfort and reassurance for customers, as we operate in the new normal.’
For further information, images, or interviews, please contact:
Sally Bowles, Plymouth Boat Trips Marketing & PR Department.
e: sally@plymouthboattrips.co.uk
Plymouth Boat Trips has announced that its river cruises, fishing trips and remaining ferry services will return on Saturday 4th July. Passengers will be able to travel, by water, to the picturesque beaches of Cawsand and Kingsand, cruise the River Tamar and take the popular, connecting Barbican, Royal William Yard, Mount Edgcumbe ferry, as lockdown measures are further eased by government.
Among the new rules of travel, face coverings are mandatory on board, and a one-way system will operate throughout all vessels. Additional boats will be in service to allow adequate social distancing, without reducing timetables, and contactless payment will be encouraged to reduce contact between staff and passengers.
All Plymouth Boat Trips services were suspended on 23rd March, when the Prime Minister announced strict lock down measures across the UK. Party cruises and private charters remain on hold for now and, as with the recently reopened Cremyll Ferry service, there will be reduced passenger capacity.
Additional safety measures include table service on all cruise boats, the availability of hand sanitizer for passengers on boarding and regular cleaning between trips.Social distancing signage will be displayed, and queues managed, to ensure boarding and alighting passengers do not interact.
Owner of Plymouth Boat Trips, Ben Squire said: “We’re excited to be restarting operations, offering people the chance to get out on the wonderful waters of Plymouth again, and we’ve put all the necessary measures in place, to ensure that staff and passengers remain safe on board.”
For further information, images, or interviews, please contact:
Sally Bowles, Plymouth Boat Trips Marketing & PR Department.
e: sally@plymouthboattrips.co.uk
m: 07807 613 526
Plymouth Boat Trips has announced that the much loved Cremyll Ferry service, connecting Plymouth and South East Cornwall will resume on Tuesday 16th June 2020. A reduced timetable and passenger capacity are among new rules in place, as Coronavirus lockdown measures are gradually eased by government.
The ferry, that has been in existence since the 11th Century and provides an important commuter connection and gateway to the Rame Peninsula, was suspended in March, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The Prime Minister announced lockdown measures on 23rd March and a decision was taken by Plymouth Boat Trips’ management team to stop services and help reduce the spread of the virus.
Plymouth Boat Trips will be allocating one of its largest vessels, Plymouth Sound to the service to allow adequate social distancing on board. However, the Edgcumbe Belle will run when tides don’t allow the Plymouth Sound to dock at Admirals Hard. Contactless payment is encouraged as is the purchase of return tickets, to reduce contact between staff and passengers.
Passengers will be advised that face coverings will be mandatory, and a one-way system will operate throughout the ferry. Additional safety measures, as the ferry comes back into action, include the availability of hand sanitizer for passengers on boarding and regular cleaning between trips. Social distancing signage will be displayed, and queues managed to ensure boarding and alighting passengers do not interact.
Passengers are reminded that while the park at Mount Edgcumbe is open, all facilities and the house remain closed. There are a limited number of public toilets available at Cremyll and there is just one toilet at Admirals Hard (Cremyll Street), which is only for people with a radar key.
Owner, Ben Squire said: ‘We surveyed customers to gather feedback and the resounding response towards us restarting the Cremyll Ferry has been very positive. We have worked closely with Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council to reintroduce the service and we’re taking every precaution to ensure that our staff and customers are safe.”
For further information, images, or interviews, please contact:
Sally Bowles, Plymouth Boat Trips Marketing & PR Department.
e: sally@plymouthboattrips.co.uk
m: 07807 613 526
Plymouth Boat Trips and Voyager Marine, Cornwall are partnering with the University of Plymouth, the University of Exeter, Teignbridge Propellers, MarRi-Uk and EV Parts UK in a ground breaking project to create the UK’s first, sea going, electric passenger vessel, e-Voyager. The new green boat is set to launch in July, mirroring Plymouth Boat Trips’ existing ferry routes, including Cremyll Ferry, a busy commuter connection between Cornwall and Plymouth.
The project is funded through the £1.4M Clean Maritime Call: a Maritime Research and Innovation UK (MarRI-UK) initiative supported by the Department for Transport (DfT), launched to support the UK’s goal of zero emission shipping.
Voyager Marine will be the only UK boat builder to offer the complete package of design, installation and maintenance of sea going, electric vessels. Plymouth Boat Trips’ project leader, Andy Hurley said: ‘We’re very excited to be leading such a progressive project, to create a cleaner and more sustainable future for the industry.’
Environmental and Commercial Benefits
Support from the universities was via Environmental Futures & Big Data Impact Lab, a £6.4 million project to support small businesses, and the £4M Marine Business Technology Centre, both part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Sarah Fear, Project Manager (Impact Lab) at the University of Plymouth, said: “This is a cutting edge project and the perfect opportunity to show how the University’s scientific expertise and business support can be combined with the ingenuity of a local company.”
Repurposed, Nissan Leaf batteries will be used in e-Voyager, meaning almost no maintenance and clear commercial benefits for businesses in the marine sector. The University of Plymouth’s scientists will carry out research during the build, measuring emissions including noise pollution, air pollution and fuel consumption.
Brian Lambert, a University of Exeter Research Fellow in the Marine Business Technology Centre Project, joined the consortium to shape the bid into MarRi-UK. Brian will be working with EV Parts UK to integrate and optimise the new electric power train, to maximise the environmental benefits and efficiency of the motors.
Technology and design
EV Parts will design the battery storage and motor installation. FBW (fly-by-wire) electronic controls will replace the existing systems and will be directly transferable to a wide range of vessels in the under 24m commercial vessel market. The motors, energy storage, control and charging systems will also be tested in a real-world environment, enabling the team to gain approval from regulatory bodies so they can be used in vessels across the sector and, eventually, carry passengers.
Brad Bunyard, Managing Director at EV Parts said: “We’re breaking new ground with e-Voyager and beyond the prototype we look forward to being able to provide approved solutions to meet low emission targets in the marine sector.”
Safety and Regulations
Rigorous running trials will be carried out and Plymouth Boat Trips will be working closely with the University of Plymouth and Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) to develop regulations.
Dr Richard Pemberton, lecturer in Mechanical and Marine Engineering Design at the University of Plymouth said: “From my first meeting with Plymouth Boat Trips, I was impressed with their approach to innovation. They are looking to take known technologies from the automotive and industrial sector and apply them in the marine environment”.
He went on to say: “The University’s involvement comes on many fronts, be that academic support on a technical level to assisting with funding applications, and on a personal level, I’ve been linking the project to my teaching, so that the engineers we’re training for tomorrow, are aware of new technologies and where the sector is moving.”
For further information and images contact:
Sally Bowles, Plymouth Boat Trips, PR & Marketing:
E: sally@plymouthboattrips.co.uk T: 01752 253153
After careful consideration, Plymouth Boat Trips has taken the decision to suspend the Cremyll Ferry operation, by end of day today (24th March 2020), until further notice, based on guidance issued by the government regarding Coronavirus (Covid-19).
The health, safety and well-being of our staff and customers is our highest priority, therefore we believe it is not appropriate to continue the service. We will be continually reviewing the situation and will keep you updated.
Please stay safe and stay home for now and we look forward to welcoming you on board the Cremyll Ferry again in the, not too distant, future!
With thanks from the Cremyll Ferry crew and all at Plymouth Boat Trips
