• Plymouth Boat Trips - Slide One
    Discover Devon and Cornwall
    With our range of guided cruises and trips
    Book Now
  • Plymouth Boat Trips Cawsand Ferry - Slide Two
    Cawsand Ferry
    Discover secluded beaches and magnificent scenery
    Enquire Now
  • Plymouth Boat Trips - Slide Three
    Discover Devon and Cornwall
    Hop aboard the Cremyll Ferry to visit historic
    Mount Edgcumbe Country Park

    Read More
  • Sundowner Themed Cruise - Slide Four
    Sundowner Cruises
    Relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery,
    an essential start to your summer evenings

    Book Now
  • Plymouth Boat Trips Cruising - Slide Five
    Cruises in Plymouth
    See what Plymouth has to offer!
    Book Now
  • Plymouth Boat Trips - Slide Seven
    Discover Devon and Cornwall
    Discover Plymouth and Cornwall with our
    guided cruises and trips

    Book Now
  • Plymouth Boat Trips - Slide Eight
    Discover Devon and Cornwall
    Take the ferry to the secluded beaches and quaint villages
    of Cawsand and Kingsand

    Read More

Return to Main News & Events Page

Cremyll Ferry Goes Electric News Article

Cremyll Ferry goes electric

Feb. 2021

Voyager Boatyard and Plymouth Boat Trips Win Funding to Create e-Ferry

Voyager Boatyard has successfully bid for funding from Innovate UK to design and build e-Ferry. The, fully electric, boat will become the flagship vessel on Plymouth Boat Trips’ historic Cremyll Ferry commuter route, between Plymouth and South East Cornwall. Following the company’s recent conversion of a small, diesel work boat to e-Voyager, a 12 passenger electric design – this larger, 150 capacity vessel will operate for up to 14 hours a day on a single charge.

The funding from Innovate UK, comes as part of UK Research and Innovation, which is investing up to £191 million to fund single and collaborative research and development projects, via the Sustainable Innovation Fund, over the next two years. The aim of these competitions is to help all sectors of the UK rebuild after the effects of COVID-19.

The team at Voyager Boatyard have taken full advantage of quieter times, caused by COVID-19, to focus on the development of zero-carbon, fully electric propulsion systems for the domestic passenger vessel and under 24m commercial workboat sector.

Project Leader, Andy Hurley said: “We have used the down time to apply for funding, that will enable us to further develop our zero-carbon agenda. Following the success of e-Voyager, we’re delighted to move to the next phase and, once again, lead the way towards a sustainable marine future with e-Ferry.”

Voyager Marine and Plymouth Boat Trips will be working with Solis Marine Engineering, a team of expert naval architects, to create a clean hydrodynamically efficient hull form that maximises use of the stored energy available.

Simon Hindley, Managing Director of, Falmouth based, Solis Marine Engineering, said: “Projects which advance the zero-carbon agenda and marine renewables sector are central to our work. For this project, we will be working in partnership with Pelagic Design to deliver an optimised low resistance design which helps to advance the use of clean energy in the South West.”

Cremyll Ferry Goes Electric News Article

Both Plymouth City Council and Cornwall County Council have established targets, to become carbon neutral by 2030 and plans are underway for charging points to be installed on Plymouth’s Barbican Landing Stage and other sites.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet member for Strategic Transport and Infrastructure, said: “This is a fantastic project for the South West and we wholeheartedly endorse it”.

“Economically, to see two South West-based companies combine to produce industry-leading technology does wonders for our marine sector in the city.”

“I’m also delighted from a climate emergency perspective. We want Plymouth to be carbon neutral by 2030 but as a Council, we can’t do it alone. That’s why it’s so great to see a high-profile Plymouth company setting an example to others by pulling up their sleeves and helping us to meet our ambitious target.”

The e-Ferry will be designed and built to effectively operate in a congested maritime environment, with strong tidal conditions, rough seas, and challenging berthing locations. It will also include additional zero-carbon solutions such as photovoltaic panels or similar renewable energy sources.

Andy Hurley continued, “Our aims match the government’s Clean Maritime Plan, to have zero-carbon commercial vessels operating in UK waters by 2025. To help meet this objective, we are transitioning our business from a traditional boatyard, to a specialist hub with the knowledge base and skills to design, build, convert and maintain zero-carbon, electric, commercial vessels across the UK and globally. It’s a very exciting time for the maritime industry and the South West.”

For further information, interviews and images please contact Sally Bowles, Plymouth Boat Trips PR & Marketing Dept.

e: sally@plymouthboattrips.co.uk t: 07807 613 526

Plymouth Boat Trips - Harbour Cruise Link
Plymouth Boat Trips - Harbour Cruise Text
Plymouth Boat Trips - Cremyll Ferry Link
Plymouth Boat Trips - Cremyll Ferry Text
Plymouth Boat Trips - Cawsand Ferry Link
Plymouth Boat Trips - Cawsand Ferry Text
Plymouth Boat Trips - The Barbican, Royal William Yard & Mount Edgcumbe Ferry Link
Plymouth Boat Trips - The Barbican, Royal William Yard & Mount Edgcumbe Ferry Text
Plymouth Boat Trips - Family Friendly Trips Link
Plymouth Boat Trips - Family Friendly Trips Text
Plymouth Boat Trips - Sundowner Cruise Link
Plymouth Boat Trips - Sundowner Cruise Text
Plymouth Boat Trips - Calstock Quay Cruise Link
Plymouth Boat Trips - Calstock Quay Cruise Text
Plymouth Boat Trips - River Yealm Cruise Link
Plymouth Boat Trips - River Yealm Cruise Text

What our customers say...

“Thank you to the Cremyll Ferry for all your support of Fourlanesend Community School. We use your service with the children at various points in the year. This helps us deliver our unique curriculum and we always appreciate the help you give us. Thank you for being part of our success!”

Rebecca Norton, Head Teacher Fourlanesend C.P. School

“I thoroughly recommend Plymouth Boat Trips. They welcome everyone and I’m sure that anyone who uses them will have a wonderful time.”

Theresa Burt, Ask4All

“For the past 8 years, we have used Plymouth Boat Trips to host our event watching the British Fireworks Championship in August.  Our event has been hugely popular each year, which is no doubt thanks to Plymouth Boat Trips’ excellent hospitality.   

We cannot recommend Plymouth Boat Trips enough! Thank you again for your faultless service year after year!”

Hannah Jackson, Hulley & Kirkwood Consulting Engineers Ltd

“I thoroughly recommend Plymouth Boat Trips! As a support group for people with disabilities and their families we have been organising activities for over 16 years. One of our favourite events is with Plymouth Boat Trips, cruising the Tamar whilst enjoying a disco!  They welcome everyone and I’m sure that anyone who uses them will have a wonderful time.”

Theresa Burt, Ask4All

“We use Plymouth Boat Trips every year for a celebration at the end of the academic year. We are always very well looked after by the crew. It makes for a great celebration at a very competitive price.”

Diane Henderson, Assistant Vice Principal, Marine Academy Plymouth

Connect with us

Instagram Feed

Plymouth Boat Trips - Accessibility Link

Exclusive offers & news

Sign up to our newsletter to receive special offers and hear our latest news.


Latest News

Free Saltash and Royal William Yard Ferry Trips - 21/03/2024

As part of the Making Saltash Waterside Better Connected Initiative, Plymouth Boat Trips will be providing a FREE FERRY
Read more...

Sailing in to 2024 Newsletter - 08/02/2024

Welcome to our first update of 2024! We had a wonderful time entertaining children and grown-ups alike on board
Read more...

Plymouth Boat Trips End of Season Newsletter - 04/11/2022

It’s been a steaming hot, sell out summer season this year at Plymouth Boat Trips. We’ve loved welcoming you
Read more...

Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay to visit Plymouth as full England route revealed - 11/05/2022

Queen’s Baton Relay route through England revealed Baton will visit Plymouth on 4 July It will spend two days
Read more...