The new cross-channel ferry service




Public transport with
adventure & positive feedback

Your chance to be a pioneer. Register your interest in the first SailLink cross-channel pilot phase with passengers 

What is SailLink ?

SailLink offers a true sailing and ocean experience in a 2,5 to 4-hour crossing between the UK and France. We've designed the service to link up with the rail networks, so we take you from the heart of one coastal town to a similar port on the other coast. We have space for bikes and you can even help with the sailing. 

SailLink routes

Starting out we will be focusing on suitable routes across the Dover Strait. There's plenty to see and the ports themselves are great destinations. Along the way we will be recording ocean data and collecting samples to provide to our research partners. Public transport with positive feedback.

 

Tourism Declares: Declaration

We declare our shared commitment to unite all stakeholders in transforming tourism to deliver effective climate action.

We support the global commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050.

We will consistently align our actions with the latest scientific recommendations, so as to ensure our approach remains consistent with a rise of no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100.

As a signatory, we commit to:

  1. Deliver a climate action plan within 12 month of signing.

  2. Report publicly both progress against interim and long-term targets, as well as the actions being taken, at least annually.

  3. Align our plan with five shared pathways (measure, decarbonise, regenerate, collaborate, finance) to ensure climate action is consistent across all of tourism.

  4. Share information on activities connected to Tourism Declares and/or the Glasgow Declaration among contacts and networks.

  5. Work in a collaborative and constructive spirit with other members of Tourism Declares and/or signatories of the Glasgow Declaration.

25-31 Sept 2021

2nd feasibility sailing completed

We studied the routes, port access & berthing and met with Border Force , Harbour Managers & local interest groups.  The result is that a sailing passenger service working in accordance with the prevailing conditions is very feasible.  SailLink is go!
Thanks to our commercial sailing advisor and reality checker Jim Duerden of Top Cat Cruising  School for supplying his boat and enthusiastic support! 


The SailLink concept

International travel and public transport as you've never known it. 

SailLink offers a true sailing and ocean experience in a 3-to-4-hour crossing between the UK and France. You arrive at the coastal town by public transport or bike and we connect you with another similar location in a convenient and unique way, turning your journey into a highly valued part of your time away.

SailLink provides cross-border travel, so customs procedures will be followed, but without the queues.

Engage in a real experience and a truly future-friendly means of travel. If you have never sailed before then travelling with SailLink will offer you a short and non-exclusive introduction whilst getting you from A to B. You can choose to be actively involved or to relax and take it all in.

Our routes

We are currently testing the feasibility of several routes between three to four ports on each coast. This will allow us the flexibility to continue sailing under various conditions. Our routes are designed to enable a 3 - 5 hour crossing.

--> The SailLink routes

Our vessels

Our crew and vessels will be fully certified and fit for purpose. The vessels will use the power of the wind as well as renewably charged, auxiliary electric propulsion for low impact travel and to maintain the schedule.

--> The SailLink ambition

Your experience

Step-aboard in a marina or harbour, just down the road from the train station, and set sail for your connecting destination or your weekend location. Take part in the sailing or sit back and relax. Feel the effect of the invisible force on the sails, keep an eye out for ships and watch the other coast grow closer. 

--> The saillink purpose


Where we're at

SailLink has conducted substantial feasibility, communication and testing. We've tried out the ports, the routes and we've clarified the regulations and procedures to make it a unique and fully compliant service. We've now started to build the team and join with partners to work towards a pilot phase and first season of operation. As soon as the Covid-19 eases sufficiently and it's responsible to do so, we will be offering places to the first pioneering passengers!

SailLink was successful in the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition

As a result it is currently acting as end-user partner for the UK DfT funded project "High performance reefable wingsails feasibility study". 

Sustainability

SailLink was founded in order to provide a sustainable means of transport where there is currently none. It is therefore a defining factor of what we do and how we do it. We recognise sustainability to concern  all human activities and that to restore the natural balances these must now focus on cleaning and regenerating the environment we depend on.

Equality, diversity & integration

SailLink is cross-channel & cross-boarder travel. In the same sense it is cross-cultures, cross-genders and cross-differences. As a form of public transport it is as inclusive as we are allowed to be. This extends from within our team and amongst our partners to our passengers and potential passengers.

 

Refugee rights & welfare

SailLink is a responsible service offering legal and safe travel. As such we can offer passage only to those with legal and valid travel documents and not to the desperate people risking everything to get to the UK to claim asylum. We can however help to raise calls for their immediate needs to be met and for an asylum system which lives up to our values.

Saillink Ltd

In a world of respected limits , using the wind would be the obvious source of propulsion and sailing would be just a normal mode of transport.
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