Your organisation's purpose:
We want to make active travel the new normal. To do this, SailLink will operate short sea crossings on a human scale for foot passengers and cyclists. Beginning with a seasonal daily service between Dover and Boulogne-sur-Mer. Our mission is to work with nature and modern technology to sail passengers between convenient destinations at a cost that is affordable to both people and planet.
What is your Impact Initiative?
A new cross-channel connection specifically for foot and bike passengers. Eco-adventure between convenient destinations.
We have identified how a scheduled service can work using hybrid sail-electric vessels operating between central locations, the power of prevailing winds and tides and regeneration through solar energy. This will be the first of its kind because it is only now feasible due to growth in the demand in eco-sensitive travel, developments in electric propulsion, port authority interest and availability of a suitable sailing vessel.
Operating a daily service to and from the home port of Dover, SailLink will also offer serious sailing careers to those with shore-based commitments such as a family. Underway passengers can join in with the sailing and in collecting data and samples for our ocean research partners (citizen science).
The impact your initiative has had:
We are currently in the launch phase but conducted a very successful pilot phase with first passenger last year.
Have you observed any direct benefits to your business or organisation as a result of the initiative?
Our business concept is based on offering a sustainable service.
Have you observed any benefits to your visitors as a result of the initiative?
Several of our passengers said it was the best travel they had ever done.
What category/categories does your initiative falls under?
- Encouraging public transport use
- Reducing energy use
- Nature positive initiatives – conserving, preserving or restoring landscapes, habitats & wildlife
- Local job creation
- Wellbeing
- Equality and diversity
- Preserving and protecting cultural heritage
Address:
32 Southgate, Crossgates, YO12 4NB. Soon relocating to Dover
Website:
Contact email address:
andrew@saillink.co.uk
