With Eurotunnel beset with delays due to technical issues and post-Bexit border controls, perhaps the time has come to consider the alternatives.
Promising a channel crossing catering to ‘you, your bike and your eco-adventurous spirit‘ start-up Sail Link will use a catamaran yacht to cross between the heart of one coastal town to the other, in an adventurous 3 to 4-hour trip.
Sail Link is currently testing the feasibility of several routes between three to four ports on each coast. This choice of routes will allow the operators the flexibility to continue sailing under various conditions.
The company aims to start a daily service next spring.
Long distance travel and the power of sail
Long distance travellers should have an environmentally friendly alternative to flying, according to VoyageVert, the pioneers behind a new breed of fast passenger ships for sailing the Atlantic and beyond. Long haul flights account for 750 million tons of CO2 emitted into our atmosphere each year and there is currently no practical alternative.
VoyageVert wants to offer travel by fast sailing ships as stepping stones between continents so that travellers do not have to fly or use fossil-fuel powered vessels. The team aims to have a trans-Atlantic passenger service in operation soon. Perhaps the ubiquitous fly/drive holiday will face competition from a sustainable alternative. Sail/cycle trip anyone?
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
David
OK, So some idiot (it looks like it is me this time) had to ask the Bleedin’ obvious question of what happens when the wind drops?
Chris
Dave,
I you’d looked at their website, they say this:
“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.”
antvren
“The team aims to have a trans-Atlantic passenger service in operation by 2020.” 2020’s gone. Is this an old article?
Great idea. I’m a believer in slow travel – see the World, travel slow. You miss so much flying.
Penny Price
I would love to see sailing opportunities across the north sea, its difficult to get to Scandanavia without flying….
Thomas Rigby
Great idea, I’m all for old time transport and a sailing boat across the Atlantic sounds just right to me. Size will have to be right to face Atlantic rollers, but I guess they’ve thought of that!
When does the service start?