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Solar Heritage
Scheduled Trips | Costs & Booking | Departure Points | Disabled Access | Groups | Refreshments | Refunds | Schools | Vessel Information | What to wear | Get Afloat! Fund | Video
Welcome aboard the Solar Heritage, our solar powered catamaran. Take a trip through this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with an experienced guide to help you learn about the environment of Chichester Harbour. On-board the engines are virtually silent as you glide along with plenty of time to admire the view and get up close to many of the birds and habitats that make this place so special.
Trips are available throughout the year or why not bring your own group for a personalised trip aboard the solar boat. For more information contact: 01243 513275 or solarboat@conservancy.co.uk
Costs and Booking
From Itchenor - booking in advance only, call 01243 513275. Tickets are £7 per adult and £3.50 per child (up to 16 years). All trips are 1.5 hours.
From Emsworth - pay on the day only. Tickets are £5.50 adults and £3 per child. All trips are 1 hour.
Departure Points
Itchenor Leave the A27 at the Stockbridge roundabout, taking the A286 towards the Witterings, then follow signs to Itchenor. Meet outside the Harbour Office at the end of the road, West Itchenor, 15 minutes before departure time. Parking is available in the pay and display car park signposted just before the Ship Inn. The boat will depart from the public jetty.
Emsworth Meet on the sea wall at the top of the public jetty from where the Solar Heritage departs. Please wait next to the 'Queue here until called' sign, 15 minutes before departure time. Pay and display car parks in South Street and North Street and free parking in Bridge Road car park.
Disabled Access
The boat has a wheelchair lift. It is helpful if you can let us know in advance if you will need to use the lift.
Group Bookings
Bring your club, community group or group of friends for a unique trip aboard the Solar Heritage. The boat can be booked by groups with trips arranged to suit your particular interest. An experienced guide will be on board to help you learn more about this special area. Trips for up to 50 people can be booked from either Itchenor or Emsworth depending on where the boat is currently stationed.
From Itchenor the minimum charge is £210 for up to 30 people on a 1.5 hour trip. Extra passengers will be charged at £7 per head.
From Emsworth the charge is £165 for up to 30 people on a 1 hour trip. Extra passengers will be charged at £5.50 per head. It is worth noting there are very few private trips available from Emsworth due to the limitations of tide, and the busy public schedule. The minimum charge also serves as a deposit and is payable in advance. To discuss your requirements please call the Solar Boat Booking Line on 01243 513275.
Refreshments
You are welcome to bring your own refreshments. Some cold drinks and snacks are sold onboard.
Refunds
At present we are unable to offer refunds if you have to cancel. If we have to cancel a cruise we will offer an alternative date or refund your money.
Scheduled Trips
Details of all the scheduled trips can be found in the what's on guide or download the pdf timetable. If the weather forecast is bad please check that the trip is still running on 01243 513275 before turning up.
Schools Use
A trip can either be booked on its own or as part of a day spent in the Harbour with the Harbour Education Service . An experienced teacher will be on board and the focus of the trip will be planned in advance to make sure the students get the most from the visit. The boat and crew have been fully certified by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to ensure that we are providing the highest level of safety whilst on board. Please contact the education team who will be pleased to provide more information, including costs, and discuss your requirements.
Vessel Information
The Aquabus C60 is a pollution-free, solar-powered catamaran that can reach 11 knots while transporting 60 people. However in Chichester Harbour we are licensed to carry a maximum of around 50 and speed is restricted to 8 knots.
Solar Heritage began life as one of three Solar powered ferries operating out of Neuchatel in Switzerland's Three Lakes Region (Les Trois Lacs), the area that hosted the Swiss 2002 National Exposition devoted to Nature and Technology. The three ferries carried people to and from one of the exhibitions in mid lake, on a continuous basis for six months between May and October 2002. The exhibition hosting the Solar ferries was devoted to Alternative Energy, and part of the reason for obtaining a solar powered boat by Chichester Harbour Conservancy was to heighten local awareness and interest in these matters.
The vessel has two sources of energy – electromagnetic energy from the sun and conventional energy from the National Grid. Questions are asked regarding operation in cloudy conditions. MW Lines have tested their vessel at night and have found it will even pick up an electric charge from moonlight! MW Lines, the Swiss manufacturer, specialise in designing Solar powered vessels and vehicles, used in different countries round Europe. The vessel is driven by two electric motors, one in each hull. Both have their own independent propeller and rudder linked to the same steering in the wheelhouse.
Solar Heritage arrived in Itchenor on Wed 21 st May 2004, after a 24 hour drive across Europe on three articulated lorries. On arrival she was reconstructed round the corner from the Conservancy at Northshore Ltd by her Swiss engineers, brought over especially for the occasion.
The benefits of using an electrically driven Solar Powered catamaran as opposed to more conventional fuel driven vessels are:
- Silent running therefore no disturbance to birds, animals or humans
- No exhaust emissions therefore no CO 2 contribution to greenhouse gases
- No wash as a result of the twin hull configuration therefore reduced salt marsh and estuary bank erosion.
What to wear
As the solar boat is open sided, please bring warm clothing as it is always more breezy than expected on the water.
Get Afloat! Fund
The Get Afloat! Fund helps disadvantaged children and adults to Get Afloat in Chichester Harbour on Solar Heritage. The Fund collects sponsorship from local businesses, which in turn translates into free trips with educational support on the Solar Heritage for groups who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to get afloat. Sponsorship opporunities start from just £200, please download the full details and donation form.
Principal sponsor 2009/10: Friends of Chichester Harbour
Other 2009/10 sponsors: Seafever, Sussex Litho, Hayling Yacht Co, Nutting Investments
If you think your group could benefit from the Fund please contact the Education Team.
Video of a Solar Heritage trip
sunny intervals
10mph