Saillink – connecting your journey by sail

Ziele/Ideen

Travelling by foot or bicycle between the UK and EU either involves planes and airports, ferries and terminals or one congested train route. A ferry terminal is an industrial facility for vehicles and therefore often not very close to the central train station. The channel tunnel connects already congested transport hubs, funneling passengers through places that may not actually be along the traveler’s preferred route, thereby exaserbating the problem. Additionally, neither of the existing travel types present a low to zero emission option, a Eurostar train having an equivalent energy demand to a large town.

Kurzbeschreibung

Saillink is a new form of passenger ferry and alternative link in journeys between the UK and European continent. It will use small sailing catamarans to transport a max of 12 passengers between easily accessible destinations along the English Channel. The purpose-built vessels will small enough to access central port locations rather than out-of-town industrial terminals. we aim to operate a return crossing in one day, thereby making it a regular day-job for our crew. As a non-exclusive sailing experience, Saillink is then travel with connection, and adventure with responsibility.

Resultate

In 2020 we conducted initial feasibility analysis, examination of the regulations and an initial exploration of the ports and routes of the Dover Strait area. In 2021 we have extended the feasibility analysis, refined the selection of ports and routes and had further communication and clarification from the border agencies. We have clarified that the UK’s exit from the EU has not imposed any further restrictions or barriers to the Saillink venture. We continue to extend our network of partners and advisers.
Environmentally, we are examining the use of bio-polymers for the construction of the Saillink vessel(s), the feasibility of charging batteries only from on-board renewable sources and the use of Saillink for oceanological research and monitoring.
The social value of Saillink will be in the small but convivial passenger numbers and the connection through mutual experiences.

Partner

Top Cat Cruising School: for early stage testing of routes and genereal advise

Marine Discovery: for advise who operate something very similar

Iconsys: technical feasibility of electric populsion

MetOffice: historical weather data

Saillink Ltd