Sailings

Trips to the World War II Maunsell Forts – the Redsand Towers, the Shivering Sands Towers and the Knock John Fort, all also 60s Pirate Radio Bases, off the Southeast coast of England. We offer four main types of trip with some special event trips as well. 

Email xpilotkent@gmail.com or call UK 01795 487568 / 07960 574821 to make a booking or purchase a voucher.

Scroll down for the full 2024 Sailing Schedule.

NEXT SAILINGS


Grand Forts Tour

With ex Pirate Radio DJ Bob Le-Roi

Saturday 14th September 2024

11:30 - 18:30 (approx)      £94 per head

Sailing from Queenborough out into the Thames Estuary

and visiting the Redsand Towers, Shivering Sands Towers,

the Knock John Fort,

the Kentish Flats Wind Farm, the Grain Tower Battery,

and the iconic Wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery,

offering fantastic photographic opportunities at all locations.

Only four spaces left!


Sat 21st & Sun 22nd September 2024

X-Pilot is at the 

Queenborough Harbour Classic Boat Festival

Come see us and look around X-Pilot

plus many other classic vessels

including Steam Tug Challenge and Tug Kent


Grand Forts Tour

With ex Pirate Radio DJ Bob Le-Roi

Friday 27th September 2024

11:30 - 18:30 (approx)      £84 per head

Sailing from Queenborough out into the Thames Estuary

and visiting the Redsand Towers, Shivering Sands Towers,

the Knock John Fort,

the Kentish Flats Wind Farm, the Grain Tower Battery,

and the iconic Wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery,

offering fantastic photographic opportunities at all locations.

Selling fast!


Cruise the River Medway

with Paddle Steamer Waverley

Sunday 29th September 2024

13:00 - 17:00 (approx)      £64 per head

Sailing from Queenborough and meeting

Paddle Steamer in the River Medway 

and shadowing her trip

offering fantastic photographic opportunities.

Selling fast!


Liaise at Knock John and

Shivering Sands Forts

with Paddle Steamer Waverley

Sunday 6th October 2024

12:00 - 18:30 (approx)      £99 per head

Sailing from Queenborough out into the

Thames Estuary to the Shivering Sands

where we liaise with the Waverley briefly

then on to Knock John Fort to liaise

with Waverley for the first time!

Offering unique and fantastic 

photographic opportunities!!


Email xpilotkent@gmail.com or call UK 01795 487568 / 07960 574821 to make a booking

Scroll down for the full 2024 Sailing Schedule

Grand Forts Tour

Sail from Queenborough Harbour (ME11 5EL) on a superb seven hour (approx) adventure that is exclusive to X-Pilot. Please note that this trip goes out into exposed waters and can, on occasion, be a wet and wild ride. We visit…

Spend twenty minutes (approx) at each location for photography opportunities

£99 per head (June-August)

£94 per head (April, May & September)

£79 per head (October-March)

Redsand Towers Trip

Sail from Queenborough Harbour (ME11 5EL) out into the Thames Estuary and on to the Redsand Towers

Three hours thirty minutes trip (approximately)

Spend an 20 minutes (approx) sailing around and between the towers.

£64 per head (June-August)

£59 per head (April, May & September)

£54 per head (October-March)

Forts Tour

Sail from Queenborough Harbour (ME11 5EL) to the Redsand Towers, the Shivering Sands Towers and the iconic wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery

Five hours thirty minutes trip (approximately)

Spend twenty minutes (approx) at each location for photography opportunities

£84 per head (June-August)

£79 per head (April, May & September)

£69 per head (October-March)

REDSAND FORT & MONTY TRIP

Sail from Queenborough Harbour (ME11 5EL), on this four hours (approx) trip, out into the Thames Estuary and on to the Redsand Towers, where we spend twenty minutes sailing around and between the towers. We also visit the Wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery on this trip and spend fifteen minutes (approx) at this iconic location of the WWII ship with its cargo of unexploded munitions.

£69 per head (June-August)

£64 per head (April, May & September)

£59 per head (October-March)

Email xpilotkent@gmail.com or call UK 01795 487568 / 07960 574821 to make a booking or purchase a voucher.

All trips are also available to purchase as a dated voucher, an undated voucher or simply for a specified amount.

2024 Sailing Schedule

The sailings table below works differently depending on the device you use to view this site. Either scroll within the window or click to open in a new window/tab. You can also download the Sailings Sheet if required. Or you can call UK 01795 487568 / 07960 574821 to request that a copy be sent by email or post.

X-Pilot 2022 Sailings

Email xpilotkent@gmail.com or call UK 01795 487568 / 07960 574821 to make a booking or purchase a voucher.

These are all non-boarding trips, but they are still the best way to see and photograph the towers because X-Pilot has years of experience in Fort Trips and we get closer than any other vessel! On the Redsand Towers Trips you can expect to spend one hour (approx) sailing between, through and around the towers offering some exceptional opportunities for photography. On the Grand Forts Tours and Forts Tours we spend around 30 minutes (approx) at each location. Please note that all return times are approximate.

Alan Harmer, the Captain of X-Pilot, and Martin Harmer, the Owner of X-Pilot, welcome your call if you wish to discuss the details or have any questions. Both Alan and Martin can be contacted on 01795 487568. You can also call Martin on 07960 574821 where you can leave a message and be called back.


All trips are also available to purchase as a dated voucher, an undated voucher or simply for a specified amount.


The Small Print

All sailings are subject to the weather and tidal restrictions. Payment for individual bookings is in advance and becomes non-refundable seven days prior to the sailing date. Hire of the boat for a party is payable in advance. Hire of the boat is non-refundable. Every effort will be made to find a mutually suitable alternative date should the trip be cancelled due to the weather. Should you need to cancel your trip due to personal reasons we will be happy to discuss this and provisionally arrange a mutually suitable alternative provided we are given a minimum of 48 hours notice.


Email xpilotkent@gmail.com or call UK 01795 487568 / 07960 574821 to make a booking or purchase a voucher.