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 three main types of fort trip, a brand new cruise on the River Medway 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 2025/2026 Sailing Schedule.

 NEXT SAILINGS

Saturday 23rd March 2026

Grand Forts Tour

10:30-17:30 (approx)

£79 Per Head

Sail from Queenborough Harbour on this 7 hour (approx) adventure

out into the Thames Estuary to visit six great locations!

All three Maunsell Forts in the area, the Redsand Towers,

the Shivering Sands Towers, and the Knock John Fort: 

all famous for defending Britain in WWII

and as pirate radio bases in the 1960s,

plus the iconic Wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery

her cargo holds still filled with unexploded ordnance,

the imposing Kentish Flats Windfarm

and the Grain Tower Battery.

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

Scroll down for the full 2025/2026 Sailing Schedule

BRAND NEW TRIP

River Medway Aylesford Cruise

This six hours (approx) cruise sails from Queenborough Harbour (ME11 5EL) into the River Medway and all the way up the river to the stone bridge at Aylesford. The trip takes us past London Thamesport, Kingsnorth Power Station, in between two Napoleonic Forts, past the Medway Queen at Gillingham Pier, past Upnor Castle, Chatham Dockyard, past the Russian Submarine in Strood, under Rochester Bridge and past Rochester Castle. Once we have sailed below the Medway Bridge the river narrows and begins to twist and each turn brings a new treat: pillboxes, churches, beautiful scenery and the Friars Aylesford Priory. When we arrive at Aylesford Bridge we linger for a while before we turn and gently sail back to Queenborough.

The special seven hours (approx) version of this trip allows passengers to disembark at Aylesford and spend one hour ashore before returning to Queenborough.

£89 or £99 (1 hour ashore at Aylesford) per head  (June-August)

£84 or £94 (1 hour ashore at Aylesford) per head (April, May & September)

£69 or £79 (1 hour ashore at Aylesford) per head (October-March)

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.