Owners and operators Richard and Sue would like to welcome you aboard our vintage lifeboat “The Chieftain”.

Enjoy a 90 minute seal safari or a half hour cruise around the bay departing from the historic harbour of Whitstable, Kent.

We are a small local family run business with a warm and friendly welcome to make your trip aboard our lifeboat both enjoyable and memorable.

Seal Safari

Join us for a 90 minute cruise to see the seals.

£30 per person

Around the Bay

Enjoy a 30 minute boat trip around the bay

£10.00 per person

"The Chieftain" History

Since 1948 and with 33 years of saving lives at sea, discover the history right up to today.

					  Amazing experience, fantastic service - Wow excellent communication very responsive in emails. Very professional and friendly we had a fantastic day today sunny very calm water, friendly staff,what more could anyone want?

A fantastic day... read more had by all . Below is gorgeous also

Very highly recommend				
Amandavic
April 11, 2024 

					  First time boat trip! Vintage Lifeboat.  - I had been wanting to take a trip on the vintage lifeboat for ages and today I finally did! 

The booking office is easy to spot with the... read more boat just alongside in the harbour. (I actually took the trip on my own today and was made very welcome) 

The boat was surprisingly comfortable given its heritage as a vintage lifeboat and we were blessed with beautiful weather. The sea was calm but with just enough movement to give the boat a gentle sway which was very relaxing. While it was nice to see the coast line from out at sea, what I enjoyed most was the complete peacefulness of the trip. 

Half an hour is just the right amount of time to experience a boat if you’re not familiar with sailing and I am now very much looking forward to taking the longer trip out to see the Seals next month (with my family next time). 

The cost of the trip was very affordable and would make a fabulous gift for someone, and it’s great to be able to support a local family run business at the same time. Highly recommend.				
Scandigirl12
April 8, 2024 

					  A great experience.  - We had a great time out in their superbly restored Lifeboat.Very efficient and friendly atmosphere.Will be booking again for a longer trip.It is a real piece of history.... read more 				
Clive E
April 2, 2024 

					  Lovely outing on vintage lifeboat  - Wonderful trip on this beautiful vintage lifeboat. Passionate, knowledgeable and friendly it was a lovely way to spend some time in Whitstable. Sue was incredibly responsive and helpful on email... read more when trying to decide what time outings to book onto. We took our 18month old little boy with us and they were great with him, letting him ring the bell, fitted his life jacket and he loved the friendly dog. The dog came on the boat which was lovely, the staff checked with everyone that they were comfortable with the dog which was nice. Highly recommend this trip				
Trek711948
March 31, 2024