Solar Heritage - Solar Powered Catamaran Trips
South East
Harbour Office, Itchenor, Chichester

Throughout the year you can join us for a trip on the solar-powered catamaran Solar Heritage. The boat is virtually silent and is a great way to visit the Harbour and learn more about the wildlife and history of this special place.

Discover Chichester Harbour, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, on Solar Heritage, our solar powered catamaran: 

• slip through the waters of beautiful Chichester Harbour on our virtually silent boat
• get up close to many of the birds and habitats that make this place so special - with an expert on board  - Bird Watching (to be scheduled later) and Seal Safari trips
• learn about the Harbour from our on-board experts
• charter the boat for a private trip for a celebration or group outing

For costs and booking please visit here

Vessel Information
Solar Heritage is an Aquabus C60, 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 50 passengers 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 in May 2004, after a 24 hour drive across Europe on three articulated lorries. On arrival she was reconstructed at Northshore Ltd by her Swiss engineers, brought over especially for the occasion.

Departure Points
Itchenor - Leave the A27 at the Stockbridge roundabout, taking the A286 towards the Witterings, then follow signs to Itchenor. Please queue from the sign along the stone wall in front of the Harbour Office at the end of The Street, 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 (summer season only) - Meet on the sea wall at the top of the public jetty from where Solar Heritage departs 15 minutes before departure time.  Please wait until you collected by the crew. There are pay and display car parks in South Street and North Street and free parking in Bridge Road car park.  

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