Rocket Rebel, a 16m speedboat, is the latest brainchild of Guernseyman Charlie Matheson, who founded Thames Rockets in 2006.
‘This is what our amazing capital deserves – an exciting, eye-catching and contemporary way of seeing our glorious city at speed, from the water, with a massive sound system, all hosted by our actor-comedian guides,’ he said.
‘We have not only doubled our capacity but also significantly reduced our carbon footprint with a more efficient engine and lower emissions, while carrying twice the numbers.’
Thames Rockets has been operating for more than 18 years, but Mr Matheson’s boating businesses began with Island Rib Voyages. ‘As an islander, I’ve always loved the water. I knew there was a resident bob of seals off the islands around Herm as I’d spearfished in the area since I was a boy, and wondered why there were no boat tours to witness such mesmerising marine mammals in their natural habitat. In 2003 I started Guernsey’s first wildlife tourist sightseeing boat business.’
Mr Matheson managed the business, but also doubled up as tour guide alongside an on-board marine biologist.
After a few years operating in Guernsey, his father suggested that the London Eye would be an excellent location.
‘I wanted to bring something unique for this London-based tour, using performers, comedians and actors to guide the boats, to really add to the element of surprise,’ he said.
‘I wanted someone who could really read an audience and deliver the energy, humour and vitality that London and our customers deserved.
‘We’ve now been operating for over 18 years with millions of customers. I still love to wait on the dock listening to the customers applaud, knowing they have made memories to last a lifetime.’
Thames Rockets has featured on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, the One Show and The Apprentice.
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