Open-top sightseeing specialist Big Bus Tours will extend its zero-emission scope with the entry into service of a Seahorse Amphibious Vehicles battery-electric model on a new land and water tour in London
It will be deployed via the Lack’s Dock slipway by the MI6 building on Albert Embankment and represents a claimed world first. A Big Duck Tours brand has been adopted by Big Bus for the vehicle.
The new tour has come about after a 15-year lease giving exclusive use of the slipway was granted by the Duchy of Cornwall to London Amphibious Tours. Big Bus Tours is working in partnership with the leaseholder to deliver the offering.
The lease was awarded following a two-stage tender process conducted by the Duchy. Use of a battery-electric vehicle was central to the London Amphibious Tours bid.
Manufacturer Seahorse Amphibious Vehicles is a sister company to London Amphibious Tours. Diesel examples of its products are already in use in multiple locations, but the builder says that a zero-emission model is the result of 10 years’ research and development.
The type has been purpose-built from the ground up and it is fully compliant with current UK maritime safety legislation and pending European regulations. Maximum water speed is eight knots while on land it is limited to 30mph.
Seahorse Amphibious Vehicles is based in Slough and Southampton and has 25,000 square feet of manufacturing space. It claims to be the only company to design, manufacture and operate its own amphibious vehicles.
London Amphibious Tours and Seahorse Amphibious Vehicles Executive Chairman Graham Lumley says: “We are immensely proud to have secured a long-term lease at this prestigious site, for which we thank the Duchy of Cornwall.
“We have been passionate about expanding the duck tour concept for many years, and today’s announcement underscores Seahorse’s continued evolution as a global leader.
“This marks a significant step in Seahorse’s strategy to establish a production line capable of delivering up to 24 amphibious vehicles per year from our UK headquarters in Slough within the next 12 months.”
Adds Big Bus Tours Executive Chairman Pat Waterman: “We are very excited to work with London Amphibious Tours and Seahorse to provide amphibious tours in London. These tours will become an iconic part of the London tourism scene, adding new layers of opportunity to our hop-on, hop-off operation.
“We look forward to our recently announced Big Duck Tours brand becoming synonymous with ‘must do’ tourism activities in London.”
