On 22nd October, Coastal Cruises Poole turns two.
Two years of harbour adventures, Jurassic Coast views, sunset sailings and celebrations. Two years of welcoming people aboard, waving from the quay and answering the question, “Will we see any dolphins?”
And two years since a very uncertain future became the start of something rather special.
Six weeks to keep the boats sailing
Back in 2024, we learned that the Poole operation was due to close. Having spent years working alongside the team, I knew exactly what that meant: jobs, livelihoods and a much-loved part of Poole Quay were at risk.
I couldn’t stop thinking about whether there was a way to keep it going.
A management buyout became that opportunity. What followed was six weeks of phone calls, decisions, paperwork and lists. Very long lists.
We needed a company name, a website, booking systems, supplier accounts, uniforms, signage and about a hundred other things that only seemed to reveal themselves once we thought we were nearly finished.
Every time we crossed one job off, another three appeared. There were nerves, late nights and a fair amount of wondering what on earth we had taken on.
Then came the moment we could tell the team.
Their reaction reminded me why we were doing it. We had a chance to keep our people together and give the boats a future.
Coastal Cruises Poole was born.
Three boats, one brilliant team
Solent Scene, Island Scene and Fortuna have each played their part in our story.
They’ve carried families exploring the harbour, visitors discovering Old Harry Rocks, friends celebrating special occasions and guests enjoying fish and chips with a view that takes some beating.
But boats need people, and ours have some wonderful people behind them.
Our captains and crew keep everything moving on the water. Our kiosk and office teams help people choose their adventures, organise bookings and keep track of the many details that make a sailing happen.
Much of that work goes on quietly behind the scenes. Preparing the boats, checking the weather, answering enquiries, cleaning, maintaining and making sure we’re ready to welcome the next passengers aboard.
Then there are the moments when the weather has other ideas, plans change and everyone pulls together.
I have always known we had a good team. These last two years have shown me just how much we can achieve together.
There have been a few laughs along the way…
Running a boat business takes hard work. Fortunately, our team also knows how to have a laugh.
There have been office-versus-crew photo wars, questionable excuses for “sampling” suppliers’ products and plenty of friendly teasing between the quay and the wheelhouse.
Recently, we took the team to France aboard Barfleur to say thank you for their hard work over the summer. There was food, sunshine, dolphins, a beautiful sunset and enough funny photographs to keep us supplied with social posts for quite some time.
A few photographs will be staying firmly in the team chat.
Days like that matter. After a busy season looking after everyone else, it was lovely to spend time together and enjoy being the passengers for a change.
Thank you for choosing us
To everyone who has sailed with us over the last two years: thank you.
Perhaps you joined us for a holiday adventure, brought visiting family out on the harbour, celebrated a birthday aboard or simply decided that a sunny afternoon deserved a boat trip.
Every booking has helped us build this business. So has every recommendation, review, return visit and lovely conversation at the kiosk.
We’re also grateful to the local suppliers, attractions and organisations we work alongside. Being part of Poole and Swanage means a great deal to us, and those relationships help us give our passengers more reasons to visit and explore.
Here’s to our third year
The early days were exciting, exhausting and, at times, frightening. There was a great deal to learn and very little time to learn it.
Looking back now, I’m proud of what we have built. Most of all, I’m proud of the people who helped make it happen.
We still have plenty of ideas, plans and adventures ahead. The team may look slightly nervous whenever I announce, “I’ve had a brilliant idea,” but I like to think they would be disappointed if I stopped.
So, happy second birthday to our little Coastal Cruises family.
Thank you for helping us keep the boats sailing. We look forward to welcoming you aboard for the next chapter.
Carol Scott
Managing Director, Coastal Cruises Poole