# Carmarthen Bay Ferries Community Interest Company

Carmarthen Bay Ferries Community Interest Company known as Carmarthen Bay Ferries operates a Ferry in Carmarthenshire, Wales, offering scenic crossings and boat trips on the River Towy between the villages of Ferryside and Llansteffan. The boat "Glansteffan" is a specially designed amphibious vehicle, which features retractable wheels for easy access to the shore.

## History

Records indicate that a ferry service between the coastal communities of Ferryside and Llansteffan operated in some form or another since 1170 in the middle ages. The service was an important transportation link, carrying both goods and pilgrims en-route to St Davids, Pembrokeshire. Following improvements to road and rail links during the 20th century, the ferry service ceased to operate in 1948, leaving walkers and cyclists with an 18 mile trip up the estuary and down the other side.
The current ferry service run by has been in operation since 2018. The founding directors; Professor Kenton Morgan, Dr W Lesley Jones, Gerald Howells, Dr David Hunter, Robert Bamforth, Christopher Jones, and Mark Kessell were successful in applying for a £300,000 grant from the Coastal Communities Fund.

## 'Glansteffan' - today's ferry

Carmarthen Bay Ferries' boat Glansteffan was named by the pupils from the primary schools in Ferryside and Llansteffan, and takes its name from the Welsh for Ferryside (Glan y Fferi) and Llansteffan.
The boat was designed by Edgar van Smaalen of Bruce Roberts Europe bv marine architects based in Holland, she was built by Robust Boats of St Davids and utilises an amphibious wheel system supplied by Sealegs of New Zealand and as such is an international collaboration to produce this unique vessel.
Glansteffan is equipped with the latest safety and navigational aids, and the ferry crossings are dog-friendly, although dogs are not allowed on the longer boat trips.

### Statistics

Source:
| Hull length | 8 m |
| Hull beam | 3 m |
| Draft | 0.5 m |
| Total length (inc wheels and engines) | 9 m |
| Mass (without passengers) | 2,540 kg |
| Max loaded mass | 3,500 kg |
| Max speed (on land) | 8 kph |
| Max speed (on water) | 30 knots |
| Cruising speed (on water) | 15-20 knots |
| Range | 100 nautical miles |
| Engines (on water) | Twin Yamaha 115hp, Four-stroke engines |
| Engine (on land) | Vanguard marine 35hp engine, providing hydraulic power to raise/lower wheels and drive |
| Capacity | 2 crew, 10 passengers |
| Bikes/Wheelchairs | 5 bikes or 2 wheelchairs |

## Organisational Structure

Carmarthen Bay Ferries is managed and operated by a dedicated team of volunteers and paid professionals. The structure includes:
* Volunteer Directors: The board of directors is composed of volunteers who oversee the strategic direction and governance of the ferry service.
* Paid Contractor Skippers: The ferry is operated by professionally qualified and commercially endorsed skippers, who are responsible for the safe navigation and operation of the vessel.
* Volunteer Crewmates: Volunteers who assist on the ferry, supporting the skipper and enhancing the passenger experience.
* Volunteer Shore Crew: A committed team of volunteers who handle shoreside operations, ensuring the smooth boarding and disembarking of passengers.
This blend of volunteers and professionals ensures that Carmarthen Bay Ferries operates efficiently, maintaining high standards of safety and service while fostering a strong community spirit.

## Service

Glansteffan operates between Good Friday to October each year. Outside of school holidays, the service operates Friday, Saturday and Sunday, during school holidays, service is seven days a week.
Due to the tidal nature of the Towy estuary, Glansteffan is able to operate 2½ hours each side of High tide. Typically the first and last 45 minutes of this time are rapid ferry crossings between Ferryside and Llansteffan, passengers are not able to book these crossings. In between the two periods of ferry crossings, longer estuary and river trips are operated with durations ranging from 15 minutes to 60 minutes, (these can be booked in advance on their website) including popular sunset trips.
Glansteffan is available to charter for private parties, corporate events, filming and the scattering of ashes.

## Carmarthen Bay Ferries in the media

Glansteffan has made a number of appearances in national media including BBC Escape to the Country, ITV Wales Coast & Country and BBC Radio 4, The Patch and airing early 2025, BBC Wynne Evans and Joanna Page: Lost at Sea, and popular YouTubers, Cruising the Cut and Autoshenigans.

## Awards and recognition

2024 - Highly Commended (Best attraction/guest experience) in the Carmarthenshire Tourism Association Awards.
2022 - Listed by the Independent as one of the world's most spectacular ferry crossings.