What is Tyne Cruises?

Experience the River Tyne like never before. Sightseeing cruises, wildlife tours, and private hires.

The Vessel

Sailing Through Centuries of Tyne History

Our 16-metre passenger catamaran was fully refitted in 2026. Certified to carry up to 98 passengers with 2 crew, she is purpose-built for stability and comfort on the River Tyne's tidal waters.

Canny Lass

16m Passenger Catamaran

Vessel Type	Catamaran
Dimensions	16 metres long x 6.5 metres wide
Capacity	98 passengers + 2 crew
Year	1985 with full refit in 2026
Speed	Cruises at 6 knots, Maximum 10 knots
Engines	Twin screw Hyundai Doosan Tier 3 320hp (2023)
Fuel consumption	3 to 15 litres per hour (each engine)

Our History

Originally built in 1985, re-engined in 2022, and comprehensively refitted in 2026.

The history of the “CANNY LASS"

The vessel now known as “Canny Lass” was originally built in 1985 by Marine & General Engineers Ltd. of Guernsey for the Channel Islands ferry operator Condor Ferries. She entered service under the name Condor Kestrel and was designed to provide passenger transport between the islands of the Channel Islands network, including routes serving Sark, where shallow draft and good passenger accessibility were essential. 

Constructed as a twin-hulled passenger catamaran, the vessel's design provided excellent stability, a characteristic that remains one of her strongest attributes today.

During her early commercial life, the vessel operated in the Channel Islands and surrounding waters, carrying passengers on scheduled services.

Following her time with Condor Ferries, she served in various passenger transport and excursion roles, including periods operating around Jersey and Torbay. 

Throughout these years the vessel established a reputation as a robust and economical passenger craft, capable of operating comfortably in sheltered coastal and estuarial waters.

Move to the Thames and Medway

After leaving Channel Islands service, the vessel was transferred to South-East England where she eventually entered service on the River Thames and River Medway.

In February 2016, the vessel was acquired by the Kent-based passenger operator Jetstream Tours. Following purchase, she undertook a delivery voyage from Jersey to Kent, arriving on the River Medway in April 2016 after a journey of approximately 32 hours. 

The vessel was renamed JACOB MARLEY, taking her name from the famous character in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. 

Passenger Cruise Operations (2016–2024)

Under Jetstream Tours ownership, Jacob Marley became the company's flagship vessel and operated a wide range of:

- Sightseeing cruises
- Private charters
- Corporate events
- River excursions
- Historical tours
- Estuary cruises
- Special event sailings

The vessel was certified as an MCA Class IV passenger vessel, capable of carrying up to  98 passengers on the Thames and Medway system

Gravesend–Tilbury Ferry Relief Service

In addition to tourism operations, Jacob Marley periodically served as a relief vessel supporting the historic Gravesend–Tilbury Ferry route.

This service is one of the oldest continuously operated ferry crossings in the United Kingdom, with the service finally coming to an end on 31st March 2024.

Her shallow draft, manoeuvrability and passenger layout made her well suited to ferry operations when required.

Thames Estuary & Redsand Forts Cruises

One of the vessel's most notable operational roles was carrying passengers into the Thames Estuary to visit the famous  Red Sands forts, often known as the Maunsell Sea forts.

According to the operator, Jacob Marley was one of the very few MCA-certified passenger vessels permitted to undertake these offshore excursions with large passenger numbers, carrying up to 60 passengers comfortably to the forts. 

These cruises became one of the signature attractions of for the Jacob Marley.

Major Machinery Upgrade 2022

In 2022, Jetstream Tours undertook a significant environmental and mechanical upgrade programme. The vessel's original engines, which were approximately 30 years old, were removed and replaced with modern Doosan DL08 engines meeting the latest Tier III emissions standards for inland vessels. 

This upgrade improved reliability, fuel efficiency, emissions performance, and environmental compliance.

The vessel subsequently can be operated using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel as part of the operator's sustainability programme. 

Returning passenger cruises to the Tyne

Acquisition for Tyne Cruises (2026)

In mid-2026, the vessel was acquired for a new life in the North East of England, restarting the previously popular River Tyne sightseeing cruises.

Following purchase, Jacob Marley underwent survey, refit and MCA inspection before she entered service on the River Tyne as the CANNY LASS, operating sightseeing cruises from the Newcastle City Marina under the Tyne Cruises brand.

The vessel underwent a full engineering, internal and external refit during this time, where all internal tanks and voids were refreshed, underwater work including antifouling and protective anodes were replaced, servicing to the steering gear and engines were completed, and a full external repaint was done to ensure the vessel entered service in the Tyne Cruises colours of black and white, a nod to the North East Geordie culture and the famous stripes of the city’s world football club.

July 2026

Arrival on the Tyne

When she arrived on the Tyne, CANNY LASS underwent a full cosmetic refit to bring the vessel up to 2026 standards, with new seating, flooring, catering equipment and electrical improvements.

The vessel's catamaran hull form, enclosed passenger accommodation and proven record carrying thousands of passengers safely on the Thames and Medway made her particularly suitable for all-weather tourism operations on the tidal River Tyne, with the crucial factor being her height, allowing her to pass under the Millennium and Swing Bridges without requiring then to open, ensuring passengers can experience a variety of cruise upriver and downstream of the vessels permanent mooring of the Newcastle City Marina.

CANNY LASS arrived on the Tyne for the first time on Saturday 11th July, after a 305 mile voyage over 37 hours of steaming from Chatham in Kent.

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