Thames Rockets launches

NEW SUMMER 2025 London's first Tourist Jet-Boat Attraction - Thames Rockets launches UK's first jet-propelled speedboat sightseeing boat up the Thames in April ready for SUMMER 2025!

Hold onto your hats, a new red Rocket lands on the Thames – "Rocket Rebel"!

THAMES ROCKETS, UK’s favourite family tourist attraction, is upgrading its fleet. The brand-new speedboat, christened Rocket Rebel, launches to the public on April 10, 2025. It will be the largest, fastest and most eco sightseeing speedboat ever seen on the River Thames.

Thames Rockets

Multi-award-winning UK’s No. 1 Outdoor Tourist Attraction and World’s No.8 Outdoor Tourist Attraction [TripAdvisor]

First-of-its-kind British flagship sightseeing boat Rocket Rebel – the new rebel in the fleet - is the latest addition to Thames Rockets' fleet of five boats.

At 16-metres, seating 26, it’s more than twice the capacity of existing London speedboat RIBS (12.5-metre Rigid Inflatable Boats). This allows for larger parties and private hire: corporate, celebrity, family, engagement, stags, hens and kids' pirate-themed parties.

Her new revolutionary lightweight aluminium design and fuel efficient twin 725hp jet-propelled engines makes her the largest, fastest, most long-wearing (RIBS wear out, aluminium boats last generations) and eco commercial speedboat on the Thames ever

Thames Rockets was founded by Guernsey boat entrepreneur Charlie Matheson – the pioneer of London's speedboat sightseeing. In 2006, he brought the first ever sightseeing speedboat (RIB) to the Thames. ROCKET REBEL is his latest brainchild.

Thames Rockets offers a unique sightseeing 'history humour'. See London's landmarks and learn fun facts from London’s finest comedic performers acting as on-board guides - when not rocketing downriver at up to 30 knots.

Female skippered by Charlene Peck, a highly qualified and experienced Thames Rocket boat skipper.

Bright red with Union Jack graphics, look out for Rocket Rebel rocketing up The River Thames this Summer – licensed to thrill, ready for the Easter holidays

Designed for high-speed carving turns skimming over the water, the lightweight, stripped-back, aluminium design is fitted with two 725hp (1,440hp) low-emission jet-propelled engines. (The current fleet have twin 440hp engines.) Five years in-planning, British-flagship Rocket Rebel is UK-designed-and-built at a cost of £1.5 million.

A UK first-in-class vessel, she is designed by British naval architects Chartwell Marine and built by Isle of Wight's Diverse Marine (who have a long maritime history of building strong, fast, lightweight aluminium commercial boats). Charlie Matheson, founder and MD of Thames Rockets, has worked with maritime barristers and the MCA maritime and coastguard agency to reinterpret uk licensing law to allow 26 passengers for the first time (up from 12) at high speed on this type of craft.

 Charlie Matheson, founder and MD of Thames Rockets

Rocket Rebel departs from the London Eye Pier heading downriver, passing some of London’s most iconic sights - Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Cleopatra’s Needle, Somerset House, Tate Modern, St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London Bridge, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge (the Crown Jewels) and The Tower of London before opening up in the ‘no speed limit zone’ down to Canary Wharf to speeds of 35mph.

Founder MD Charlie Matheson, 48, said: "Rocket Rebel has met all the passenger vessel licensing requirements whilst giving customers sensory connectivity with the elements, exciting turns and eye-watering acceleration. Rather a strong brief for British naval architects but they have delivered.

"She 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.

"We have not only doubled our capacity but also significantly reduced our carbon footprint with a more efficient engine and lower emissions, whilst carrying twice the numbers."

Rocket Rebel launches April 10 from London Eye Pier, SE1 7PB.

Tickets cost from £54.95 (adult) and £49.95 (child) - available online and from the London Eye ticket office. Boat rides last 50-minutes and run daily, 365 days a year (family friendly - no minimum age restrictions).

To book, or find out more, visit: www.thamesrockets.com, 020 7928 8933