HISTORY buffs will be able to head into previously uncharted waters around Southend after a Leigh business was given the green light to expand.
Angus Browne, 34, set up Brownes Thames Estuary Boat Trips in 2021, and demand has “gone mental” ever since.
Visitors will be able to step aboard one of two beautifully designed boats and uncover the secrets of the Maunsell Forts.
The forts were armed towers built in the Thames and Mersey estuaries during the Second World War to help defend the UK.
They were operated as army and navy forts, and named after their designer, Guy Maunsell.
Mr Browne also intends to look at offering more tours now he can venture into Southend’s waters.
The new expedition experiences are thanks to the firm being handed a pleasure boat licence from Southend Council.
It means Mr Browne can now take paid customers out on the city’s waters and foreshore.
He said: “It’s such a pleasure to be able to get this accreditation from Southend Council, which will give me access to work on their waters.
“We need the licence so that we can operate our passenger boats in their section when we cross past Chalkwell.
“Because of this, it will give our passengers a piece of mind to say we are accredited for the partnership with Southend.
“As well as this, we are also looking at starting up new trips, such as to the Knock John Fort.”
On the tours, customers can learn about the history of the Thames Estuary all from the comfort of their boats Daisy Margaret and Starfish.
Voyages include going to Mulberry harbour, which were two temporary portable harbours developed by the British admiralty and the war office during the Second World War and the half-submerged American liberty cargo ship SS Richard Montgomery, also from the Second World War.
A 10-hour day trip to Tower Bridge is also available, where the skipper may allow a passenger to take control of the boat for a short while.
Being involved in the scouts and working on cockle boats has given the 34-year-old a wealth of knowledge about the Thames Estuary.
One visitor said: “We had a fab day. Angus was so friendly, very professional and had so much knowledge of the Thames Estuary and beyond.
“We will definitely book again and recommend to our family and friends.”
For more information about Brownes Thames Estuary Boat Trips, click here.
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