As a registered charity, Swansea Community Boat Trust (SCBT) and our boat Copper Jack are run entirely by a dedicated team of unpaid volunteers and are licensed by the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA).

We offer boat trips for groups (Private Charters) and individuals on Public Sailings most of which typically last for 90 minutes. We also run special events such as Live Music Events (that are also open to the general public). 

All Public Sailings and Private Charters, with the exception of our Live Music Events, are accompanied by an entertaining and informative commentary on the history of Swansea from its Copperopolis days through to the present day. The commentary on Private Charters being optional.

Schools typically have very tight timelines for off-site trips, and depending on other factors (such as transport, travel time, numbers of pupils/classes, collaboration with other organisations etc), we are unable to publish set dates / times on our calendar. This being said, we will try our best to accommodate your requirements. 

When considering making a booking, we ask that you complete the online Provisional Booking form that can be found on our website. 

Please provide us with as much information as possible. For example, if you are flexible on days/times, this gives us a better chance of being able to accommodate your request. If you have a theme for something you are studying, let us know so we can try to accommodate that on the sailing.

Once we receive your form, we will try to provide you with a sailing(s) as requested. We will send you a confirmation email, together with an invoice and H&S information.

If you have any special requests, please note these on the form. Then, if we need to contact you to clarify anything, providing your contact details will help us get back to you.

SCBT strives to support schools by providing extremely low-cost charters, with each sailing (up to 90-minutes) costing just £75 for up to 40 passengers. Whereas, a Private Charter for 2025 costs up to £325.

One of SCBT’s charitable objectives is to advance the education of young people and others in regard to the inland waterways of Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and surrounding areas, of their history, their uses and their environment.

In support of these objectives, since its establishment in 2004, we have supported local  schools in providing what we have called the “Floating Classroom”

Our “Floating Classroom” project offers a unique learning experience for pupils of all ages.

Our commentators are adept at adjusting their talks to involve pupils of all ages and abilities across a variety of water/river related topics tailored to the needs of individual groups. For older pupils they can include more detailed information on the history of the river and its continuing evolvement. Some of our commentators are ex-school teachers themselves with experience at all levels of education, including children with special needs.

In addition to the talk as we cruise up the River Tawe, we have the possibility of spotting a variety of wildlife on the voyage.

With Swansea Museum and the National Waterfront Museum quite literally on our doorstep, schools often opt for combining a trip on Copper Jack with a tour of one of the museums.

This often works well when a school has more pupils (plus teachers/carers) than can be accommodated on Copper Jack for a single sailing. In such instances, schools may split the classes into two groups, with one joining a sailing, whilst the other is enjoying a tour of one of the museums. Then switching over for the second sailing / tour. 

When schools opt for two (and sometimes three) sailings in a day, a 60-minute sailing with a 30-minute switch over usually works best. Typically starting with the first sailing at 10am for 60-minutes, a 30-minute switch over with the second sailing starting at 11:30, returning at 12:30, just in time for lunch.

We do not currently offer a joint booking facility between the museums and Copper Jack, but to help make your own arrangements, the following links may help

• Swansea Museum: 
• Contact: Phil Treseder
• Telephone: 01792 653763
• Email: phil.treseder@swansea.gov.uk 
• Website: www.swanseamuseum.co.uk/school-visits
• National Waterfront Museum: 
• Telephone: 0300 111 2 333 
• Website: https://museum.wales/learn/schools/visit-our-museums/swansea/

Copper Jack can comfortably seat up to 40 passengers (pupils and teachers/carers) plus crew. The boat has an accessible toilet and is wheelchair accessible via a platform lift (capable of supporting up to 300KG).

Seating is arranged in a theatre-style format in 8x rows of 3+2 seats, all facing forward with a centre aisle.

Copper Jack has an enclosed cabin which protects passengers from inclement weather, and as no passengers are allowed outside the cabin during sailing, removes the risk of falling overboard!

Large windows to the sides (port and starboard), and forward (bow) as well as windows in the roof provide excellent visibility.

Unlike our Public Sailings that are open to anyone, our School Sailings are provided exclusively to the school making the booking. This means that other than our trained boat masters, crew and talkers, only the pupils and their teachers / carers will be onboard during the sailing.

All our staff are DBS checked.

As Copper Jack and crew are licensed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), we carry all the necessary fire fighting and life saving / first aid equipment. These include:

• 6 life rings
• 2 life rafts capable of holding 30 passengers each
• 47 adult life jackets
• 40 child life jackets
• 5 fire extinguishers
• 1 fire hose
• 1 first aid kit

As when flying on an aeroplane, a safety brief will be provided prior to departure.

Risk assessments, safety information and public liability insurance details can be made available on request.

A small galley serving hot and cold drinks as well as a small selection of snacks (crisps, flapjacks, Welsh cakes etc)

Schools may bring their own food / packed lunches onboard by prior arrangement.

Hopefully the above information answers many of your questions about hiring Copper Jack for a School Private Charter.

Should you have any further questions, you may find answers to many commonly asked questions (such as where are the nearest car parks, how do passengers in wheelchairs get on board Copper Jack) can be found on our FAQ page (https://www.scbt.org.uk/faq-menu/), or by contacting us.

Otherwise, we look forward to welcoming you aboard.