Built for brown water.
Nine boats, all maintained at our own slipway at Ikorodu, crewed by people who grew up on the river.
Three kinds of boat
Example fleet for this demo.
| Class | Seats | Used on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogun Star catamaran | 60 | Ogun River Express | Shallow draught for the dry season, covered lounge for 12 |
| Lagoon Swift | 40 | Lagoon Link, Epe Coast | Fast hull, open main deck, covered bow lounge |
| Oyan Belle | 80 | Oyan Lake Cruise, charters | Two decks, galley kitchen, toilets on board |
Inside the boats
Tap a photo to see it larger. Photos for this demo.
Every sailing, every time
- Count the jacketsThe deckhand counts one jacket per seat before boarding opens.
- Count the peopleNobody boards without a ticket, so the manifest matches the passengers.
- Brief the boatA two-minute safety briefing in English and Yoruba before we leave.
- Watch the weatherThe dispatch office checks wind and visibility before every sailing and can hold any boat.
- Radio inEvery boat reports to dispatch at each jetty and every 20 minutes between.
Jackets in every size
Adult, child and infant jackets on every boat, with whistles and lights.
No night sailings on the river
The Ogun River Express sails only in daylight.
Rested crews
Captains work no more than eight hours on the water a day.
Step-free boarding
Ramps at Lafenwa, Ikorodu and Falomo. Tell us when you book and the crew will help.
Bags stowed
Nothing in the aisles. Big bags go to the cargo deck.
First aid on board
A first aid kit and a trained crew member on every sailing.
People of the river
Most of our captains grew up in fishing families along the Ogun and the lagoon, and every one holds a boat master’s licence and a first aid certificate. Deckhands train for six months before they work a sailing alone.
Our slipway at Ikorodu services every boat on a fixed schedule: engines every 250 hours, hulls every dry season. Example programme for this demo.
Is alcohol allowed on board?
No alcohol is sold or allowed on scheduled sailings. Adults only may drink on private charters, with the captain’s agreement.
Can I bring a pet?
Small pets in a carrier, on the main deck.
Are there toilets?
On the Oyan Belle and Ogun Star. Lagoon Swift trips are short and have none.
What if I feel unwell on board?
Tell the crew straight away. Every boat carries first aid and can radio for help at the next jetty.