ALMOST two years ago, Charlie Matheson left a career in finance to start an unusual tourist attraction – Island Rib Voyages – and it has more than paid off. The concept, educational tours in a speedboat of the Bailiwick coast, with insight into its marine biology, was an instant hit.

Within a year he had not only established a sister operation in Jersey but also extended the brand to a sightseeing tour on the Thames in central London.

The company fought off competition from Submarine and Spike Productions to be crowned best small business.

Mr Matheson, 29, said the success of the company relied on constantly improving and developing an innovative, educational and enjoyable leisure attraction.

‘This affects our business at every level, from the quality of guiding to the care taken in kitting out customers for their trip,’ he said. ‘We also strive to actively engage the community by informing them through the local media about what is going on in the sea and we ensure our tours are accessible to a complete spectrum of society.’

Mr Matheson was also very proud to be carbon-neutral and firmly believed all businesses should be required to be by law.

He said the company had an extremely strong ethical policy.

‘Our engines are the most fuel-efficient and have the lowest emissions of any outboard on the market today,’ he said. ‘But we are aware that we use fossil fuels at a greater rate than the average person and that this is a cost that has to be paid back to society.’

The company achieves carbon-neutral status by calculating the amount of fuel used in every season and offsetting the carbon debt by funding tree-planting projects.

Island RIB Voyages opened for business with one vessel at the end of May 2005. It offered two main tours – one east and north of Herm and the other exploring Guernsey’s south coast.

Its first five months were very busy. That winter, Mr Matheson purchased a second vessel and improved the booking and administration system. John Wills was employed as Guernsey manager.

Next, Mr Matheson took on London.

‘For years I had recognised the Thames as the best sightseeing area in the UK and saw it as an ideal location to extend the brand.’

He approached British Airways, which runs the London Eye, with a comprehensive proposal. Once terms were established and the infrastructure put in place, London RIB Voyages opened for business last April.

Early 2006 also saw Island RIB Voyages established in Jersey.

‘The States of Jersey was very enthusiastic and granted me permission to erect a kiosk near the proposed boarding area at the Victoria Marina. It also installed a new boarding pontoon to ensure everything was logistically easy.’

It opened for business in late July 2006.

Staff numbers have grown in Guernsey from three to six, with an additional two planned for 2007. The London operation now employs four full-timers and Jersey has three part-time staff.

‘As there is no template for the development of this type of business, all the ideas to improve our operation are developed by the staff doing the job.’

The vessels are available on a skippered basis to the Fire and Rescue Service to provide a quick response for the neighbouring islands.

Mr Matheson said safety was paramount.

‘We have very strict internal guidelines on conditions that we can sail in and monitor the forecast at all times. All our skippers are of course fully qualified and we have our own procedure to ensure they have enough knowledge of local waters.’

Island Rib Voyages is developing two new local attractions for this year and next.

‘We don’t believe Guernsey’s tourist industry takes full advantage of the natural resources the island has to offer its visitors,’ said Mr Matheson. ‘We hope that with the support of the States and the Harbour Authority, we can continue to realise the visions of what we want to provide.’