Raybel Charters

Part business, part campaign, part arts project, Raybel Charters was born from a desire to inspire and create change towards a climate-conscious and socially just system of trade.

Their work is based around the themes of water, trade, transport, nature, heritage and people. They aim to work collaboratively, inclusively and creatively, on a global and a local scale.

Raybel Charters' home is the Thames estuary, from central London to the coast of Kent – but from there they extend out, from estuary to ocean, from creek to canal.

Blending art, environmentalism, and heritage, this unique project will fuse musical performances, spoken word, and storytelling. At its heart is the historic 1920s Thames Sailing Barge Raybel, which will serve as the focal point for a creative exploration of the Thames estuary. Musicians and performers will respond to this dynamic waterscape—shaped by time and place, commerce and leisure, sanctuary and danger—a natural environment we both exploit and nurture.

The performances, incorporating traditional and indigenous instruments, will reflect on our individual and collective connections to the estuary. Taking place during voyages between the Isle of Sheppey and Canvey Island, passengers will experience immersive performances combining music and storytelling, all carrying a compelling message for a more sustainable future.

As rising sea levels increasingly threaten estuary communities, the project will bring together creative expression and scientific knowledge to raise awareness. It seeks to inspire communities to foster a deeper relationship with the estuary, with an appreciation of how it both supports and threatens life.