The TSBT is a registered charity that exists to preserve two Thames barges in sailing condition for the benefit of the public and to pass on the skills required to sail them. Although the TSBT owns the barges they are operated by a wholly owned trading subsidiary TSBT Sailing and Charters Limited. This is a non-profit company and all sailing fees and membership subscriptions are used to maintain and restore the barges and meet their operating expenses. The Trust has no salaried employees.
Experiencing in full the pleasures and excitement of sailing on an historic vessel such as a Thames Sailing Barge is not as difficult as one might imagine. The Thames Sailing Barge Trust, which owns both Pudge and Centaur, offers the opportunity to sail to various locations around the Thames Estuary, and also to take part in competition with other barges in the various barge matches arranged throughout the sailing season.