BOWTT FAQ
Questions, answered.
Quick answers about boat booking, jetties, requests, captains and the BOWTT Android app.
What is BOWTT?
BOWTT is a digital boat booking platform for Lamu. It helps passengers find available boats and request captains, while captains can publish trips and receive passenger requests.
Can I book a boat in Lamu through BOWTT?
Yes. Passengers choose a pickup jetty and destination, select their travel preferences and request a boat immediately.
Which jetties does BOWTT support?
BOWTT uses configured boarding jetties in its Lamu network. The current public list is shown on the Jetties page and is maintained by BOWTT administrators.
Can I request a boat immediately?
Yes. For eligible routes, passengers can request a boat immediately. BOWTT uses the selected pickup jetty as the location anchor for matching nearby captains.
Does BOWTT work for boat captains?
Yes. Captains can manage their boats, publish trips, receive passenger requests and receive trip notifications.
Is there a BOWTT Android app?
Yes. Passengers use the BOWTT Android app to book a boat and follow their trip, with notifications along the way. Download it from the BOWTT app page. The Google Play Store version is coming soon.
Is there an app for captains?
Yes. BOWTT Captain is a separate Android app for captains. Go online, receive passenger requests, run your active trip, chat with passengers and get alerts even when the app is closed. Download it from the BOWTT app page or the Captains page. The Google Play Store version is coming soon.
Does BOWTT give me a receipt?
Yes. When your trip is completed BOWTT emails you a trip summary with the quoted amount. Once your captain confirms that you paid, BOWTT emails you a payment receipt. BOWTT does not receive your payment, so the receipt records what your captain confirmed and is not a tax invoice.
Who pays me back if there is a payment problem?
You pay your captain directly and BOWTT never receives or holds your fare, so BOWTT cannot refund or reverse a payment. Any refund that is due can only be issued by the captain. If you cannot resolve it with the captain, contact BOWTT support and we will help look into it.
How much does a trip cost?
You see the fare for your exact route, boat class and travel type before you request. Shared trips are priced per passenger and private trips have a fixed trip price.
What is the difference between Fast and Standard boats?
Fast boats are the quickest way across. Standard boats are a more affordable local option. You can choose one, or accept either and let BOWTT find whichever is available first.
What is the difference between Shared and Private?
A shared trip lets other passengers travel on the same boat, so the fare is per person. A private trip keeps the boat for you and your group.
What happens after I request a boat?
BOWTT finds an available boat and captain for you. Once one accepts you see the boat and captain, can call or message them to meet at the jetty, and can follow the trip until it is completed.
What if no boat is available?
If no boat can take your trip right now, BOWTT tells you straight away and lets you try the same trip again with one tap, or go back home to change your request.
Can I cancel a request?
Yes, while your request or booking is still in a stage that allows it. Once you have boarded and the trip is under way it can no longer be cancelled.
How do ratings work?
After a completed trip, passengers rate the captain and the boat, and captains rate passengers, from one to five stars. Ratings only come from real completed trips and help everyone travel with confidence.
Does BOWTT work without an internet connection?
BOWTT needs a connection to find and follow a boat. If you go offline the app tells you and reconnects automatically as soon as your signal returns.
Still have a question?
Talk to the BOWTT team.