A 104-year-old pirate-looking ship will see a passenger service return to a Kent port for the first time in a decade.

The Morgenster is a historic 48m tall sail training ship which will soon be taking passengers across the North Sea from Ramsgate on a "pioneer trip" travelling almost entirely by sail.

The vessel will set sail on May 1 and future crossings are "quite likely" after 10 years without ferry crossings at the port.

Karel De Boer is the founder of Fair Ferry, which is organising the trip and is investigating whether the ferry service between Ramsgate and Ostend in Belgium can be resumed permanently by sailing this route with passengers.

He told KentOnline: "A lot of people have wanted to book with us and we are almost fully booked.

"We are already thinking about next year."

The huge ship, which was built in 1919, will dock on a floating jetty close to the lifeboat station.

The 44-year-old chose the Port of Ramsgate for its "historic qualities" and because "it's been 10 years from the last ferry crossing there, so it seemed like a good time to see if we could bring it back".

The Morgenster - meaning Morning Star in Dutch - was originally built as a herring lugger before being converted into a motor fishing vessel in 1927.

After a period of use for sport fishing and hosting pirate radio stations, she was converted back to a sailing vessel in 1983.

She made her maiden voyage as a sail training ship in 2008.

The trip will take about four days and is described as a "mini cruise", however it is not the luxurious laid-back trip people may be used to.

Mr De Boer explained: "People who come on the boat will have the opportunity to help sail it and even steer the boat.

"It’s not mandatory, but we try to encourage people to take part in the sailing as much as we can.

"It is a training crew and they will get everybody involved with the sailing."

And while the interior of the boat is basic and designed for sailing, Mr De Boer assures "everything is there".

"It’s not a luxurious ship - it has two-person cabins and four-person cabins with shared showers.

"There is a lounge and eating area too.

"Everything is there but it’s not a luxurious cruise - it’s an expert sailing holiday."

As part of the mini cruise, passengers will be at sea overnight, something he describes as "a special experience".

He said: "There’s less light so you can see lots of stars.

"You can also see huge motorships with their lights on so it’s a really special atmosphere and experience."

Leader of Thanet District Council Ash Ashbee recently discussed her plans to reinstate commercial services at Ramsgate port.

The council is currently in the process of finding a vendor for the port, which could mean ferry holidays to France return.