Boats & Stocks

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SeaCat Celebrates a Decade of Service
LONDON, May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Sir Reg Empey MLA, Minister for the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment, today paid tribute to the tremendous contribution made by SeaCat to the economy of Northern Ireland.

Guests at a special luncheon in the Belfast Harbour Commissioners offices heard him congratulate the company, which is celebrating 10 years of fast ferry service between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

SeaCat, the pioneers of fast ferry travel on the Irish Sea, first sailed on June 1st, 1992 from Belfast to Stranraer. The introduction of the wave-piercing catamaran 'SeaCat Scotland' had a major impact on the ferry market, as the craft's high technology represented a breakthrough and for the first time day trips became a practical possibility.

The benefits, both economic and social of the SeaCat operations on the Irish Sea have been evident on both sides of the water, not only through direct employment but also through trade and tourism.

The Minister said: "Ease of access to Northern Ireland, is probably the most important factor in maximizing tourism potential."

"This year Northern Ireland is looking forward to a strong recovery in tourism and attracting our near neighbors as holiday visitors from Scotland, England and the Isle of Man, is key to our success.

"SeaCat has provided a massive contribution to the tourism and leisure industry and over the years has shown its confidence by working with, and encouraging, many tour operators to provide holiday packages to Northern Ireland."

The Minister continued: "Last year, despite travel restrictions as a result of Foot and Mouth, we saw growth in visitor numbers from Great Britain of 11% and from Scotland, of 16% and I believe that this provides a very sound springboard for further growth this year.

"With an increased marketing presence in key overseas markets through Tourism Ireland Ltd, I am also confident of significantly increasing visitor numbers from outside the UK and boosting the contribution that the tourist industry can make to the local economy."

Hamish Ross, Managing Director of Sea Containers' Irish Sea Operations explained: "We are proud to have served the communities of Northern Ireland and Scotland for the past decade and to have played a significant role in contributing to the success of the commercial and tourist industry. We look forward to continuing our high standard of service on all our seven routes in the Irish Sea."

In 1999, SeaCat took the decision to move its Scottish base 60 miles further up the Ayrshire coast to Troon, considerably shortening the traveling time from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

"The decision to move to Troon has proved to be highly successful, in just three years we have already carried over one million passengers and a quarter of a million cars," Mr. Ross said.

This has also been a major benefit to a number of tour operators who work closely with SeaCat. As highlighted by Dermot Cairns, Marketing Manager of short break specialists Travelbreak, "Since SeaCat moved to Troon our short break business to Glasgow has trebled. The sailing time and short onward journey gives families and couples the chance to pack up their cars and be in Glasgow in a few short hours."

SeaCat also operates routes from Belfast to Heysham and the Isle of Man. It is part of the Sea Containers group of companies, which has worldwide passenger transport interests including the operation of a fast ferry fleet of 16 craft in 11 countries, Britain's fastest railway GNER which operates the UK's East Coast main line as well as marine cargo manufacture and leasing plus leisure based operations which include the world famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

Visit the SeaCat web site at: http://www.seacontainers.com



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