Post by ferryfast admin on Oct 19, 2011 13:42:05 GMT -5
Developer Makes Offer on Used Ferry
Posted by: Rachel Barnhart
Email: rbarnhart@13wham.com
www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Developer-Makes-Offer-on-Used-Ferry/HGSdAVOS_ECNy-R6-np92g.cspx?autoplay=1
Rochester, N.Y. – The man who wants to bring a fast ferry back to Rochester said he’s made a purchase offer on a used vessel.
Harper Sibley – a descendant of the famous Rochesterian who founded Western Union and a partner in a resort in the Bahamas– said he hopes to hear back within two weeks on his purchase offer. If accepted, Sibley believes he can have the boat running from Rochester to Toronto in the spring.
Sibley would not reveal any details about the ship, but said it is “not too far away.”
When we last talked to Sibley, he was shopping for a 150-passenger ship. But he said he now wants a 300-passenger ferry to capitalize on peak weekend traffic. “We’d be turning away a lot of people,” Sibley said, estimating demand to be 1,000 passengers on a busy summer weekend. He noted the Spirit of Ontario – Rochester’s first ferry – was sold out when there were big events in Toronto.
The Spirit of Ontario ship carried 700 people and was deemed too large for the market. It lost millions of dollars before folding in 2005.
Sibley needed $3 million to launch operations and said he has “most of it, but not all of it.” He said he will be able to buy the boat and bring it to Rochester, without the remaining money. He believes investors will come on board once they see the ship here.
Sibley said he has preliminary approvals on both sides of the lake to start service. “The heavy lifting has been done” by the previous ferry service, he said.
Officials in Rochester and Toronto confirm meeting with Sibley, but said there are no plans right now to resume service.
“We have not had any confirmation of a boat purchase or if Mr. Sibley has all of his investors in place. Our position is if Mr. Sibley can find the private investment and capital needed to start a ferry service, then we will provide the boat with a place to dock, as long as the operation requires no public subsidy and no taxpayer dollar investment. Is the plan realistic? Certainly,’ said Rochester spokesman Gary Walker in an email.
“Obviously we know the federal government is not going to be investing in ferries anymore in Rochester, but I certainly think it’s a good idea,” said Rep. Louise Slaughter, who has met with Sibley. “I have to know more before I say I’m optimistic but I’m certainly interested that he’s doing it.”
Sibley’s operation would run seasonally. There would be no cars on the ferry. The trip would take two and a half hours, the same as the previous ferry. One-way tickets would be $35 to $50.
Sibley said he has the wherewithal to pull this off.
“I think you have to be optimistic to do something as crazy as bringing this back to Rochester."
Posted by: Rachel Barnhart
Email: rbarnhart@13wham.com
www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Developer-Makes-Offer-on-Used-Ferry/HGSdAVOS_ECNy-R6-np92g.cspx?autoplay=1
Rochester, N.Y. – The man who wants to bring a fast ferry back to Rochester said he’s made a purchase offer on a used vessel.
Harper Sibley – a descendant of the famous Rochesterian who founded Western Union and a partner in a resort in the Bahamas– said he hopes to hear back within two weeks on his purchase offer. If accepted, Sibley believes he can have the boat running from Rochester to Toronto in the spring.
Sibley would not reveal any details about the ship, but said it is “not too far away.”
When we last talked to Sibley, he was shopping for a 150-passenger ship. But he said he now wants a 300-passenger ferry to capitalize on peak weekend traffic. “We’d be turning away a lot of people,” Sibley said, estimating demand to be 1,000 passengers on a busy summer weekend. He noted the Spirit of Ontario – Rochester’s first ferry – was sold out when there were big events in Toronto.
The Spirit of Ontario ship carried 700 people and was deemed too large for the market. It lost millions of dollars before folding in 2005.
Sibley needed $3 million to launch operations and said he has “most of it, but not all of it.” He said he will be able to buy the boat and bring it to Rochester, without the remaining money. He believes investors will come on board once they see the ship here.
Sibley said he has preliminary approvals on both sides of the lake to start service. “The heavy lifting has been done” by the previous ferry service, he said.
Officials in Rochester and Toronto confirm meeting with Sibley, but said there are no plans right now to resume service.
“We have not had any confirmation of a boat purchase or if Mr. Sibley has all of his investors in place. Our position is if Mr. Sibley can find the private investment and capital needed to start a ferry service, then we will provide the boat with a place to dock, as long as the operation requires no public subsidy and no taxpayer dollar investment. Is the plan realistic? Certainly,’ said Rochester spokesman Gary Walker in an email.
“Obviously we know the federal government is not going to be investing in ferries anymore in Rochester, but I certainly think it’s a good idea,” said Rep. Louise Slaughter, who has met with Sibley. “I have to know more before I say I’m optimistic but I’m certainly interested that he’s doing it.”
Sibley’s operation would run seasonally. There would be no cars on the ferry. The trip would take two and a half hours, the same as the previous ferry. One-way tickets would be $35 to $50.
Sibley said he has the wherewithal to pull this off.
“I think you have to be optimistic to do something as crazy as bringing this back to Rochester."