Post by ferryfast admin on Apr 15, 2005 21:00:30 GMT -5
Fast ferry set to sail away
SATURDAY , 16 APRIL 2005
By KIM RUSCOE
STUFF.CO.NZ
www.stuff.co.nz/
The Interislander's Lynx makes its final sailing tomorrow, possibly bringing to an end the use of fast ferries on Cook Strait.
The Incat 046 arrived in Wellington in December 2003, completing two summer season runs.
Its final sailing will be from Picton tomorrow night, before it leaves for Australia on Monday with a skeleton crew of 13.
Interislander owners Toll Shipping has confirmed it is reviewing its fleet configuration and considering axing the fast ferry service.
It is believed to be negotiating to lease a 1600-passenger ferry now operating in the Baltic Sea under the name Stella Challenger, which it hopes will be in Cook Strait service by next summer.
Spokeswoman Jess Batchelor said most of the Lynx's catering crew were on fixed six-month contracts, expiring at the end of the month.
Many worked on skifields in the winter. Others were heading to Britain to work on ferries during the northern hemisphere summer season. Some would be re-employed on the company's conventional ferries, Arahura and Aratere, she said.
Cabin attendant Tania Christian, 24, started working on the Lynx in November and was disappointed it would probably not be returning.
"I absolutely love it. I wish it was coming back", she said.
Previously, Ms Christian had worked in a call centre but hankered for a job with people contact.
Fast ferries have been operating on Cook Strait for 10 years.
The Interislander's first real competition arrived in May 1999 with the arrival of Top Cat's Incat 050 fast ferry.
The Interislander fought back, bringing in a Condor Vitesse the following summer. Although the boat was smaller than Top Cat's it could carry 150 more passengers.
A year later Top Cat folded, citing unfair competition from the Interislander as its reason for pulling out.
SATURDAY , 16 APRIL 2005
By KIM RUSCOE
STUFF.CO.NZ
www.stuff.co.nz/
The Interislander's Lynx makes its final sailing tomorrow, possibly bringing to an end the use of fast ferries on Cook Strait.
The Incat 046 arrived in Wellington in December 2003, completing two summer season runs.
Its final sailing will be from Picton tomorrow night, before it leaves for Australia on Monday with a skeleton crew of 13.
Interislander owners Toll Shipping has confirmed it is reviewing its fleet configuration and considering axing the fast ferry service.
It is believed to be negotiating to lease a 1600-passenger ferry now operating in the Baltic Sea under the name Stella Challenger, which it hopes will be in Cook Strait service by next summer.
Spokeswoman Jess Batchelor said most of the Lynx's catering crew were on fixed six-month contracts, expiring at the end of the month.
Many worked on skifields in the winter. Others were heading to Britain to work on ferries during the northern hemisphere summer season. Some would be re-employed on the company's conventional ferries, Arahura and Aratere, she said.
Cabin attendant Tania Christian, 24, started working on the Lynx in November and was disappointed it would probably not be returning.
"I absolutely love it. I wish it was coming back", she said.
Previously, Ms Christian had worked in a call centre but hankered for a job with people contact.
Fast ferries have been operating on Cook Strait for 10 years.
The Interislander's first real competition arrived in May 1999 with the arrival of Top Cat's Incat 050 fast ferry.
The Interislander fought back, bringing in a Condor Vitesse the following summer. Although the boat was smaller than Top Cat's it could carry 150 more passengers.
A year later Top Cat folded, citing unfair competition from the Interislander as its reason for pulling out.