SeaLink CEO says the company’s new vessel should please ‘the vast majority’
Bruny Island ferry company SeaLink has urged ferry-goers to stick by it as it looks to streamline its service following the launch of its newest vessel.
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BRUNY Island ferry company SeaLink has promised travellers and residents it is working to streamline and improve its service following issues with the launch of its newest vessel.
But the call by new SeaLink chief executive Clint Feuerherdt hasn’t convinced the Bruny Island Ferry Reference Group, which said problems still needed to be fixed.
SeaLink launched its Nairana vessel last week, but it had been delayed due to problems berthing at the Kettering terminal.
Mr Feuerherdt acknowledged the launch had teething problems but expected the service to “please the vast majority of the community”.
Mr Feuerherdt also said a second new vessel due to launch early next year would help address traffic demand.
“Traffic management has been a challenge but we think the new faster vessel and quicker loading will assist,” he said. “A booking system due to launch will also help.”
But ferry reference group vice-president Lindon Haigh said he and other community members still held concerns over the Nairana’s vehicle carrying capacity.
“We were told the new vessel fits 20 to 34 vehicles which is nowhere near the 72 vehicles the existing Mirambeena vessel can carry,” he said.
“People on the island were very excited when we saw the Nairana approaching for the first time, but it’s been a bit of a let-down.
“The boat looks good but one of the lanes is very skinny and appears to only allow for small cars. I think there are questions that need answering about why it was built the way it was.”
Mr Haigh said the reference group had been kept in the dark over when the booking system would launch.
“We still have no idea about the booking model. SeaLink won’t sit down with us and talk. You’d think they’d have an idea by now about how the model will look. It’s just another problem on top of the capacity and infrastructure issues.”
Mr Feuerherdt said SeaLink was working on “perfecting its service”.
“We’re somewhat limited in what we can do with the available infrastructure and the road is what it is,” he said.
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“There are obvious conversations about infrastructure that need to be had but the reality is it will need to be dealt with at some point and that really sits in the Government’s court.”
Mr Feuerherdt said it was unlikely the booking system would begin until after the launch of its second new vessel.
james.kitto@news.com.au
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