A GOOD FERRY SERVICE CAN TRANSFORM ISLAND ECONOMIES.

Earlier this year, the Kelsian Group (formerly Sealink) signed a contract with ferry design group Sea Transport for 2 new 60m ropax cat ferries for Kangaroo Island in South Australia

Interestingly,40 years ago, Sea Transport’s Stuart Ballantyne did a feasibility study of a new ferry to KI. As a result of this study,  Sealink’s first ferry on the KI route, 38 years ago in 1984 was a Sea Transport design, a diminutive 35m and innovative “worlds first offshore ropax catamaran” that eliminated the heavily subsidised Government 80m monohull ferry from the route. The SA Government ferry “Island Seaway” with 29 union crew only lasted one year from the introduction of the small ropax cat and her 5 man crew. The SA government was relieved in more ways than one, of the endless subsidy and union demands.

The interesting thing that this small ferry and it’s frequent daily services had on the island:-

          The island tourism took a giant leap, winning many tourism awards afterwards

          The youth drift to the cities (Adelaide and Melbourne) stopped, as local employment opportunities grew

          The local abbatoirs re-opened

          Land and House Values increased

          The population that had fallen to 2,000, has grown to 5,000 since the new ferry start in 1984

          Government infrastructure spending increased on the island

The Kangaroo Island ferry became the cornerstone company that helped to build and consolidate this large travel group that now has ferry and bus operations in Australia, Singapore and UK

Also of interest to readers, that the latest foam technology system developed over the last 5 years by Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Minova and Seatransport will be incorporated into these new vessels to improve their survivability above and beyond the normal damaged stability criteria.

Interesting what a Scottish ex pat’s influence had on the history of Kangaroo Island, and continues to have.  Yet here in the Scottish western isles we are caught in a time warp that South Australia managed to escape from 38 years ago. It really could and should have been very different. It still can be if there is an ounce of common sense within the Scottish Government. Don’t leave our islanders stranded.

MY COMMENTS

Our island communities need to “escape” as well. Fortunately if they manage to do so they will see a much more efficient service, a more frequent programme and taxpayers will be big winners as well. It would result in lower fares, much lower subsidies ( if any) and a huge boost to the island economies including island tourism. All combined it will create many new opportunities on the island and reverse population drift. The only thing standing in the way? A stubborn Scottish Government that is stuck with monolithic, outdated hugely expensive ships being operated by the mindless inefficiency of CMAL and CALMAC.

I am, as always

Yours for Scotland.

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