SeaCat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| SeaCat Scotland Ferries | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Type | Limited Company |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Belfast, Northern Ireland Northern Ireland |
| Key people | CEO Hamish Ross General Manager Diane Poole. |
| Parent | Sea Containers Ferries |
| Website | http://www.seacat.co.uk |
| Last sailing 1st November 2004. Announcement of closure, 6th February 2005. | |
SeaCat was the marketing name Sea Containers used for its Belfast based company from May 1992 until November 2004.
SeaCat started up operations in May 1992 on the Belfast to Stranraer route. At this time it was the only fast ferry operator on the Irish Sea. In 1999 following a 'diminishing market' on the Stranraer route, SeaCat decided that they would operate a return sailing to Stranraer in the morning and late evening and in the afternoon a service to Troon.
In April 2000 SeaCat finally ironed out all services to Stranraer in favour of Troon. The Company also had a 'bitter fallout' with The Stranraer based Dumfries and Galloway company who said that SeaCat either 'operate a daily service to Stranraer without Troon or any other routes or pack up and get out of the Harbour'. Dumfries and Galloway also offered to help the Company.
In 2002 SeaCat Scotland (at the time 10 years old) who had been the sole ferry used by SeaCo Scotland since 1992 left the Sea Containers Scotland fleet in favour of SeaCo Scotlands sister company's Dover–Calais Hoverspeed routes.
In 2003 P&O Irish Sea announced that they would start a Larne–Troon route. SeaCat retaliated by putting sister company's HSC SeaCat Rapide on to the route. However, SeaCat threatened in November/December 2003 that they were reviewing the service. In January 2004 they said they would give it one more season and then review it.
On Monday 1st November 2004, SeaCat's Belfast–Troon season ended as scheduled with the 15:45 ex Belfast and the 19:30 ex Troon. On Monday 8th November 2004, HSC SeaCat Rapide departed Belfast for the final time at 16:20 heading off to Sunderland, in preparation for a season on Hoverspeed's Dover–Calais service.
On 10th January 2005 SeaCat made the announcement they were reviewing their service and a 'definitive decision' would be made within 30 days. On 6th January 2005, SeaCat announced their service would close.
Contents |
[edit] SeaCat Website
Along with sister company's website Hoverspeed SeaCat's website www.seacat.co.uk is now used by Norfolk Line for their Dover-Dunkirk services.
[edit] SeaCat - Belfast to Heysham
The service commenced in 1997 using HSC SeaCat Danmark. Closed on Wednesday 21st August 2002 as HSC SeaCat Rapides engine caught fire, and the service was never reopened.
[edit] SeaCats plans for 2005
SeaCat, in 2004, had planned to operate HSC SuperSeaCat One on their Belfast-Troon route and also open a Belfast-Liverpool fast ferry service using HSC SeaCat Danmark. Unfortunately these never came to being.
[edit] Terminals
[edit] SeaCat's Belfast Terminal (Still owned by SeaCo)
Many SeaCat signs remain. The terminal is still used 2-3 times a week from around April–October by ex subsidiary the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. They offer services solely to the Isle of Man. However, in May 2006, all 'major' SeaCat signs were removed in favour of IOMSPC signage. The model of SeaCat Scotland (behind the check in desk) was removed just after the announcement of the closure in February 2005, althuogh the IOMSPCo board room contains a model of 'SeaCat Scotland'.
[edit] SeaCat's Stranraer Terminal
Used up until April 2000. Partly demolished in 2003. The walkway used to board the ship by foot passengers was demolished in June 2006. The ticket box for cars boarding still remains to this day including a "SeaCat Hoverspeed" sign.
[edit] SeaCat's Troon Terminal
Used up until November 2004. Lay disused until April 2006, when it was purchased by an unknown buyer who uses it as "Fisherman Training". As of April 2008, the SeaCat Troon Terminal's berth is used by Cargo Vessel bringing in wood. The Vehicle marshalling area is now used to store the wood until a truck comes for its removal to the Ailsa Ship Building site. The Terminal still has 3 signs from SeaCat days.
The interior of the Terminal is basically empty - all that remains is the check in desk and 5 or 6 SeaCat signs lying on the floor - removed by fishermen. Parts of the old bag shelter have fallen to the ground, along with the CCTV camera which is now broken. The terminal is in serious disrepair.
[edit] Fleet
[edit] Vessels used by SeaCat - where are they now?
- HSC SeaCat Danmark now named HSC Pescara Jet, operates on the Adriatic.
SeaCat service: 1997-1999 - HSC SeaCat Scotland now named HSC Al Huda 1, operates in Middle East.
SeaCat service: 1992-2002. Excl 1995. - HSC SeaCat Isle of Man now named HSC Snaefell, still visits SeaCat's Belfast Terminal for the IOMSPC Belfast–Isle of Man service.
SeaCat service: Overhauls of SeaCat Scotland and Oct 2002-Mar 2003. - HSC Hoverspeed Great Britain now named HSC Speedrunner 1 operates in Aegean Sea.
SeaCat service: 2001. - HSC SeaCat Rapide now named HSC Jaume II operates on the Strait of Gilbraltar.
SeaCat service: 2002-2004.
[edit] Replacements for SeaCat
In 2005 there were rumours that Irish Sea Express (now closed) a company formed in April 2005 was to start a Belfast to Troon route using SeaCat Scotland and Emeraude France. However, as Irish Sea Express, who originally used the SeaCat Isle of Man (as Sea Express 1), closed in October 2005 (only 6 months old at the time) this was proven to be impossible.
[edit] See also
- Hoverspeed, a brand for Sea Containers' ferry services across the English Channel.
- High-speed Sea Service (HSS), non-Incat designed fast catamaran, also operated across the Irish Sea.
- SuperSeaCat monohull fast ferries build for Sea Containers, some used in Gulf of Finland for Tallinn-Helsinki service
