A wave of enthusiasm for water transport

IF throwing a stone in water sends out ripples, then a powerful RIB 12-passenger ferry can send out strong waves and positive vibes which may yet wash up on fertile shores for waterside work commuters.

A two-week pilot test of a fast commuter ferry ends today in Galway Bay. It has linked Ballyvaughan in North Clare with Galway city, cutting the usual one-hour commute for Clare residents to just half that, 30 buzzing boat-borne minutes — give or take a few minutes either way for head or tail winds.

According to Ballyvaughan Bay Hop organiser Gwen Ryan, who lives in Clare and works in Galway, the twice-a-day service which they just trialled after several years of plans and dreams “got a 99.9% positive reaction” — and they just missed the 100% rating as one passenger, terrified of the sea, just isn’t going to try it again.