Ferry service rescue bid given more time

FUNDRAISERS in Ireland and Wales have been given a new deadline of March 10 to come up with a shortfall in the e3 million needed to relaunch the Cork-Swansea ferry service.

A Finnish bank, which is prepared to bankroll most of the cash to purchase a new ferry, said yesterday it was prepared to give the fundraising effort further time. West Cork Tourism has now reportedly raised e2.6m and is hoping that more pledges from Cork, Kerry and south Wales will enable it to meet the target within the new deadline.

Conor Buckley, chairman of West Cork Tourism, said he was relieved the bank had extended its deadline.

“This is good news as we are now so close and what we needed was time. The final date is now March 10. The urgency of raising the remainder needed to secure the regions’ future cannot be stated enough. The campaign is on its knees at this point for the final pledges. It is do or die at this point,” he said. Captain Frank Allen, who plans to operate the service, was in Finland yesterday where he viewed the proposed earmarked ferry, Julia. The ship is far bigger than the MV Superferry which plied the route until three years ago when its owners, Swansea-Cork Ferries, ceased operations.

The Julia is capable of carrying 1,800 passengers, 400 cars and about 40 freight units.

“She is in very good condition and has been very well maintained,” Capt Allen said.

“She will have to be dry-docked for 14 days for annual maintenance before going into service again.”

Capt Allen said he remained optimistic that a new service will be up an running by next April. It will be called the B+I line. It is estimated that the southwest region has lost about e150m in tourism revenue since the route was closed.

People wishing to make financial pledges to West Cork Tourism are urged to contact co-ordinator Paul O’Brien at 087 7857619 as soon as possible.