THE future of SeaCat's operations between the Province and Scotland is in serious doubt.

Just a year ago, in a bid to reduce its overheads and improve profitability,the company switched to a seasonal operation - effectively closing its
Belfast-Troon service during the winter months.

"However, despite taking these steps, the company has continued to sustain
an unacceptable level of trading loss, which with the significant rise in
fuel prices and the weak market caused by the growth of budget airlines
between Northern Ireland and Scotland, there is little prospect for
improvement," said a SeaCat company statement.
"Over the next month we will discuss the route's future with staffing
representives and Trade Union officials and seek to ensure that all
comments, views and suggestions are considered.
"We realise that this announcement will be met with disappointment, but there can be no doubt that we cannot continue to sustain the levels of loss
and must review the operation." Diane Poole, General Manager of SeaCat, the company which pioneered fast
ferry travel on the north Irish Sea corridor, conceded that the future was looking bleak.
"SeaCat were the pioneers of fast craft travel on the Irish Sea in 1992. Since then the travel industry has undergone immense change. Increased
competition from budget airlines and spiralling fuel costs leave no option but to review the future of the operation."

She paid tribute to staff and customers for their support - in 2004 alone SeaCat service carried 72,876 vehicles and almost 303,000 passengers despite
the difficult trading conditions.
Former Stormont Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey urged the company to examine all marketing strategies available to them to attract more passengers.
"At a time when we are trying to fast-track tourism the closure of any route in and out of the Province is a blow. But as this consultation process
begins I would urge everyone involved to explore all marketing strategies open to them."
Meanwhile, the General Consumer Council said it was not surprised by the announcement, pointing to its 2004 report, Summer Sailing, which highlighted
the intense competition betweeen ferry companies and no-frills airlines. But said that any future closure of the SeaCat service would lead to reduced
passneger choice.
Alan Walker, Head of Consumer Affairs at the Consumer Council, said: "SeaCat
is subject to the normal competitive pressures from other ferry and airline operators to Scotland.
"However, in addition, its vessels on the route do not carry freight which is an important source of revenue to the Northern Ireland ferry industry all
year round.
"This announcement will concern Northern Ireland travellers and all those connected with SeaCat's Belfast to Troon service. We will be meeting the
company to discuss the detail and impact of this announcement." The Consumer Council recalled that SeaCat was the first ferry company to
operate a high speed service from Northern Ireland to Scotland in 1992; and this prompted major improvements to the standard of all ferry services, with
Stena Line and P&O also both introducing fast ferry services that reduced journey times and brought higher quality vessels.