“I fail to see what all the fuss is about. As a ex. Merchant seaman and someone who has also sailed extensively for pleasure, good luck to them. I used to travel regulary on the Jetfoil between Dover and Oostende, that was a smaller vessel and was very rarely cancelled, even in bad weather”

“Mr.Marrow,Have you ever considered Mushroom farming or perhaps Chicken/Egg farming as an alternative to Marine Consultancy ??”

“My thoughts on the comparison with the MV Balmoral are a little different to those mentioned. Yes this vessel does provide a good 'trip' during the summer.
( I wonder what will happen to the poor thing in future)
However it is that,-----a trip----as you couldn't stay for the length of time you want to stay over in the resort, or choose when you want to visit, as trips are very restricted.
The ferry will enable relations of ours to come for a few days, and for us to visit them likewise.
It's still not the main need though, which is a car ferry.”

“For the inforation of Dave, the catamarans used on the Channel Islands services are large car-carrying craft desighned for passages in open seas, and many times the size of the estuarial passenger craft proposed for the Swansea-Ilfracombe service. Besides the fact that the two fastcats are not really the ideal craft for this run in very exposed waters, one wonders where the passengers are going to come from.
M.V. Balmoral has provided a summer service on this route for many years, andf on a good summer day can attract up to 500 passengers a day on one or two days per week. Itr would be impressive if the new operation could attract ore then this, but I doubt it!
In the reverse direction, I would guess that the taker-up would be very low. Shopping opprtunities in Swansea have been mentioned, but |U doubt whether these are any better than those in Barnstaple or Exeter, which wil still be much easier to access at very considerably less cost, and with none of the hastle at having to disembark at the far end of Swasea docks and then transfer to a bus to the city centre.As Babs said, Time will Tell!”

“Thanks "Local of Ilfracombe". I believe there should always be intelligent open debate on topics such as this. It seems pointless all running round going "wonderful for 'Combe" & then all moaning if it goes wrong. Some people on here don't seem to believe anything negative should be said however. I REALLY DO HOPE THIS VENTURES WORKS OUT. At the end of the day it is the operator's responsibility, but I felt it right (with a few others) to point out these vessels weaknesses. Having said that, this evening I spoke to somebody who worked with these two craft & they feel they probably could physically cope with the route - their concern was more about whether passenger certs for 40 metre lightweight craft will be granted for that route, for year round operation. Apparently one of the Solent engineers has stayed with them - so somebody that already knows their workings must be good. I look forward to hearing the results of the Bristol Channel sea trials shortly & seeing pics of one alongside the remaining bit of (very exposed) pier at 'Combe.”

“Well said, Derek.
We're getting some sense here at last. Your comments, plus Isle of Wight ferry users, and others who know the sea raised valid points, Many issues need discussion and explanation, which is being addressed now, and we wait to see what happens next.”

“Thank you Chris Marrow of Severn Link for realistically answering the doubts I (& others) expressed on another thread on this site (& I believe picked up by The North Devon Journal). I am reassured that the limited capabilities of these two vessels are known - and as long as the service is viewed on a "when weather permits" basis (especially over the winter) - and the travelling public accept that "some days is better than no ferry at all" - then probably it might work (although I still think very uncomfortable on many days!). I don't see coach alternatives being very popular though (or financially viable), as it is surely some 150+ miles by road! It will be VERY interesting to hear what sort of restrictions the MCA place on the passengers certificates issued for these two craft for an exposed sea, all year round operation.Thank you again Chris Marrow for an intelligent response - unlike some people on the various threads on here (on this subject) who simply turn offensive when they sniff what they consider to be a "negative comment" (whether realistic or not).”

“I wouldn't call the comments from the company 'excuses' at all Des.
I would say they have responded to concerns raised and tried to explain, as much as they can, how they intend to deal with the issues.
Coming from a seafaring family, and knowing we have some tricky conditions around this coast, I'm pleased to see that VALID concerns have been replied to in a sensible manner.
I'm also pleased they have ignored 'negitivity for the sake of it' remarks-------It shows they have more sense than some folks who post on here!
I really hope we can get a car ferry ASAP. It's a totally different market from a passenger one, but we must support this initial enterprise or that won't happen.
Show some support folks, do.”

“I see they are giving us excuses before they even start.

Doesn¿t bode well dos it?”

“I've lived on the Isle of Wight as long as these Cats have been running. They have to dock on an exposed pierhead half a mile out to sea due to lack of sea depth. When the wind blows very hard from a particular direction, they are difficult to dock safely. This and thick fog lead to most cancellations and in any case I'm not sure who would want to travel at 20 knots in a blinding fog! We depend on these boats and the professionalism of the people who run them to maintain contact with the 'North Island' and they rarely let us down, although their exhaust can be a bit smokey. Good luck to them in their new role.”