Kangaroo Island SeaLink

Kangaroo Island SeaLink is a South Australian ferry company and tour operator owned by SeaLink Travel Group, which has plied the crossing from mainland South Australia to Kangaroo Island since 1989. From 1989 to 1994, Kangaroo Island Sealink was owned by the Malaysian company MBF. In 1994 the company was sold to a consortium of staff members and Kangaroo Island residents. SeaLink's two currently operating ferries, Sealion 2000 and Spirit of Kangaroo Island, cross Backstairs Passage from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw in about 45 minutes, up to 10 times daily.

This article is about the ferry company. For other uses, see Kangaroo Island (disambiguation).
See also: Kangaroo Island ยง Sea transport

Kangaroo Island SeaLink
Founded1989
Area served
Backstairs Passage
Revenue$54.1 million (June 2015)
ParentSeaLink Travel Group
Websitewww.sealink.com.au
Sealion 2000 arriving at Penneshaw in November 2007

SeaLink had acquired the previous ferry service founded by Peter March. Its first vessel was Philanderer 3, the first of March's vessels to carry vehicles. In later years, the company operated the Island Navigator (purchased 1990), also a car carrying ferry, as the designated freight and fuel carrier.

SeaLink has outlasted several competing companies since it began operations. Boat Torque, a Western Australian company, operated Superflyte from 1994 until 1997, whilst Kangaroo Island Ferries had a short-lived venture with SeaWay, from September 2004 until February 2005. Under different ownership, SeaWay recommenced services in August 2007, before its operations were suspended in May 2008 and an administrator appointed shortly thereafter.[1]

SeaLink holds a virtual monopoly on oversea transport, primarily due to its long term lease of the Cape Jervis berth. SeaLink's agreement with the Government of South Australia, expiring in 2024, precludes other operators from utilising the Cape Jervis facility for one hour before, and one hour after any scheduled SeaLink service. Kangaroo Island residents have expressed displeasure with the exclusive arrangement granted to SeaLink.[2]

SeaLink had state government subsidies with respect to its freight charges, which ended in 2003.

References
  1. "Ferry for sale". The Islander News. 19 June 2008. Archived from the original on 1 January 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
  2. "Kangaroo Island residents unhappy about ferry agreement". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 7 August 2002. Archived from the original on 26 September 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2007.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.