Bring Back the Swansea Cork Ferry Campaign – Newsletter 17th Feb 2009

Co-op investment scheme – update
There's been a tremendous amount of interest in the Co-op scheme that we announced last Thursday. In case you've been hiding under a stone and haven't heard about it – the aim is to raise 3 million euro by 300 pledges of ten thousand euro each.... within the space of a week. (We like a challenge!)

There's been a series of well-attended Roadshows around the West Cork region, and there's a Grand Meeting this evening at 8pm in the West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen – at which Pledges will be accepted.

The process is being coordinated by Paul O'Brien (087 7857619 or +353 87 7857619 ) from West Cork Tourism – and if you can't make it to the meeting this evening you are welcome to call Paul to pledge your financial support.

There's more details on our website http://www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com/html/investing.html

All aboard the People's Ferry!
The Co-op will become a major shareholder in the new Ferry company – which meas that, collectively, it will have a large influence over how the service is operated – and Co-op members' investments will be safeguarded.

A good pedigree....
One of the key players in the new Company (and in all the efforts that have got us this far) is Captain Frank Allen, who not only has experience of operating several European ships but is also the son of Charlie Allen, who was a Captain on the old B&I Line – which ran a ferry from Swansea to Cork back in the 1960's.

His commitment and enthusiasm were clear to anybody who saw him speak at the recent Roadshows.
 

Another good pedigree....
The ship currently under consideration for the new service is the Julia, previously the Christian IV. She will be re-registered under an Irish flag, and will carry the name Innisfallen – carrying on the 80-year tradition of having an ship named Innisfallen plying the Swansea-Cork route.

However – the new Innisfallen is a modern vessel, considerably larger than the old Superferry, and with capacity for 1400 passengers in 340 cabins and space for 400 cars (quite a step up from the old Innishannon!)

In order to secure this ship, the funding shortfall of €3m needs to be plugged – and quickly. There's a Meeting in Skibbereen on 17th February at 8pm for investors to pledge their cash – but if you can't make it to the meeting you can always download the Pledge Form from our website and email it to us – or contact Paul O'Brien by phone..

Dates for your Diary
Over the last few weeks, we at the Campaign have been inundated with enquiries about 'when' the ferry service will resume.

Assuming that we can secure the missing funding by means of your Pledges, here's the latest news on dates

Online booking system in operation  -  1st March 2009
First passenger sailing of the Innisfallen – 16th April 2009

These dates take account of the necessary 6 weeks of updating / refits, and allow one week for berthing trials...

Over to you!
Now all that's needed is the cash to fill the funding gap.
If you can possibly help us, please do.
If you cannot run to the whole 10k that we're asking for shares in the Co-op scheme, then consider forming a small syndicate to make up the amount.
If you can offer more than the 10k then please talk to Paul O'Brien as soon as possible (087 7857619 or +353 87 7857619)

There will be other opportunities for investment once the initial capital has been secured – see the 'Investment' section on our website for more details.

If you can make it to the Grand Meeting tonight (17th February) in the West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen then it'd be grand to see you there – and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have before you Pledge.

As always – keep an eye on the website (www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com) for all the latest news...

..and we look forward to welcoming you back to West Cork and Kerry in the very near future!

Adrian Brentnall

CONTACT Paul O'Brien (087 7857619 or +353 87 7857619) from West Cork Tourism – to discuss Pledges...

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