Initial concept: A prototype of the Geelong company’s sea-skimmer, built in China in 2008.
By Michelle Herbison
COMMUTERS and tourists are set to skim over water between Geelong and Melbourne in an Australian-first passenger service.
Barry Miller, chief executive officer of Geelong-based Seaskimmer, revealed to the Independent his company was building an eight-passenger “wing-in-ground-effect” craft at a secret factory in the city.
The vessel would take passengers from Limeburner’s Point to Port Melbourne’s Beacon Cove in 25 minutes for $70 return.
Mr Miller said Seaskimmer planned to begin operations by Christmas.
The 14-metre-long vessel with a wingspan of 12 metres would “skim” across the bays two metres above the water surface.
The vessel was a boat rather than an aeroplane and different to a hovercraft, he said.
Russia’s military had used similar craft since the early 1950s but Seaskimmer was the first group to build the vessel for commercial use in Australia.
“I just think they’re extremely efficient and it’s about time someone did it in Australia,” Mr Miller said.
He hoped to provide a service between Geelong and Melbourne every 15 minutes.
“There’ll be a market for at least a dozen of these on Port Phillip Bay. It’s only going to be $35 a head each way, so it’s pretty much open to the average commuter.”
Mr Miller said he hoped businesses and other organisations like banks, hospitals, law courts and blood banks would utilise the service.
Mr Miller estimated the vessels would cost $400 an hour to run.
The company only had to pay vessel-operating costs rather than higher charges associated with aviation.
“Prior to 2008 if you build one of these you’d have to have it registered with the Civil Aviation Authority and that would make it far too expensive to operate.”
Mr Miller said Seaskimmer would use an easily-removable fiberglass modular docking system instead of council or government infrastructure.
The company also planned to build a 23-passenger vessel to operate by July 2014 for travelling to Melbourne in 20 minutes at a slightly cheaper cost.
The Independent reported in 2009 Mr Miller’s initial attempts to begin operating sea-skimming commuter services.
He attributed delays in the project to numerous red tape and technical hurdles.
State Member for Western Victoria David O’Brien asked Planning Minister Matthew Guy in Parliament to consider including the Seaskimmer proposal in an upcoming feasibility study into new bay ferry services.
“I believe that this technology represents an innovative solution and if successful could result in a local design and manufacturing success story,” Mr O’Brien said.
