Seabus’s Kim Sorenson, accountant Daniel Hopgood with investor Andrew Senia at the secret Geelong factory.
By Michelle Herbison
AN AUSTRALIAN-FIRST sea-skimming passenger service will launch in Geelong by February, according to its operator.
Chief Executive Officer of Seabus Barry Miller said recent cold weather preventing fibre-glassing had delayed the building of the revolutionary commuter and tourist vessel beyond its initial Christmas target.
The Independent reported in June that Seabus was building an eight-passenger “wing-in-ground-effect” craft at a secret factory in the city.
The vessel would “skim” two metres above the surface of Corio and Port Phillip bays, taking passengers from Limeburner’s Point to Port Melbourne’s Beacon Cove in 25 minutes for $70 return.
Mr Miller said the 14-metre-long Seabus, with a wingspan of 12 metres, was a boat rather than an aeroplane and different to a hovercraft.
One craft would be ready to operate by February and the building of a second would commence in mid-January, he said.
Mr Miller would soon seek professional fibre-glassers to build numerous vessels.
“It will take six to seven weeks to make each craft with six to seven staff,” he said.
Mr Miller also planned to build a 20-seat Seabus next year.
Geelong lawyer Andrew Senia said he had invested in the “inspirational” project because it had “potential to revolutionise water transport” in the bay and boost Geelong’s economy.
“Imagine skimming over the bay in comfort to Melbourne in approximately 25 minutes without having to wait at a train station or experience the sort of traffic chaos Melbourne recently had,” Mr Senia said.
“Eventually Port Phillip Bay will be crisscrossed with services being expanded to new waterfront destinations, much to the relief of commuters and tourists.”
Mr Senia said the Seabus project was generating jobs in Geelong because its manufacturing and operations were based in the city.
He called on the Victorian Government, City of Greater Geelong and private sponsors to support the project.
“Community support is now needed… the benefits to all Victorians are obvious.”
