SeaLink Travel Group (SLK: ASX) (SeaLink) has welcomed into Sydney the arrival of its largest and fastest catamaran ferry. The commuter ferry join's the Captain Cook Cruises fleet and will help meet a growing demand for services on Sydney Harbour.

MV Capricornian Sunrise is one of five Capricornian class vessels owned by SeaLink. The 400-passenger vessel is equipped with four jet engines and is not only fast, efficient and reliable but is extremely manoeuvrable with three boarding points, allowing for rapid embarking and disembarking of passengers.

According to SeaLink Travel Group, Managing Director, Jeff Ellison, “MV Capricornian Sunrise will add capacity to the existing Captain Cook Cruises Sydney Harbour fleet and allow us to accommodate more passengers on our Watson's Bay, Manly, White Bay and Parramatta to city services, which have quadrupled in numbers over the last year.”

“We attribute the success and popularity of all these routes to the ease and speed of which we can transport commuters into the city, especially during Sydney's busy peak times. It only takes 15 minutes by ferry from Watsons Bay to Circular Quay, compared to at least 40 minutes driving and competing with the chaotic traffic.

The recent opening of Barangaroo and the Wynyard Walk also allows us opportunities to add new routes and additional services from our King Street Wharf No.1 jetty.”Continues Mr Ellison.

In mid-December Captain Cook Cruises will also unveil a unique and pioneering class of light ferry. These ferries will serve key tourism locations in the Bays Precinct such as the International Convention Centre, White Bay Passenger Terminal and the Sydney Fish Market.

Accommodating 60 passengers, these fast, low wash, fuel efficient vessels are built to provide high frequency and low cost services to meet the growing needs of tourists and Sydney residents alike.

SeaLink's growth plans centre on developing innovative and creative marine transport solutions that solve the rapidly changing needs and requirements of commuters and visitors to iconic locations in Australia such as Sydney Harbour.

Mr Ellison said, “We see opportunities to expand our services in Sydney even further by adding additional Capricornian ferries to the Harbour in the future”.

-ENDS-

For more information please call: 

Brooke Tolar, Public Relations, SeaLink and Captain Cook Cruises, 0411 553 246, pr@captaincook.com.au

Carla Schaefer, Investor Relations, SeaLink Travel Group, 0409 101 188 or carla@sealink.com.au

About SeaLink Travel Group  

SeaLink Travel Group is one of Australia's most dynamic tourism and transport companies bringing the nation's best tourism experiences to the world. With 1,100 staff across the country servicing six million customers annually with a fleet of 73 vessels (plus 3 under construction) and 32 coaches, the Adelaide-based company has undergone a remarkable period of growth, emerging as a significant player on the national tourism and transport scene.

SeaLink's operations extend across New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia, and includes:

• Ferry and barging services in South East Queensland and Gladstone in Queensland
• Cruises, ferry and charter services on Sydney Harbour and on the Murray River
• Passenger ferry service in Townsville, Queensland and Darwin, Northern Territory and Western Australia
• Lunch and dinner cruises in Perth, Western Australia
• Passenger, vehicle and freight service between Kangaroo Island and the South Australian mainland
• Day tours, extended touring and charter operations on Kangaroo Island and around South Australia
• Tour wholesaler to the travel trade
• Exclusive 4WD foreign language adventure based tours
• Retail travel agencies in Adelaide, Sydney and Townsville
• Adventure, accommodation and restaurant at Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island

SeaLink listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in October 2013.