Owners 'reluctantly' sell Fouveaux Strait ferry service

The owners of Stewart Island Marine yesterday announced the "reluctant" sale of its Foveaux Strait ferry business to newcomers Stewart Island Xperience.

The Foveaux Express ferry service, which operates between Bluff and Stewart Island, has been sold to the Stewart Island Xperience joint venture owned by Phil and Sharan Caskey and Real Journeys.

"We just couldn't compete with the big boys ... they'd have swept us under the carpet," Stewart Island Marine spokesman Ian Munro said.

However, Real Journeys chief executive Dave Hawkey said Stewart Island Marine had approached them about buying the business.

In June, Stewart Island Xperience unveiled its plans for several new tourism ventures based at Bluff and Stewart Island.

Mr Munro said the new company would employ all staff presently employed with the company and would continue to offer similar services. The change of ownership is effective from August 28.

Stewart Island Marine, which has operated the service for 14 years, is owned by Mr Munro and his wife Sue, Bid and Ernie Hopkins and Colin and Margaret Hopkins.

The owners had been reluctant to sell the business but felt they could not compete with the resources of the new player, Mr Munro said.

"We couldn't have operated without the great staff we've had and the support we've had from Southland businesses and the Stewart Island and Bluff communities."

Mr Munro said they wished the new owners well with their "bold new plans".

Mr Hawkey said Stewart Island Xperience had originally planned to operate a competing service before being approached by Stewart Island Marine about buying Foveaux Express.

The joint venture wanted to develop the Stewart Island market in a sensitive manner, as well as continuing to service the local community who live and work on the island, he said.

The two existing ferries would continue doing the strait crossing and charter work respectively, while a third ferry would be brought in for Stewart Island tours.

"We're taking over the existing business in a seamless manner," Mr Hawkey said.

- NZPA