Anderson Boat Cruises to launch new Lymington to Yarmouth ferry service
A FERRY company is preparing to take on Wightlink by expanding its passenger service between Lymington and the Isle of Wight.
Anderson Boat Cruises has been running its tripper boat, the Coral Star, between the town and Yarmouth for several years as a small-scale operation.
Now it is getting ready to operate a 100-plus-seat catamaran after teaming up with finance professional Magnus Gundersen, founder of Balder Capital Ltd.
The craft will be closer to Lymington Town train station as it will serve Town Quay rather than the main ferry terminal.
The cruise company is currently in contact with South Western Trains and the Southern Vectis bus company on the Island in an effort to link up services for commuters and students travelling to and from Brockenhurst Collage.
The vessel is currently being built by Blyth Catamarans Ltd in Essex and is expected to start work in the spring of 2024.
It will run all year round, with earlier and later crossings than those currently available, and be fitted with a bar and food offering, along with inside seating and a sun deck.
A spokesperson for Yarmouth-based Anderson Boat Cruises, which is run by Tim and Michelle Anderson, said the company is committed to “maintaining our excellent customer service and local family run, friendly reputation”.
He said: “We love the reception we have had with The Coral Star in both Lymington and on the Isle of Wight.
“And we are looking forward to providing an alternative competitive service for people in the New Forest area and on the island.
“We are a local family business, whose owners have been in and around the area for decades, and understand what local people want.”
He added: “It’s quite surprising the amount of students who travel from the island.
“Brockenhurst College has approached us in the past, so we will be talking to them as well as to the train company.”
The Coral Star, which seats 62 passengers, provided trips to and from Lymington’s Saturday market before stepping into the breach to provide daily ferry crossings during the pandemic.
Wightlink had been forced to suspend its ferry sailings for this route amid tough restrictions.
A competition is currently running on Facebook to name the new company. Visit www.facebook.com/thecoralstar
