Scoot ferries go bust

[OwlMan]

The Isle Of Wight ferry company Scoot has gone bust after less than a year.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-35141482

A new Isle of Wight ferry company has announced it has gone bust after suddenly cancelling all its sailings.
Scoot Ferries earlier posted a message on its website saying it had received "some very unfestive news" and all services had been cancelled.
It has issued a statement saying it had to "suspend operations with immediate effect" after buyout talks failed.
Chief executive Zoë Ombler said she was "devastated" by the news but was still hopeful the company could recover.
The statement said that David Meany of Ashtons Recovery LLP has been appointed as official receiver and will be applying for a Company Voluntary Arrangement with immediate effect.
Ms Ombler added: "I very much hope that this is not the end for Scoot and believe there is an immediate opportunity to find the necessary investment to allow us to continue to operate."
Earlier in the day customers posting on social media asked the company for more information and complained they had booked journeys and were left waiting.
'Cancelled trips'

The firm started running services between Yarmouth and Lymington, as well as Portsmouth and Cowes, earlier this year.
Matt Green posted on Facebook: "Stuck waiting in Portsmouth with absolutely no info until a kind member of the public directed me to this update.
"Why no info at the waiting area for all the stranded passengers? Unacceptable really. How do we get refunds for the cancelled trips?"
Anna Pocock said: "We only booked a ticket at 10.45 this morning and there was no warning on the website. Turned up at Cowes jetty to find no boat and no news."
Ollie Phillips posted on Twitter: "My wife's birthday surprise is ruined this evening. Please refund my money immediately."
Others offered their support to the company, including Richard Walters who said on Facebook: "I hope that you are able to sort things out."
Ferry services to and from the island are also run by Hovertravel, Red Funnel and Wightlink.

 

[Chris125]

Hardly a surprise to anyone who looked at the history of those behind it, they've already deleted their website along with their facebook and twitter accounts - didn't like people pointing out their track record?

http://www.stilldue.com/local-letterbox-ltd-nicholas-davis/12

 

[richw]

Their website claimed purpose built ferries..... Purpose built for something maybe just not isle of wight. They are quite old and did wind farm services before hand.

Looking at the fares and capacities coupled with an idea of running costs, there is no way the service would turn a profit. Fares I'd seen £2 each way on a ferry with less than 20 capacity so £40 income on a full service.

 

[BestWestern]

A local press report from August detailed how four early morning sailings were cancelled during Cowes week, after staff 'completely forgot they were working'. Booked customers were apparently left waiting with no information whatsoever. I realise this is/was a very small operation, but all staff involved in operating four scheduled ferry crossings 'forgot' they were supposed to be at work?

Reading further, the article then mentions that all booked passengers had been offered refunds and goodwill gestures. It also says how many booked passengers there were - a grand total of four. I think the explanation for this sudden bout of insomnia is contained within. As Jim Royle would say, 'Forgot? My a*se....'.

Three professional operators crossing the Solent is plenty, no need for any amateurs to join in.

 

[richw]

In the last few days they have been doing a season and advance ticket drive, presumably to raise some money fast.

 

[BestWestern]

Nobody could ever be expected to put their faith in a tiny operator who have quickly established a reputation for just not showing up. Foot crossings on the competing runs aren't that expensive; admittedly you won't get a ticket for four quid but I think that's so cheap it would raise suspicion in most sensible people's minds. Fifteen pounds or so for the catamaran or the hovercraft isn't that pricey, in my opinion.

 

[jon0844]

A local press report from August detailed how four early morning sailings were cancelled during Cowes week, after staff 'completely forgot they were working'. Booked customers were apparently left waiting with no information whatsoever. I realise this is/was a very small operation, but all staff involved in operating four scheduled ferry crossings 'forgot' they were supposed to be at work?

I hear the boss has since been asked by GTR to arrange staff for Sunday services into Moorgate.

 

[BestWestern]

I hear the boss has since been asked by GTR to arrange staff for Sunday services into Moorgate.

They don't call them 'safe sundays' for nothing ya know!