Boat strikes blow for commuters

A new river service for commuters is claiming to be the fastest on the Thames.

The 220-seater Hurricane Clipper catamaran, which has a top speed of 27 knots, will take passengers from Mast House Terrace on the Isle of Dogs to Charing Cross embankment in 35 minutes.

Owner Sean Collins, 33, said: "It is the fastest boat on the Thames and one of the biggest in Europe. It's the best way to travel. It's reliable, can speed passengers to their destination in exchange for a modest sum and, more importantly, it's a pleasure to be upon.

"It's a lot more fun than sitting in a cramped train carriage, or being packed like sardines in a Tube carriage and seeing only the brick tunnels. At least you get panoramic views of London."

The 37.8-metre aluminium vessel will run two morning and two afternoon services to augment the fivedaily services already provided by two existing 65-seater catamarans, Storm and Sky.

Come low tides, rain or fog, the vessel promises to remain in service - it is fitted with radars for poor visibility - although crews concede the journeys may then be slower.

The interior is more akin to that of an aeroplane than a boat. Plush blue seats and blinds ensure a comfortable ride, while a bar stocking alcoholic and hot beverages provides refreshments and two plasma screens will enable passengers to catch up on the latest news.

The journey - the catamaran calls at Greenland Pier in Surrey Quays, Canary Wharf, St Katharine's, London Bridge, City, Bankside, Blackfriars and Savoy Pier (Embankment) - costs £4.70 return, 50p dearer than the Underground, and is 10 minutes faster than the equivalent train and Tube trip.

The boat was delivered to Collins River Enterprises last week from Australia, where it took NQEA in north Queensland eight months to build.

It is currently moored at Greenland Pier in Surrey Quays, while engineers and electricians add the finishing touches in time for its launch on 14 February.

Its owners are convinced it will be a success. Collins River Enterprises, which last year carried 250,000 passengers, said demand for water travel was such that a third vessel had to be built. The firm hopes to double passenger numbers this year.

Other commuter services on the river have tried and failed. Last year Thames Speed Service was dropped after just six months because of engine failures and high maintenance costs. Meanwhile, a regular hop-on service along the river is also being considered by Transport for London.

But Mr Collins, 33, from Rotherhithe, says he is not worried. He was a captain with the River Bus Partnership for seven years before it collapsed in the early Nineties due to mechanical problems. He says he knows the Thames intimately.

"People still have to get to work and I have been running a commuter service for three years," he said. "We're getting bigger and better. My aim is to get many more boats running on the river. This is another step in establishing the Thames as a major commuter route. And if any of my crew strike, I shall just get behind the wheel myself."