SeaCat was a marketing name used by Sea Containers (SeaCo) ferry operating subsidiaries Hoverspeed, Sea Containers Ferries (Scotland), and Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for services operated by InCat built 74/81m catamarans from 1992 – 2004. The SuperSeaCat marketing name was later used for services using Fincantieri built MDV 1200 monohull fast-craft. The last SeaCat service between Northern Ireland and Scotland was operated by the 81m InCat SeaCat Rapide from Toon to Belfast, leaving Troon at 19:30 on Monday 1st November 2004. Just over a year later, sister vessel SeaCat Diamant operated the last Hoverspeed service on 7th November 2005 between Calais and Dover.
A photographic look back at some of the ferries which have operated to or within Northern Ireland, including those which operated both for present operators and those which no longer exist. Part 4 focuses on the Isle of Man Steam Packet and Seacat.
Take a look back at some of the ferries which have operated to NI. In part 3 we take a look at some of the ferries of Merchant Ferries, Norse Irish Ferries, Belfast Car Ferries, Belfast Freight Ferries, Norfolk Line, DFDS, and Seatruck.
Hoverspeed Great Britain was the first of Hoverspeeds 74m long car-carrying catamarans, dubbed “SeaCat”‘s. Find out more here.
P&O Ferries Express has completed her final sailing for the company, also potentially the final fast-craft sailing between Scotland & Northern Ireland
SEACAT SCOTLAND was 5th and final of Hoverspeed’s 74m “Seacat” car carrying catamarans built by International Catamarans (InCat) in Australia. She was launched on the 29th October 1991 and inaugurated the new Belfast – Stranraer service on 1st of June 1992.
