A Highland cruise firm has added a new £1.5million vessel to its fleet to meet rising demand for tourist trips on Loch Ness.
The Spirit of Loch Ness catamaran, which can carry 220 people, will join two other boats and three high speed RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) operated by Cruise Loch Ness, increasing the Fort Augustus-based company’s overall passenger capacity by 30%.
Built in the south of England by Exeter Fabrications, the vessel is currently undergoing final sea trials in Dartmouth before embarking on a 600-mile journey up the west coast to the loch.
The cruise company turned to the English fabrication firm after three Scottish ship yards it approached said they could not build the boat in the required timescale.
Cruise Loch Ness managing director, Ronald Mackenzie, said: “As an owner-operated business, we had the opportunity to custom design the new vessel and fine tune the details with Australian boat designer, Incat Crowther.
“Welcoming the Spirit of Loch Ness to our fleet will help us streamline the business, meet increased customer demand and provide a higher level of customer service for our passengers.”
The Spirit of Loch Ness, which will replace an older, smaller vesse, and is equipped with 15 sonar monitors, will start operating from Easter.
The number of passengers carried by Cruise Loch Ness increased by 30,000 to 150,000 last year, compared to 2016.
