New owner for ferry service

Jon Kirk of Empire Bay became the new owner of the Central Coast ferry service on Friday, August 1.

He purchased the ferry service from previous operator Palm Beach Ferries.

Mr Kirk said he has worked periodically in the industry over 20 years and has come from a 15-year career in corporate restructuring.

He said that his association with Central Coast Ferries will be hands-on and a long-term venture.

"The capital investment, $500,000 in the design and construction of a low-wash, high-speed catamaran, represents a huge commitment," he said.

"In the space of 16 weeks, I sold my home in Queensland, purchased a home locally, purchased the ferry service, and built a new boat."

"The other skipper, Paul Aarts, has been in the industry all his life," he said.

"I'm very happy to have him."

Mr Kirk said that positive changes had been made to the service.

"We have extended the timetable to cater for commuters and to connect with train services at Woy Woy.

The first service departs at 5.25am and the last at 7.10pm.

The inter-wharf fares have also been restructured.

"We're not charging excessively for the two-minute service from Empire Bay to Davistown RSL," he said.

The club has also made courtesy buses available for this service.

The 12.30pm service now also incorporates a scenic cruise around St Hubert's Island which connects with the normal run.

"We're aiming to keep the ferry running on time above anything else.

"The message to the local community is that we're friendly and reliable," he said.

Con Orfanos, October 1