Daily sight-seeing excursions around the harbour

Press, 25 October 1985, Page 19

Daily sight-seeing excursions around the harbour

Lyttelton now boasts a 1%-hour cruise service from 10.30 a.m. to mid-day, and 2 to 3.30 p.m. every day. The Reo Moana, which carries 91 passengers, is a 15m vessel run by Friendship Tourist Cruises, of Picton. It was recently sailed to Lyttelton from Picton for this service. She is berthed at the inner harbour alongside the Diamond Harbour launch.

Friendship Tourist Cruises, which was founded in Picton, runs a successful water taxi, and launch service in the Marlborough Sounds.

“Lyttelton looked like the most likely place to come to after our successful run in Picton,” said Mr Roger Jackman who, with his brother, Mr Peter Jackman, is a co-owner of Friendship Tourist Cruises.

For 34 one can enjoy a launch trip out to the entrance of Lyttelton Harbour, and across to Diamond Harbour. From there the cruise takes you out to take views of Ripa Island, Quail Island and back to Lyttelton. “We can drop people off at all those three points to enjoy a picnic on Quail Island, or a filling lunch at Godley House in Diamond Harbour,” said Mr Jackman.

“They can enjoy a day in the sunshine before I pick them up again by the two o’clock sailing,” he said.

Outside the usual cruise times, Friendship Tourist Cruises does “specials” for parties. “A group of say 30 may want to go to Godley House for dinner or as guests to a wedding at Godley House — we can do all that.”

In Picton, a wedding took

place on one of the Friendship launches. l! lt’s not common-place, but it does happen,” said Mr Jackman.

Passengers wishing to book may phone Mr Jackman at Lyttelton 7320, or write to: Friendship Tourist Cruises, Post Office Box, 137, Christchurch.

Mr Jackman shifted to Lyttelton with his wife to start the business.

“We’re looking forward to getting the service under way,” Mr Jackman said, adding that, being a Timaru man, he is happier to be further south.

What does he hope to do in the future?

“I’d like to see how we go in the first few years, but there is some hope to expand, should everything work out,” he concluded.