A sea 'monster' arrived on Skegness beach

Written on Tuesday 27th August 2013

A SEA 'monster' from theother side of the Wash arrived on Skegness beach on an historic voyage.

The first passenger ferryfrom Hunstanton arrived on Skegness beach on Friday in just under two hours.

The trip byHunstanton-based Searle's Sea Tours saw their Wizzy the Wash Monster, make it'sfirst landing trip to Skegness as part of a feasibility study which could helpboost the economy in both seaside resorts. As it arrived on North Beach, spectators lined the Pier to watch Wizzycome safely ashore and drop off its passengers which included members of theSearle's family, friends and mascot Captain Willie Wash.

Ifthe project goes ahead, there could be regular passenger ferries operating fromSkegness and Hunstanton.  OperatorWilliam Searle said: "It was perfect and a real joy.  "Whatwill happen now is that we carrying on working on the study until the end ofOctober and we will be discussing with Councillor Carl Macey and his colleagueson the way forward. The actual running of a ferry offers no problem. It comesdown to money and sponsorship to reduce the cost to passengers. "We havealready carried out a survey and have got 500-600 names of people interested incrossing the Wash. The final decision is one for all the directors of SearlesLeisure."

CouncillorCarl Macey has spearheaded the venture to make it a possibility for theLincolnshire coast. He said: "Forging closer links with our neighbours inHunstanton is important to help boost the economy for both towns so that we allbenefit. There could also be a possibility of other trips and tours such as thewindmills and nature reserve. Now we have the permission to land on the beach,if we can get this off the ground it could be up and running early nextyear."

SkegnessMayor, Jim Carpenter, said the amphibious craft itself has provided anadditional attraction to Skegness.  Hesaid: "It is the biggest thing we have seen on this beach apart from thewhales we have had washed up!  It is goodto see it here and fingers crossed we can now make it happen.  It is an attraction and is key to bringing innew people to the area who probably would not come before."

CouncillorPauline Watson, chairman of East Lindsey District Councillor, watched thevessel arrive.  She said: "It is afantastic idea that is now being taken on as a possibility from this trial run.  It would be so wonderful not only as atourist attraction but to improve communication links with Hunstanton. It willalso boost the economy with more visitors arriving from different areas.  Just looking at the number of people herealready for the Bank Holiday weekend justifies the project to go forward."

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