Catamaran serves up bay cruises

The restaurant cruiser will operate in Cardiff Bay

The first purpose-built passenger boat to cruise Cardiff Bay since the barrage was created will soon be offering gourmet cruises to its passengers.

Built at a Welsh boatyard at Ynyslas near Aberystwyth, the restaurant cruiser aims to provide all-year round cruises for visitors wishing to see the bay and other Cardiff city centre sites.

The project, which will be launched later this summer is the brainchild of Roger Meredith and Steve Woodward, directors of Cardiff Bay Cruises, which already operates smaller trips around the 200-hectare freshwater lake.

"This is a first for the bay and a major commercial opportunity for us," said Mr Meredith, a former Merchant Navy captain.

"We have always recognised the enormous potential of the bay for this sort of enterprise as we now have a large expanse of flat water with superb views and access to the rivers Taff and Ely."

Facilities offered afloat are for seminars, as well as dining

Top class all year dining, promoting a wide range of mainly Welsh produce, will be available on the cruiser which will head up the river Taff as far as the Millennium Stadium.

The company has had the support of several agencies for the project - including a Welsh Assembly investment grant and backing from Finance Wales.

As well as offering gourmet dining for tourists, the company also plans to attract conferences and seminars, and themed events like jazzed cruises or even weddings.

The cruiser itself is an 18 metre steel catamaran capable of carrying up to 70 people.

Its designs have been computer-generated by Don Fullerlove's Aberystwyth boatyard for the constraints of the shallow waters of the bay and the nearby rivers.

"It's quite nice to be involved in the first passenger boat since the bay was created," said Mr Fullerlove.

Dining experience

"It will be propelled by twin 180hp engines and water jets, for a quiet operation."

The project has also been welcomed by Cardiff Harbour authority.

"This enterprising company has shown confidence in the bay by making this major investment in a new and exciting dining experience," said Councillor Marion Drake, cabinet member for culture and sport.

Cardiff Bay was created four years ago when the barrage was built at the end of a massive development project to regenerate the former docklands.