Youth group 'banned' from ferry

Seacat has banned the 174 youth group

Passengers hoping for a smooth sailing on the Belfast Seacat to Troon were sorely disappointed after a storm was whipped up - inside the vessel.

Scotland-bound travellers told the BBC they were "terrorised" after members of a youth group allegedly became threatening and abusive.

Seacat management said the teenagers had thrown bottles at passengers, while a youth club leader said they were simply throwing sweets.

Seacat has now banned the youth group from its vessels following the incident on Thursday.

This decision was taken, following many passenger complaints, regarding threatening and abusive behaviour from the group and the police have been advised

Seacat

The young people, from the 174 youth group, became aware of their censure as the ferry sailed off on its return trip to Belfast as they watched forlornly from the dock in Troon.

The passengers who contacted the BBC to complain said they felt intimidated and frightened.

In a statement issued on Friday, Seacat said the incidents had been serious. 'Unacceptable'

A spokesperson said: "Passenger safety is our top priority and where this is compromised, immediate action will be taken.

"The party concerned were not allowed back onto the ship last night and will never be allowed to travel with Seacat again.

"This decision was taken, following many passenger complaints, regarding threatening and abusive behaviour from the group and the police have been advised."

The only time they were told they were not allowed to travel was when they were standing outside the terminal building in Troon as the boat sailed off

John McVicker
174 group

Seacat said it warned the group on several occasions that their behaviour was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.

"Despite these warnings, the group continued to upset, abuse and threaten passengers," said the spokesperson.

"The group leaders were contacted and asked to take control of their party. They advised staff on board that they unable to do so."

The leader of the 174 group, John McVicker, who was not involved in the trip to Scotland, said he rejected Seacat's allegation that serious incidents occurred.

"The leaders have indicated that there were a number of incidents," he said.

"When they were approached they dealt with the incidents, and their understanding is that they dealt with them satisfactorily.

"They were not advised by Seacat that they could not return on the boat. The only time they were told that was when they were standing outside the terminal building in Troon as the boat sailed off."

Asked about the allegations of bottle throwing, Mr McVicker said: "Our understanding is that boiled sweets were thrown."

He said the group would be asking Seacat management a number of questions about the incident.

"There are letters going out from the parents of all the children, asking Seacat about a number of issue.

"We have asked a number of our political representatives to make representations to Seacat on our behalf," he said.

The 174 youth group has no connection with the 174 Trust in north Belfast.