A second multimillion-dollar catamaran will start carrying tourists in Milford Sound early next year.
The 29m 260-passenger Gem of the Sound, at present being refitted in Brisbane, is scheduled to join Jucy’s 300-person catamaran Maiden of Milford, which has been operating in Milford Sound since 2013.
Jucy’s Southern Lakes general manager Kat van Dijk said passenger numbers were at present less than than 150,000 annually but "over time" she hoped they could double and increase market share, once the Gem comes into service, which is pencilled in for mid-February.
The Gem was recently bought by Jucy in Australia and between $2million and $3million would be spent on the vessel by the time it arrives in New Zealand.
The Maiden and Gem are Jucy’s only tourism vessels in New Zealand.
Ms van Dijk said the refit, including two large glass roofs, open decks at the bow and top level, plus two covered decks and international-standard dining, would make the most of Milford’s natural attractions.
The Maiden had been re-surveyed and its passenger capacity raised from 260 to 300. Annual surveys and maintenance of the Maiden and Gem will be done in Bluff. As well as a large fleet of campervans, Jucy has coaches to carry customers to and from destinations such as Milford Sound and small fixed wing aircraft.
It has plans to build a hotel in central Queenstown by the end of next year.
